Carat weight greatly influences the price of a diamond.
Diamonds are sorted into price brackets depending on their carat weight.
0.23ct – 0.29ct | 0.30ct – 0.39ct | 0.40ct – 0.49ct | 0.50ct – 0.69ct | 0.70ct – 0.89ct
0.90ct – 0.99ct | 1.00ct – 1.49ct | 1.50ct – 1.99ct | 2.00ct – 2.99ct | 3.00ct – 3.99ct
It pays to note that prices do not steadily increase from one size bracket to another, rather they jump considerably. The difference between a 0.99ct diamond and a 1.00ct diamond may be miniscule in weight and size but the price could be considerable.
The carat weight of a stone is determined using a strictly calibrated grading scale. There are many regulations placed on the use of these scales to ensure that they are correct and perfectly calibrated. At Solid Gold Diamonds, we adhere to CIBJO guidelines regarding scale calibration and welcome external professionals to check our many scales on a regular basis.
This checking system ensures all of our scales are identical when weighing our diamonds and that there are no variances. Adhering to the strict guidelines mentioned, the diamond scales found in our in-house workshop are all fully enclosed meaning that there are no external factors such as extreme air conditioning, effecting the weight of the diamonds.
It is crucial that a professional establishment has the correct scales to weigh a diamond. Scales that are not fully enclosed will not offer a true reading of the diamond’s carat weight. Many jewelers may use scales that are not approved for diamond weighing and as a result incorrect weights may be recorded.
Diamonds are weighed to three decimals and then rounded up to two. For example, a diamond weighing 1.089ct will be rounded up to 1.09ct.
Understanding the rounding process will enable you to make an informed decision on your diamond selection. It is not uncommon for establishments to round up a diamond to the next weight bracket from 0.005ct. At Solid Gold Diamonds, we follow the set standard and round up to the next size bracket from 0.007ct.
The different would mean a diamond of 0.999ct by GIA and Solid Gold Diamonds would be rounded to 1.00ct and sold as such where many retailers may round a diamond weighing 0.995ct up to 1.00ct weight.
Considering the greater the Carat weight, the higher the price of the diamond, it becomes clear why some would round their diamonds up to the nearest decimal even though they in fact weigh less than diamonds that have been weighed according to International standards.
The Carat weight of a diamond does not reflect the actual size of the diamond. As a general guide we can follow a generic sizing scale but understand that not all diamonds will adhere to these sizes.
A one carat round brilliant cut diamond for example, is not twice the size of a half carat round brilliant cut diamond and a two carat diamond is not double the size of a one carat diamond. The same is true for the prices of these diamonds. A 1ct diamond is not twice the price of a 0.50ct diamond of the same characteristics.
Supply and demand influences the premium paid for a 1ct diamond. In order to cut and polish a 1ct diamond, the original rough diamond needs to be of a considerable size..
There are many aspects of a diamond that determine its visual size. The main contributing factor is the cut of a diamond..
Two round brilliant cut diamonds of the same carat weight can differ tremendously in diameter as a result of an Excellent or a poor Cut grade.
A diamond that has a shallow Cut grade can have a larger table size and thus a bigger diameter. This diamond type would definitely appear larger in your piece of jewellery than an Excellent cut version, however the sparkle would be significantly less. This would greatly reduce the price of the diamond.
A diamond with a deep cut would appear smaller in size than an Excellent cut
diamond and have significantly less sparkle again. The price would also differ
greatly.
In this case the diamond cutter has tried to maximize the overall appearance of
the diamond rather than perfecting the diamond cut. To do this, he has
changed the ideal measurements by which to cut a round brilliant cut diamond.
Instead of creating a diamond that is well proportioned and brilliant,
maximizing the surface area results in a very shallow diamond as illustrated
below. A shallow cut diamond draws light into the table, but as the pavilion is
very shallow, any sparkle the diamond might create simply leaks out of the
base of the stone. So whilst this diamond may appear nice and large compared
to another smaller and better cut diamond, it would have very little brilliance.
Round brilliant cut diamonds with ideal measurements and carat weight will all
appear a very similar size in diameter.
In these cases we must remember that a visually larger diamond is not always
the better option.
Be aware of these little known nuisances surrounding Carat weight when
selecting your diamond. A diamond?s weight may seem to be a simple aspect,
but as discussed there are many tricksters about who may not offer full
disclosure of their diamond selection.
The trained consultants at Solid Gold Diamonds can show you exactly how to
identify a diamond?s Carat weight and compare it to the International diamond
grading report that accompanies your diamond. Our team will also be able to
check weigh your selected diamond in a private viewing area to confirm its
weight as per your certificate.
