What does the carat weight of a diamond signify?
The term carat is often associated with the cut of a diamond, whereas in reality, the carat is the unit of measurement that applies to the weight of the diamond.
One carat is equal to 0.20 grams, or about a quarter of the weight of a dry grape. The probable origin of this measurement is the carob seed, which served as a unit of measurement since ancient times.
The diamond industry now uses electronic scales to weigh diamonds. The word carob is at the origin of the word carat, which we are using today. Carat weight is not visible to the naked eye. Several factors influence the weight of a stone, such as its shape.
Price per carat of a diamond
The weight of a diamond is one of the most important price-determining factors. Since larger diamonds are rarer than smaller ones, their value increases exponentially.
However, carat weight alone does not determine a diamond's value. Bigger does not always mean better. For example, two stones of one carat can be valued at completely different prices when their clarity, color, cut and shape are taken into consideration.
Diamond Carat Weight
Carat weight can vary visually from one diamond shape to another (round brilliant cut, princess, pear, oval, cushion, marquise, emerald, radiant or heart).
Two diamonds of the same carat weight and shape may have a different visual appearance depending on the proportion of size they display.