How to Measure Diamond Carat: A Detailed Guide for Buyers

During diamond shopping, you must have come across the word carat weight. Many of us even do not pay much attention to this term and commonly confuse it with size. However, it is one of the important terminologies used in the diamond industry and it severely impacts your diamond shopping.

Whether it is the value of a diamond or its appearance, carat weight has an important say in it. For selecting the best diamond, it is imperative to understand what is carat weight, how it impacts the value, and appearance of a diamond, and how it is different from size.

In this article, we will talk about everything you should know about carat weight. The difference between carat weight and size, why carat weight is used as a measurement of weight for diamonds and other gemstones, and how carat weight affects the price of a diamond.

Why Carat Weight Matters in Diamond?

The 4C’s (carat, cut, color, clarity) represents the soul and body of a diamond. These universally recognized standards are the main foundation of the quality and value of a diamond in the market. Out of these four standards, carat weight impacts the price of a diamond significantly.

It is the carat weight that helps in differentiating between diamonds which appear very similar to each other in appearance. Based on the carat weight, jewelers can easily decide the price of a diamond in the market. Also, carat weight acts as a balancing bridge between the buyers and the sellers because it helps buyers estimate the right price of a diamond without any confusion.

What is Diamond Carat?

Definition of a Carat

Carat defines the weight of a diamond. All around the world, jewelers use this term to measure the weight of a gemstone, particularly a diamond, and to calculate its price. In mathematical terms, a carat represents 200 milligrams out of 1000 milligrams. That is, it is 1/5 of 1 gram. This means a 1-carat diamond possesses 200 milligrams of weight, and a 5-carat diamond holds 1 gram. Further, the carat is divided into smaller units known as points. Each point represents a 1/100 part. This means that 100 points is equivalent to 1 carat. This helps precise measurement and evaluation of stones that possess a weight of less than a carat.

It is also interesting to find that the word “carat” is used for weighing diamonds. In ancient times, there used to be a tree called a carob. The seeds of the carob tree are used by ancient traders as a reference for trading gemstones. This is because the size of each seed is nearly equal in size and weight. This is how the modern carat word found its place in the diamond industry in 1907 at the Fourth General Conference on Weights and Measures. Also, do not confuse the word carat with karat. Karat is used for determining the purity of gold, and it is far different from carat.

Carat vs. Size: The Difference

Many people believe that carat weight and size are closely related to each other. However, this is not true. The size of a diamond represents its physical dimensions. It depends on the length, width, and depth of a diamond. On the other hand, carat weight is the measurement of the weight of a diamond. Size and type of cut significantly affect the appearance of a diamond and decide how large or small a diamond may look to the naked eye, even if the two diamonds possess the same weight. Understand this with an example. A round-shaped diamond of 1-carat weight but poorly cut may look smaller than the same-shaped diamond of 1-carat weight with proper cut. Also, different shapes of diamonds have different impacts on their appearance.

How to Measure Diamond Carat?

Carat weight plays a significant role in weighing diamonds. A precise weight calculation method is imperative for the right pricing in the diamond industry. The carat weight system is very useful in measuring diamonds with different weights, whether it is large or small diamond, carat weight is easily applied to each diamond.

The Carat Scale

Carat weight is specifically used to measure gemstone’s weight and not the size. To be accurate, professionals use electronic carat scales to measure the weight of gemstones, diamonds, and pearls to the nearest hundredth carat. It is done to ensure buyers pay the right price because even a small change in carat weight affects the price of a diamond significantly. For accuracy, carat weight is calculated to three decimal points and rounded off to the hundredth decimal place. For example, a diamond of 0.54 points is weighted as 0.54 carats. This measuring method is crucial to form a level field ground for both buyers and sellers.

Also Read:- How to Identify if a Diamond is Real

Carat Fractions and Points

For simplification and precise calculation, carat weight is divided into smaller units known as “points”. Each point represents 1/100th of a carat’s weight, that is, one point is equivalent to 0.01 carat. A diamond weighing 0.25 carat will be known as a “twenty-five-pointer” diamond. This system is very helpful in measuring the weights of smaller diamonds like diamond melee for accurate pricing. Fractional weight is an important part of the diamond market. Factional weight is used to measure diamonds particularly smaller than 1-carat weight. It helps in simplification of weights for the understanding of both buyers and sellers. For example, a diamond whose weight is 0.50 carats will be called a “half-a-carat” under a fractional system.

Why Precision Matters

When it comes to precision in weight, it is not only necessary but also crucial for the diamond industry around the globe. Since diamonds are available in different weights and sizes, even a small weight change brings a significant price change. A standard weighing mechanism leads to the right pricing of a diamond and helps in creating a balance between buyers and sellers.

Precision matters because:
There are certain magic numbers in the diamond industry. Weights like 1-carat, 2-carat, or half-carat are considered as magic numbers. If a diamond is slightly above these numbers in weight, it commands a high price in the market compared to one just below these numbers.

Diamonds which are larger in size are very rare in the market. These diamonds hold a higher price per carat when compared with diamonds with smaller sizes.

Pricing based on precise measurement is very important from the buyer’s point of view. It ensures that buyers pay the correct price of a stone as per its size and weight. For example, a 0.99-carat diamond may look similar to a 1-carat diamond, but the latter holds more value in the market due to its size and weight.

