Diamond Carat Weight
Often misunderstood, a diamond’s carat weight isn’t its physical size but rather a measure of its weight, with one carat equaling 200 milligrams. Alongside cut, colour, and clarity, carat weight is one of the four C’s used to assess a diamond’s quality and value.
How Big Is A Carat?
Centuries ago, diamond traders used the seeds of the Carob tree to estimate diamond weight before the introduction of scales and standardised units. In 1913, the modern metric carat was adopted globally, ensuring consistency in diamond weight measurement worldwide. A single carat weighs 200 milligrams, with each carat further divided into 100 points, allowing precise measurements to the thousandth decimal place. Jewellers often describe diamonds weighing less than one carat using points alone. For example, a diamond weighing 0.25 carats may be referred to as a “twenty-five pointer” by the jeweller.
Does Carat Weight Solely Determine A Diamond's Size Appearance?
Carat weight isn’t the only factor influencing a diamond’s size perception. Alongside carat weight, elements like cut, shape, and proportion significantly impact how large a diamond appears. A well-cut diamond can give the illusion of being larger, while a poorly-cut one may seem smaller. For instance, even though they both weigh one carat, an oval diamond’s elongated shape can make it appear larger than a round diamond of the same weight.
Understanding The Impact Of Diamond Carat Weight On Price
Carat weight significantly influences a diamond’s price. Generally, as carat weight increases, so does the price, as larger diamonds are rarer and more desirable. However, the impact of carat weight on price varies depending on the other three factors. For instance, a smaller diamond with exceptional cut, colour, and clarity may command a higher price than a larger diamond with inferior qualities. Therefore, while carat weight is important, it’s essential to consider all four C’s together when determining a diamond’s price.
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