How Diamond Carat Is Measured: A Complete Guide

The diamond carat is one of the 4 important aspects to consider before you decide to invest in natural or lab grown diamonds Vancouver. It is one of the factors that affect the price and value of diamonds, among many other factors.

In this blog, we’ll answer common questions like "How are diamonds measured?", “How are carats measured?”, or “How do diamond carats work?”. Find out more in the following sections of the blog!

What is Diamond Carat Weight? How Diamond Carat is measured?

A diamond carat is a unit of measurement used to understand the weight of diamonds. One carat equals 200 milligrams or 1/5 grams. So, when diamond stores Vancouver say that a diamond is "1 carat", it means the diamond weighs 0.2 grams. It means that one carat is subdivided into 100 points. This should not be confused with karat, which is used to measure gold purity. So, how to determine diamond carat? The best way to check the diamond carat is through the diamond grading report. It includes every important specification related to the diamond.

Recommended: The 4Cs of Diamond Quality: What You Should Know as a Buyer

The Importance of Diamond Carat

Carat weight is one of the four most important factors when it comes to choosing the right lab-grown or natural diamonds Vancouver. Most people assume that if the diamond carat weighs more, then it is the better choice, but that’s not entirely true. Two diamonds of the same carat can look very different, even when it comes to size. Their values might also be different based on other factors, such as the cut or clarity of the diamond.

You might ask, then, how do you measure diamond carats? Professionals use a scale that reads to the thousandth decimal. The weight is then rounded to the nearest hundredth of a carat. 

Moreover, carat weight also affects the price. Larger diamonds are rarer, so a 2-carat diamond will cost much more than a 1-carat diamond of the same quality.

The 4Cs of a Diamond

The 4Cs of a diamond is the universal standard to assess the quality of a diamond. The Gemological Institute of America introduced the 4Cs in the 1940s. These include: 

• Carat (Weight)
• Cut (Quality)
• Color (Lack of Color)
• Clarity (Absence of Blemishes and Inclusions)

If you want to determine the value of a diamond, then knowing the 4Cs is absolutely essential. That’s why learning about how do carat diamonds work is important, and helps you gain a better understanding of how to choose the perfect diamond before you walk into any store. So, how to know carat of diamond and the other 4Cs? You can check the diamond report online on the GIA or IGI website online to learn more about the 4Cs of the specific diamond.

Read Also: Lab Grown Diamond Report: Grading and Authenticity Analysis

Diamond Carat Size Vs Diamond Carat Weight

People often confuse carat weight with diamond size, but they’re not the same thing. Carat is about how much the diamond weighs, while size refers to the physical dimensions of the diamond, like how wide or tall it looks when viewed from the top.

So, How Do You Measure Diamonds in Terms of Size?

Diamond size is measured in millimeters (mm) across the top of the diamond. You may wonder, How many mm is a 1 carat diamond? A round brilliant 1-carat diamond typically measures about 6.4 to 6.5 mm in diameter. The size of a diamond varies depending on the cut and shape.

Diamond Carat Weight and Size Comparison Chart

The following is a diamond carat size comparison chart for all diamond shapes. Please note that actual measurements may vary slightly based on cut quality and proportions.

If you want to know how to tell the diamond size or how to tell diamond carat by just looking, then we advise you to check the diamond certificate for accuracy, because two diamonds with the same carat can look different in size due to how they are cut. While the diamond carat size comparison is useful for reference, always verify the information with the diamond grade report. 

The Role of Diamond Carat in Diamond Carat Price

Carat weight directly impacts the price of a diamond. The higher the carat weight is, the higher the price will be (if they are of the same quality. You can expect the diamond of a one-carat diamond to be more than two half-carat diamonds (if they all have the same quality). This is because larger diamonds are rarely discovered in nature. So, the price increases exponentially with size.

The phenomenon of diamond carats' direct impact on the price of a diamond is known as "magic sizes" in the diamond industry. The price per carat exponentially increases after it reaches a certain boundary. For example, two diamonds may have a carat weight of 1.46 and 1.51, respectively, while also having the same quality. You might not notice a visible difference between the two, however, there might be a huge jump in the cost due it crossing a specific threshold that is called the "magic size".

Read More: The Ultimate Guide: Different Types of Diamond Shapes for Engagement Rings

Conclusion

Understanding how diamond carats work helps you to make an informed purchase. The diamond carat weight directly impacts the price of a diamond, and it can vary depending on many other factors.