Diamond Carats Explained

Quite simply, a ‘carat’ is the measure of how much a diamond weighs. One carat is equal 200 milligrams. Each carat can be subdivided into 100 points; in fact jewellers often refer to diamonds in these terms. So, a jeweller may refer to a diamond that weighs 0.1 carats as a ‘10-pointer’.

The diamond industry considers carat weight the main factor in determining the value of a diamond.

This is because larger diamonds generally cost more than smaller ones. However, this is not always the case. This is because cut, colour and clarity can also have a big impact on the value of a diamond.

As a result, two diamonds of the same carat weight may vary dramatically in worth; a fact determined by extreme differences in the aforementioned colour, cut, or clarity.

Carat weight, size and price

Carat weight is not always an indication of a diamond’s size. Indeed, the shape and cut of the stone in question will also play a large part in determining how small or large it appears.

A diamond with a lengthened shape (those with a Marquise cut being a prime example) may appear larger than one of the same weight with a rounder shape.

Nonetheless, a diamond that is twice the size of another one may be four times as valuable. This is because larger diamonds are rarer and therefore in higher demand than smaller stones.

Price per carat is therefore one of the best ways to compare the costs of diamonds with similar carat weights. To calculate price per carat of a particular stone, divide the cost of each diamond by its carat weight.