This post is about the last of the 4Cs – CARAT WEIGHT. A carat is the unit of measurement specifically used to determine and describe the weight of a diamond or other precious stone. The word ‘carat’ originates from the carob seed, a seed with a uniformity of weight that diamond traders in the past used to use as a counterbalance when weighing gems. A single carat is the equivalent of 0.2 grams, and divided into 100 points.
A diamond grading report will measure the weight of a diamond to the nearest 100th of a carat e.g. a 1 carat diamond has 100 points where as a quarter carat stone has 25 points. In pre-set jewellery diamond weight is divided into fractions and will be graded with their decimal equivalent. Below is a carat weight grading chart:
Many people think that the weight of the diamond is the ‘C’ that determines value. This is not so. If a diamond is of very high quality i.e. the colour, clarity and finish is exemplary then it will be worth more per carat weight. All of these factors must be taken into consideration, and an experienced diamond retailer such as Australia-Diamonds, one of Australia’s foremost diamond retailers, will guide you to your perfect diamond.
