Carat Weight
Carat refers to a diamonds weight. They are divided into 100 points.
For example, a one carat diamond weighs 100 points and a 1/2 carat weighs 50 points (.50 carat).
Carat weight is often referred to as the size of a diamond. Diamonds are distributed based on their weight and sorted into weight categories.
Weight categories:
- Quarters: .25 carat or 24 – 29 points
- Thirds: .33 carat or 30 – 39 points
- Two-fifths: .40 carat or 40 – 49 points
- Half carat: .50 or 50 – 59 points
- Three-fifths: .60 or 60 – 69 points
- Three-quarters: .75 or 70 – 79 points
- Four-fifths: .80 or 80 – 89 points
- Nine-tenths: 90 – 99 points
- Carat: 100 points
The price will increase based on the weight of the diamond. For example, a one carat, good cut, SI clarity, H colour, round diamond may be 15 to 20% more expensive than an identical stone weighing just 99 points because they are in two different weight categories. A simple 1 point difference can cost much more!
Diamonds that are poorly cut can look smaller or even larger from a face up position. So, don’t make the mistake of using carat weight as a measurement of size.
