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Diamond carat weight plays a significant role in determining the value and visual appeal of a diamond. In this post, I will explore the factors that contribute to carat weight, its influence on the diamond’s appearance, and how select the perfect carat weight for your engagement diamond.
The largest diamond ever found
The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905, holds the record as the largest
diamond ever unearthed. Weighing 3,106.75 carats, it tipped the scale at over one and a
third pounds. Experts cut the Cullinan into seven major stones and 96 smaller pieces.
Today, several gems from the original Cullinan are featured in the British Crown Jewels,
adding history and sparkle to the royal collection..
The basics of diamond carat weight –
and a money-saving strategy
A carat (ct.) is a unit of measurement specifically used to describe the weight of a diamond or gemstone.
It’s important that you don’t confuse the term (ct.) with the term karat (kt.). One has to do with weight
and the other purity of gold.
The weight of smaller diamonds is often expressed as points. There are 100 points in a carat. A fifty point diamond is a half carat.
Larger diamonds are rare and carry much higher prices than smaller ones. For example, a single diamond weighing two carats, with the same color, clarity, and cut as two one-carat stones, is much more valuable than those two stones combined.
Only about 20 percent of all rough diamonds are good enough for jewelry. Most are set aside for industry, where they help make things like saw blades, drill bits, and polishing tools for lenses.
When rough diamonds are cut, they lose about 40 to 60 percent of their original weight.
Did you know…
The word “carat” traces its roots to the carob seed, which early merchants relied on for its
steady weight when measuring precious stones. As tools advanced, jewelers started using
mechanical balances, then moved to electric scales for more exact readings. Today, most
diamonds are measured on digital gem scales, giving precise carat weights every time.
A money-saving strategy
Imagine choosing between two natural diamonds.
The first is 1.00-carat with a price tag of $8,000. The second weighs in at 1.10 carats and costs $8,600.
The question is, does it make sense to spend $600 more for an extra tenth of a carat?
In this case, the answer is no.
The 1.00-carat option gives you better value for your money.
The reason is simple: the size difference between these two diamonds is so small that it’s almost impossible to spot with the naked eye. If each stone were handed to you separately, you’d have a tough time picking out which one is larger.
Remember, a carat measures weight, not how big the diamond looks.
Even though you get a little more weight with the 1.10-carat stone, most of that weight sits within the diamond, hidden from view. The extra 10 points are not likely to catch anyone’s eye.
It’s better to use the $600 on something that has more impact.
I would upgrade to a higher color grade, an eye-catching mounting, or a diamond with perfect proportions that sparkles from every angle.
These changes are visible every day and make a real difference.
Diamond Tip
A diamond seems larger on a smaller finger. For example, a 1.5 carat solitaire stands
out more on a size 5 finger compared to a size 8. The same diamond catches the
eye in a different way, depending on the finger it sits on.
