DIAMOND EDUCATION · THE FOUR C'S
Understanding Diamond Carat Weight
Demystifying the correlation between weight, size, and presence on the finger.
Explained
What is Diamond Carat?
A diamond's carat is specifically a measure of its weight, not its physical visual scale. Derived from the ancient carob seeds used to balance scales in early merchant markets, one metric carat equals exactly 200 milligrams.
Because diamonds are cut to balance brilliance, two diamonds of identical carat weight might have different face-up visual diameters depending on their cut proportions. Understanding this nuance is key to securing the most striking presence for your budget.
Advice From Our Experts
4 Steps to Select Your Ideal Carat Weight
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01
Determine Your Budget Allocation
Prioritize cut quality above raw carat weight. A highly-reflective smaller diamond will always appear larger and more lively than a poorly cut heavy diamond.
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02
Select a Complementary Diamond Shape
Elongated shapes like Marquise, Oval, and Emerald-cut visually look larger face-up on the finger compared to a classic round brilliant of the exact same weight.
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03
Mind Your Ring Setting Choice
Halo and bezel settings can amplify the visual size of the diamond center-stone, giving the illusion of a higher carat output.
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04
Review on a Real Finger Scale
Consider the finger size of the recipient. A 1.00ct diamond appears relatively larger on smaller fingers than it does on wider settings.
Visual Scale Preview
Carat Weight Visual Comparison
Proportional representations of classic brilliant-cut diamonds as viewed from a top-down perspective on the hand.
Take a look
Use our ‘Try it On’ feature to get a sense of how it fits
Select a stone shape, and then adjust the slider to change the carat weight. Adjust skin tone with the vertical slider on the right.
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