Now that you’ve read up on cut, color, and clarity, you've made it to the fourth and final installment of our series on the 4 Cs of diamonds: carat. Often the characteristic noticed first, carat is the measure of a diamond’s weight. Generally, the higher a diamond’s carat weight, the larger the stone appears.

First, a quick history lesson. The word “carat” originates from the ancient use of carob seeds to make precise measurements. Carob seeds are uniform in shape and weight and were extremely reliable in measuring the weight of precious stones. Today, one carat is precisely 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams - the weight of one carob seed. (Remember: Don’t confuse carat with karat. The former refers to diamond weight while the latter is about gold purity.)

Diamond weight is also referred to as “points” These points are not related to the number of facets or cuts on a diamond, but rather to its carat weight. Just like one pound is divided into 16 ounces, one carat is divided into 100 points. This makes each point equal to 1/ 100th of a carat. For example, a one-carat diamond has 100 points, while a 0.50-cant diamond has 50 points.

Carat weight has a great deal of influence on the price of a diamond. Since larger stones are rarer, they are more expensive. For instance, one diamond weighing two carats will always cost much more than two diamonds of the same quality weighing one carat each.

Because carat is a measure of a diamond’s weight and not its measurements, it’s important to know the relationship between a diamond’s weight and its cut. Some diamonds may appear to have a larger surface area, or table, than an ideal cut diamond, but the diamonds may be of the same carat weight. Diamonds are sometimes cut in shallow proportions to make them look bigger, but such proportions sacrifice diamonds’ brilliance and make them less valuable. (Click here for more information about the importance of diamond cuts.)

Now that you know about the 4 Cs of diamonds, it’s time to start shopping! The only thing left is deciding who gets your business. When you invest in a diamond from Hadar Diamonds, you are working with a company that has a solid track record in the diamond industry. Check out our extensive selection of diamonds on our website, as well as our diamond learning center for more information. We encourage you to make an educated choice. We guaranty you’ll be on cloud nine with you diamond/engagement ring purchase. Enjoy this pressure free experience. And as always, feel free to contact us with your questions. We will reply to all questions.