The Four Cs: Diamond Carat Weight
A diamond’s carat weight is exactly that, its weight. Not its size. A 1-carat diamond of the same shape can look completely different in size based on how it’s cut and how it’s carrying its weight.
Even a small difference in carat weight can mean a big difference in value and price. If two diamonds have the same color, cut, and clarity but one has a higher carat weight than the other, the heavier diamond is much more valuable than the smaller one because it is rarer. For example, a .96 carat diamond and a 1.02-carat diamond can have dramatically different prices despite having similar weights.
When shopping for a diamond, be careful not to confuse weight with size. For example, when comparing two 1 carat round diamonds, one might look much larger or smaller than the other because they are cut differently and have different proportions.
A well-cut 1-carat round diamond should measure approximately 6.5 millimeters in diameter. If a diamond is too shallow, it will have a broader diameter, making it appear larger, but also duller.
The same is true for a 1-carat diamond that is cut too deeply. It will appear smaller when compared to a well-cut 1-carat diamond and will not have the same sparkle as a well-cut diamond.
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