JEWELLERY GUIDE Diamond Carat

Diamond Carat A Guide to Weight and Value

Diamonds are admired for their brilliance and natural beauty. While sparkle is the first thing you notice, choosing the right diamond involves understanding the 4Cs, where Carat plays a key role in both value and perception.

Important Legal Disclosure

In accordance with IS 19469 2025, Carave Paris ensures complete transparency regarding the origin of our gemstones. We clearly disclose whether a stone is a Natural Diamond or a Laboratory Grown Diamond on every product page, authenticity certificate, and official invoice.

1. What is Diamond Carat?

A common misunderstanding is that carat refers to size. In reality, Carat refers to the weight of the diamond.

  1. The Math 1 carat equals exactly 0.2 grams .
  2. The Points Each carat is divided into 100 points. For example, a 50 point diamond is 0.50 carats.
  3. Precision Even a small difference in weight can result in a significant price change. Please note that a minor weight tolerance approx.  may occur due to high precision setting and measurement standards.

2. Carat (ct) vs. Karat (K)

It is important to distinguish between these two terms

  1. Carat (ct) The unit of weight for diamonds and gemstones.
  2. Karat (K) The measure of purity for gold e.g., 18K, 22K.

3. Understanding Total Carat Weight (TCW)

When purchasing jewelry with multiple stones, such as earrings or eternity bands, you will see TCW.

  1. TCW is the combined weight of all diamonds in that specific piece.
  2. Example If a pair of stud earrings is labeled 1.00 TCW, the combined weight of both earrings is 1.00 carat approximately 0.50ct per earring.

4. Does a Higher Carat Mean a Larger Diamond?

Not necessarily. Two diamonds of the same weight can appear different in size due to

  1. Shape Elongated shapes like Oval or Marquise often have a larger face up appearance than a Round diamond of the same weight.
  2. Cut & Depth A diamond cut too deep hides its weight in the belly of the stone, making it look smaller from the top.

5. What are Magic Sizes ?

In the diamond industry, weights like 0.50ct, 0.75ct, and 1.00ct are known as Magic Sizes. Prices jump significantly at these milestones.

  1. Pro Tip Choosing a shy stone e.g., a 0.95ct instead of a 1.00ct can offer incredible value, as they often look visually similar to the naked eye while being more affordable.

6. Carave Paris Buying Tips

  1. Cut is King A smaller diamond with an Excellent Cut will sparkle more and appear more impressive than a larger diamond with a Poor Cut.
  2. Certification All Carave Paris diamonds are accompanied by authenticity certificates from internationally recognized laboratories such as GIA, IGI, or SGL, verifying the exact Carat weight and quality.
  3. Standardization We adhere to the metric carat standard used worldwide since 1907.