In this four part series we will look at the Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut of diamonds. This first in the series will be all about Carat.

Diamond Carat measures the weight of a diamond. A metric carat is defined as 200 milligrams.

3.05 Carat VS1 Center Diamond Ring

A carat is divided into 100 points, which allows measurement to be more precise to the 100th decimal point.

1.52 Carat VS1 Asscher Cut Center Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring

Did you know that there is a term in the industry called “magic sizes”. This refers to diamonds that are just under 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 carats and so on. Market prices raise at these carat markers, because everybody wants that one carat or two carat diamond. If you were to buy a .98 carat diamond, for example, you are getting the relatively same face size of diamond, but paying less (of similar quality).

.98 Carat VS1 Center Diamond Ring

Carat is abbreviated CT or Ct. for a single diamond. If you see CTW, that is the abbreviation for Carat Total Weight (some places will also use CTTW). This refers to the total diamond carat weight for the piece of jewelry.

2.11 CTW Diamond 18 Karat Gold Ring

See Part 2 of our 4 C’s of Diamonds – Clarity