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Certified Diamond Network

Carat Weight

The quality of a diamond’s cut is widely considered the most important

ESC

The Technical

The weight of a loose diamond is expressed in a unit of measure called Carats.

The term carat originated in a natural unit of weight; the seeds of the Carob tree.

Loose diamonds were traditionally weighed against these seeds until the system was standardised and one carat was fixed at 0.2 grams.

One carat is divided into 100 points.

This means that half a carat is described as 50 points or 0.50 carats.

Carob Seeds

The Real

Larger stones are found much less frequently in nature. Even with modern techniques, the cutting and polishing of a diamond crystal always results in a dramatic loss of weight; rarely is it less than 50%. Most of the time cutters compromise and accept lesser proportions and symmetry in order to avoid inclusions or to preserve the carat weight. Since the price per carat of loose diamonds shifts around key milestones (such as 1.00ct), most wholesale diamonds are the result of compromising “Cut” for “Carat Weight”.

Does your 1.00 carat stone have a 1.00 carat size? Your diamond broker in Sydney can help you check the diameter or dimensions of the wholesale diamond you’re considering in relation to its carat weight. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to tell if it has been to retain weight and in turn, sacrifice visual beauty and size.

To help you, our diamond buying guide includes the below graph that illustrates the measurements you should expect when buying diamond jewellery in Sydney. If the stone you’re considering doesn’t measure up, then it represents 90% of wholesale diamonds you will find in the marketplace and you should avoid purchasing it.

Please note: All measurements are in Millimeters. Measurements for Round, Princess, Asscher, Heart, and Triangle Cuts should be as close to square as possible. All other measurements represent the ‘Length + Width’ of the stone. Please contact us for more information, diamond consulting and education.

 

Carat Weight