Become an educated expert in diamonds, jewelry, rings, precious metals like platinum and gold as well as gemstones and pearls. Make the best purchase possible with our comprehensive education pages.
Buying diamonds and jewelry can be an overwhelming experience, but that can always be changed. Understanding a piece’s quality and characteristics is straightforward and simple. You can learn here about diamond shapes, diamond cuts, diamond color, diamond calrity, and diamond carat weight.
Our education pages are designed to answer all your questions. It explains how those characteristics influence appearance, and which are more important than others. Once you're done, you'll know everything you need to find your perfect piece.
DIAMOND CARAT WEIGHT
The weight of a diamond is normally delivered in carats. The term carat originated in ancient times when gemstones were weighted against the carob bean. Each bean weighed about one carat. In 1913, carat weight was standardized internationally and altered into the metric system. One carat equals 0.2 grams – a little more than 0.007 ounce. Meaning, it takes 142 carats to equal 1 ounce.
The weight of small diamonds is also frequently declared in points, with one point equaling 0.01 carats. For example, five points is a short way of saying 5/100 of a carat.
HOW DIAMOND CARAT WEIGHT CAN AFFECT VALUE
Diamond carat weight is an extremely important factor in determining its value. Diamonds are valued on a per-carat basis. Larger diamonds are most rarest and in more demand than smaller diamonds of the same quality, so they can be sold for a higher price. A one carat diamond solitaire ring is nearly always more expensive than a diamond ring made up of multiple diamonds that are similar, but smaller, even though they total one carat or more. Diamonds that weigh just under the next full carat are typically less expensive than diamonds passing the full-carat hurdle. A two-carat stone will not necessarily cost twice per carat than a one-carat stone. It could cost much more, like three times. This is because diamonds are rarer in larger sizes, so increases in size can mean disproportionate increases in value. As you take a stone of a particular cut, clarity and color and move its carat weight to the next price category, you may see quite a large increase in the price per carat. This jump gets proportionately larger as the number of carats increases. ns and/or appear very cloudy or milky from the white inclusions, feathers and cracks.
HOW DIAMOND CARAT WEIGHT CAN AFFECT COST
The size of a diamond has the biggest impact on its price and are expressed in the trade as a price per carat. When Diamond carat weight has the biggest impact on the price of a diamond, not only is that true for the overall price of the stone, it is also true for the unit price per carat. That's why a 2 carat diamond is more than double the price of a 1 carat diamond. A diamond of G color and SI1 clarity will be in one category of prices when it is between 0.50 - 0.69 carats. In other words, the "per carat" price will be the same for a G/SI1 diamond of 0.52ct as it would be for a G/SI1 diamond of 0.63ct. If you know the per carat price, you simply multiply it by the carat weight. When you take that same quality Diamond and increase the size to the next price category, which is the 0.70 - 0.89 carat range, the price increase will be approximately $1,100 per carat. Increase to the 0.90 - 0.99 carat range and the price increase will be approximately another $800 per carat. Increase to 1.00 - 1.49 carat range, and the increase will be approximately another $800 per carat. Increase the carat weight to the 1.50 - 1.99 carat range, and the price increase will be approximately $1,200 per carat.
CARAT WEIGHT SCALE
While diamonds are not actual size,the increase in proportion between each is to scale.
Carat is the simplest and only truly objective of the 4C's. Pop a diamond on the scales, if it weighs 0.200 gm then it is a 1.00 carat diamond. A ‘point’ is 1/100 of a carat so 0.25ct is called 1/4ct, 25 points or 25pt.
Everyone knows more Carat weight means more cost. But the surprise is how much more BIG diamonds cost; if you double the weight then the cost is about 4 times more. You know that Carat weight equals size? Wrong! The two diamonds in the picture on the right are the same size or diameter; each stone could be cut from the rough diamond. But because of its heavier ‘magic’ one carat weight the dull stone sells for more than the sparkly one.
Economically it’s typical and tempting for a cutter to leave a little more weight on the crown, pavilion (the top and the bottom) and the girdle as it can push the stone to the next ‘magic weight'. On Pricescope you will learn about tools like HCA, the Ideal-Scope and the ASET that can help you choose wisely. You can post questions about specific stones on the Rocky Talky Forum.
The magic weights are as follows: 1/2ct, 3/4ct, 90 points, 1ct, 1.5ct, 2ct etc. ‘Under-sizes' are diamonds that weigh just below a magic weight; they can be a bargain, but there are a lot less to choose from.
