Juniker Jewelry Company










Your Guide To The Five C's

Diamond CutDiamond ColorDiamond ClarityDiamond Carat WeightDiamond Certification

Carat Weight

Carat weight is the standard measurement of a diamond’s weight. The most obvious variable in choosing a diamond, carat weight is actually the least important in determining the brilliance of a diamond. The value of two diamonds of the same carat weight can vary greatly depending on the other factors, color, clarity and especially cut.

The term carat was derived from carob seeds that were used to balance scales in ancient times. In the early 1900's, the metric carat was established as one carat equal to 200 milligrams with 142 carats in an ounce. Carats are further divided into points with 100 points in a carat. A half-carat diamond may be referred to as a 50 pointer or 50 point stone. The term full carat refers to a diamond that weights 1.00 Carat while a light carat refers to a diamond that weighs slightly less than 1.00 Carat. For example, a diamond weighting 0.96 carats is considered a light carat.

A light carat, while only slightly smaller than a full carat, will usually be less expensive because larger diamonds are rare and usually have a greater value per carat. . When choosing diamonds for your rings, necklaces, earrings or other diamond jewelry, ask your jeweler carat weight and observe the differences in size and depth of diamonds of different carat weights before choosing the diamond carat weight you prefer.

Below are two identical pieces of rough (uncut) diamonds, each of the same quality and value.

Diamond Carat Weight
From one piece of rough, a diamond has been cut to Ideal proportions, retaining a weight of one carat. The light is totally reflected through the top.

Diamond Carat Weight
This piece of rough has been "spread" in its cutting, resulting in a diamond weighing approximately 1.40 ct. Note: The girdle is thicker, the table is much larger, the angles are exaggerated, all at the expense of that diamond's ability to reflect light. Therefore, one can see that the value of a diamond can vary as much at 40% in the cutting alone.

 

Juniker Jewelry Co.
4500 I-55 North
Highland Village Suite 116
Jackson, MS 39211 US
Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30am to 6:00pm - Closed Sun
Email
601-366-3754
 1-800-796-3754
Fax: 601-362-6079

© Copyright 2005 Juniker Jewelry Company. All Rights Reserved