What Makes Up A Diamonds Carat?

A diamond is a gem that is formed far under the surface of the earth by intense pressure. When evaluating a diamond there are generally four things to consider: Clarity, color, cut, and carat. These are called the 4 C's of diamonds. Carat, in terms of gems, is way of describing the weight of the diamond.

The General Conference on Weights and Measures is a meeting that takes place every 4 to 6 years in order to maintain and establish an international standard of measurements. It was at the fourth General Conference on Weights and Measures, in 1907, that the carat was defined. A carat is 200 mg or about .007 ounces. There are a hundred points in a carat that are each 2 mg. In the same way that there are a hundred pennies in a dollar, there are 100 points in a carat.

Special, extremely sensitive, digital scales are now used to measure a diamonds weight, but it was not always this precise. The name carat actually originated from the Greek word for the carob seed. Carob seeds were frequently used to weigh things like gold or diamonds. This is because they had a uniform size and weight, and irregular seeds could be easily picked out by the naked eye.

Generally the higher the diamonds carat, the more it costs. A flawless diamond is called a paragon and weighs at least 100 carats. This is of course very rare and expensive. Most diamonds found in jewelry are considerably less than 100 carats.

A 2 carat diamond will likely be much more expensive than a 1 carat diamond. Sometimes rings and other types of jewelry with multiple diamonds are described in total carat weight (TCW). This includes the combined weight of all of the diamonds in the piece of jewelry. The price of a diamond is actually frequently described in weight per carat.

While a diamonds weight or carat is important, it is only part of the equation when grading a diamond. The cut, clarity, and color of the diamond will all also play an important role in determining its value. When buying a diamond for yourself or a loved one it is important to take all of these factors into consideration, but finding the right size is very important. Remember that the larger the finger, the smaller the diamond looks, and of course the inverse is true. Take this into consideration when modeling the ring on yourself or the sales person. A diamond with a higher carat does not always look bigger to the naked eye. This is because the cut of the diamond can make it look larger than it actually is. Also if size is a factor, but you are on a budget, consider a diamond with a lower color grade, but a good cut and carat.

Diamonds make a great gift for your family, friends, and for yourself. They can be a large investment though, so it is important to understand how they are valued. If you familiarize yourself with the 4 C's and the different types of diamonds available, you will be able to purchase a diamond that will bring you or a loved one much happiness.

By Brad Brubaker