DIAMOND CARAT

What is Diamond Carat?

The term "carat" goes back to the traders of the ancient world. A standard weight was required for precious gems as merchants of the ancient Mediterranean and Middle East were dependent on the ability to trade with a reasonably consistent unit of measurement. It was this need that lead to the adoption of seeds and grains as widespread accepted units of measurement.

A diamond's weight is represented in carats. Carat is a measurement of weight, NOT size. Weight impacts the price most dramatically out of the various diamond characteristics. This is why some diamonds have poor cut to retain diamond rough and larger carat size equating to a higher selling price. Diamond size is dependent on your budget and needs to be considered equally with the other characteristics of colour, cut and clarity in order to purchase a quality diamond. 

The Value of the Diamond is affected by its Weight:-

It is important to be aware that while the term carat refers to a diamond's weight, it does not refer to its dimensions or shape. The carat weight of a diamond can have an effect on its dimensions and shape, but neither the dimensions nor the shape is wholly dependent on the carat weight. For example, you could find yourself looking at two diamonds that look equal in size as you look down upon them. This does not mean that they have the same carat weight, however. A diamond can be cut to look larger than it is, through increasing its diameter and decreasing its depth, or through other cut techniques. The term carat is used to reference the diamond's actual weight, nothing more and nothing less.

Diamond carat weight affects the price of diamonds more than any other determinant. A diamond that is double the size of another diamond can be up to four times the price. This significant movement in price is because of the relative scarcity of larger diamonds. A combination of a large size (1 carat+) with the best colour (D), best clarity (IF) and excellent/ideal cut is so rare the price is multiplied several times when comparing a similar size with poorer features. 

Selecting Diamond Carat:-

The popular carat sizes are 0.50ct, 0.75ct, 1.00ct, 1.50ct and 2.00ct. Often diamond cutters will leave more rough diamond in order to achieve a larger carat weight and achieve a higher selling price. There are often bargains to be found at just under these most popular sizes and many of these bargains can have superior cuts which equate to more diamond sparkle and life. Diamonds with thick to very thick girdles are often intentionally cut to increase weight and this doesn’t improve performance it just costs you more (something to watch for). In recent years, having a 1.00 carat+ diamond was the best and most desired with no regard to quality, but as consumers are educated, (mainly because of the internet), more emphasis is placed on cut and visual performance. In the coming years dinner table diamond talk will be around quality rather than size and this could be something to consider.

Determine how much money you have to spend, and then decide on the cut of the diamond.  Once you have these two pieces of information narrowed down, you can start browsing the diamonds in your price range, in the style you want, and find out what diamond carat you are in the market to buy.