Tools for Measuring Diamond Carat

Diamond carat weight is calculated in the following ways:

Digital Carat Scales

Accuracy and precision are two major advantages of using a digital carat scale. A digital carat scale is an electronic weighing machine specially crafted for jewelers to measure diamonds and other gemstones. This machine is known for its high accuracy that helps in valuation of a diamond piece. The digital carat scale can measure up to a hundredth of a carat. It can go down to 0.01 grams or 0.001 grams for precise readings.

Measuring By Dimension (For Estimation)

Using a digital scale for accurate weighing is not the only way to measure the weight of a diamond. The length, width, and depth of a diamond can be used to measure its weight. With the help of a specialized diamond measuring tool (diamond gauge) and a carat weight chart, jewelers can measure the weight of a diamond. For example, a round diamond with a diameter of 5mm when measured and seen in the carat weight chart turns out to be 0.20 carat. However, it is not as accurate and precise as a digital scale, and there is a high possibility of an error. Also, different factors like cut quality and the diamond’s shape significantly affect the measurement.

The Role of Certification in Carat Accuracy

Certification plays a fundamental role in building trust among buyers regarding the diamond they are going to buy. Certification helps establish that the diamond possesses accurate carat weight as informed by the seller, and there is no compromise with the quality and other traits. As these institutes are independent entities they prepare an authentic and unbiased certification, providing a reliable source for the buyers. These certificates help in eliminating any false claims and discrepancies by the seller.

Key points to remember:

• Carat weight certification is based on measurements done using highly specialized tools. These tools calculate weight up to the hundredth of a carat, guaranteeing precision.
• The certificates provide an in-depth report on a diamond and act as a bridge of trust between the buyers and the sellers.
• Certificate institutes like GIA or AGS follow standardized mechanisms for grading diamonds. It cancels out any possibility of inconsistency in the grading report.

Factors That Affects How Carat Appears

Diamond Shape and Carat Appearance

The shape of a diamond has an important say when it comes to how the diamond will finally appear. Whether it turns out to be large or small in appearance, it is the shape that has the notable effect. If a buyer takes a round-shaped diamond of 1-carat weight and compares it with an oval or marquise-shaped diamond of the same carat weight, the latter two will appear larger to the eyes. It is because different shapes like round, oval, emerald, and pear reflect light at different angles that create a difference in the appearance. As emerald, pears, cushions, etc, reflect light in a way that spreads out the weight of a diamond, making it look larger. In the context of carat weight, it is essential to understand that different shapes will give different perceptions to the buyer.

Diamond Cut and its Impact on the Size Perception

A diamond that is perfectly cut following the rules of symmetry and proportions will be able to reflect light more efficiently, exhibit more brilliance to the eyes, and appear large. On the other hand, a diamond that is imperfectly cut without following the right techniques will appear dull and exhibit low brilliance as it reflects light properly. For example, a 0.99-carat diamond with a proper cut will appear larger than a 1-carat diamond with an imperfect cut. It implies that the quality of a diamond’s cut has a significant effect on the appearance of a diamond. This is why maximum emphasis is given to the cut among the 4Cs when it comes to the diamond’s overall appearance.

Conclusion

Buyers who are in search of the best diamond deal are required to understand the impact of carat weight on the diamond price. Carat weight makes the level field ground for both buyers and sellers. It brings precision in measuring weight up to the hundredth unit of measurement. This precision eliminates the possibilities of any confusion, leads to the right assessment of a diamond as per weight and lets buyers pay the right price. Carat weight also helps different institutes in certifying different diamonds without any bias. These unbiased certification ensures authenticity and accuracy to the buyers and makes them feel secure about their product.

However, during diamond shopping it is not only the carat weight that buyers need to focus on, other factors like cut, shape, and size also need to be kept in mind. The cut, clarity, shape, and size of a diamond significantly affect its overall appearance and brilliance. It is imperative to maintain a balance between all these factors to get the best deal.

FAQ

1. How is Carat Weight Different from Karat in Gold?

Do not confuse the word carat with karat. Karat is used to determine the purity of gold, and it is far different from carat. And carat represents the weight of a diamond and other gemstones.

2. Can I Measure the Carat Weight of a Diamond at Home?

To measure carat weight you require specialized tools. These tools are not available to you at home. Jewelers who deal in diamonds will accurately measure the carat weight of a diamond because they have a digital carat scale and carat chart.

3. How Much does the Carat Weight Affect the Price of a Diamond?

The price of a diamond increases exponentially with an increase in weight. Diamonds that possess magic numbers (1-carat, 2-carat) will command higher prices in the market due to their limited availability.

4. Is a 2-carat Diamond Twice the Size of a 1-carat Diamond?

The 2-carat diamond is not twice the size of a 1-carat diamond. Carat calculates the weight of a diamond and not the size. 2-carat and 1-carat represent the weight and not the size.

5. What is the Best Carat Weight for an Engagement Ring?

The carat weight for an engagement ring primarily depends on the budget and specifications. The diamond between 0.5 carats and 1.5 carats may be a good choice. Also, pay attention to cut, quality, size, etc.