!: Carats - What Are They and How Do They Work with Jewelry?

Even though bigger may seem better when it comes to diamonds and rare gems, this isn't always the Case. In fact, as important as carat weight may be, it is not the only important determining factor when evaluating a stone's value. Jewelers also look at a gemstone's clarity, cut and color. In this article however, we'll focus exclusively on the carat and how it affects a gem stone's value.

First, it's important to remember that a carat is a measurement of weight, not size. A larger stone may be less dense and therefore have a lower weight than a smaller stone. Also, different stones have different weights, so a one-carat ruby will not be the same size as a one-carat sapphire.

Typically, diamonds are cut to similar proportions, meaning generic diamonds of a particular carat weight tend to be more or less the same size. For example, if someone wants a one-carat, round diamond, they'll usually get a diamond that's about 6.5 millimeters across the top, and if they want a two-carat, round diamond, it will be about 8.2 millimeters across.

But, what if the proportions are different? In addition to a stone's density, how it's cut (that is, its proportions) can also affect its size relative to carat weight. For example, if a cutter wants a very heavy carat weight, he will cut a stone deep to get the bulk of the weight in the bottom portion. This means the stone can look small, but still feel heavy.

Other examples include a stone that is cut with a shallow cut, usually done to bring out a lighter tone, which can make the gem appear larger despite its low carat weight.

Today, a carat is equal to approximately one-fifth of a gram and divisible by a hundred points. Typically, the higher the carat weight, the higher the price. In addition, certain weight levels carry particular price points. The difference in price between a 1.0 carat diamond and a.99 carat diamond is much greater than that between a.99 carat diamond and a.98 carat diamond.

Size vs. Weight

For most everyday jewelry and stone buyers, asking for a specific size is going to be more effective than requesting a specific carat weight. Because of the discrepancies in sizes and proportions when it comes to carat measurements, you're more likely to get the stone and style you want if you focus on the aesthetics of size and diameter instead.