Diamond Carat Guide
If diamonds are a girl's best friend, then carat weight is the size of that friendship. The diamond carat is the unit of measurement used to determine a stone’s weight. Regardless of whether it’s one of those very special pieces used to pop the question or just another piece you are adding to your ever-growing diamond jewellery collection. As one of the 4Cs of a diamond along with cut, colour and clarity, the diamond carat is a critical factor in the diamond buying process. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a big, sparkly rock on their finger? The higher a diamond’s carat weight is, naturally, the more valuable it becomes diamond becomes. The carat weight of a diamond is not just important for its monetary value but also for its aesthetic appeal
For so long people have always had a ‘the bigger, the better’ approach when it comes to their diamonds. However, like most things in this modern-tech-orientated world we are living in, people have begun to reject these social norms and have begun to embrace new and unique trends with their jewellery.
So, how important is the diamond carat when it comes to making a decision about what jewellery or stone you will end up choosing? Read on and find all that out and more in our diamond-carat guide.
OVERVIEW:
HOW IMPORTANT IS DIAMOND CARAT WHEN PURCHASING JEWELLERY?
Whether you’re shopping for engagement rings or a new pair of diamond earrings to add to your collection, carat size is likely the first thing you are going to consider. This is because a diamond’s carat size directly affects the overall value and appearance of the stone. While a diamond carat size doesn’t necessarily impact the stone’s quality as much as the other three Cs, colour, cut, and clarity. Establishing your preferred carat size is an essential part of making diamond purchases as it informs what is and isn’t in your budget. Your choice of a budget is essentially the unofficial fifth C to consider and it is arguably the most crucial first step before you even go looking at stones because it has the potential to become the be-all-end-all of your diamond-buying experience. Nothing brings up a diamond’s price quite like its size and so it is helpful to have a decent understanding of the type of stones that fit within your budget before pulling the trigger.
While carat size is ultimately a personal and financial preference, for a lot of people it is the defining feature of their jewellery. Particularly, when it comes to diamond rings and bridal sets, which often draw more attention to a stone’s size and shape. This means that while some tend to emphasise the other physical factors that go into buying a diamond such as the stone’s colour, its shape and how much it sparkles, others are very hard-pressed on what size the stone should be. As a result, it may motivate not only the quality of the diamond they end up choosing but also the type of stone they purchase. For example, a lot of shoppers are opting for jewellery adorned with lab-grown diamonds because they are significantly more affordable than their minded counterparts. So, by going down the lab-grown diamond jewellery route, shoppers not only have the potential to save big and slightly better-quality stones, but they also have more leeway in terms of carat size.
HOW IS DIAMOND CARAT SIZE DETERMINED?
A diamond’s carat size is determined by its weight. However, instead of being measured by grams, kilograms, pounds, stones or any other popular measuring unit, a diamond’s size is literally determined in carats.
So, what are carats exactly?
Carat is an ancient unit metric that was once used by farmers in order to determine the number of seeds that could be found in a single carob tree. Dating back to 15th-century England, one carat is equal to 0.2 grams and the exact carat weight is determined by dividing a single carat into 100 points. To determine the carat weight of a diamond, the gemologist will place the stone onto a precision scale that is accurate to the thousandth of the carat, an essential element in order to be able to determine the stone’s exact mass. After a diamond is mined or in the case of man-made stones, produced in a laboratory, the rough diamond will undergo a process of sorting and evaluating in order to determine which diamond cut will provide the stone with the best value. When cutting a diamond, it is in the best interests of a gemologist to cut it in a way that maximises the stone’s weight while enhancing its brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
The cutter will take into account the diamond's shape, colour, and inclusions when deciding how to cut it in order to achieve the best possible result.
Once the stone has been cut and polished into a shape that resembles the type of stone you will see embedded into everything from diamond necklaces to diamond bracelets it will undergo a second evaluation. This additional evaluation will ultimately determine the size that the diamond will be marketed as when it is prepared to be sold. Once a diamond's weight has been recorded, it can be classified into different carat weight categories, such as 0.50 carats (½ a carat), 1 carat, or 2 carats. Diamonds that are less than one carat in weight are often referred to as ‘pointers’ and they are often used by jewellers as diamond accents for pieces such as halo rings, they are also used for single diamond embellishments and for cluster pieces. The final carat weight is an important factor in determining the diamond's value, along with its cut, colour, and clarity. Carat is also used to establish the combined weight of all the diamonds found in a particular piece along with the weight of individual gemstones.
WHAT IS AN IDEAL DIAMOND CARAT SIZE?
Even though people put a lot of emphasise on carat size, particularly when it comes to accessories when your diamond is the centrepiece such as engagement rings and diamond necklaces, there really is no ‘ideal’ carat size. The ideal diamond carat size is ultimately down to personal preference and of course, what kind of stones are in your budget. It's important to remember that carat size isn't the only factor that will affect a diamond's appearance and value. And while there has always been an emphasis on ‘the bigger, the better’, that isn’t always the case. Some people prefer diamonds that are under a carat because they fit in better with their lifestyle. For example, those with small hands and shorter fingers may be conscious of getting a stone that is too big in the event that it doesn’t flatter them. Those who work with their hands may also prefer a smaller stone because it is less likely to get caught on objects such as items of clothing. Contrastingly, those who are eager to make a bold statement with their jewellery may opt for a larger stone in hope that it has a better chance of catching people’s eye with its epic size and radiant sparkle.
While the average carat size for bridal jewellery can vary significantly based on several factors including geographic location, cultural beliefs and backgrounds along with personal preference. A recent survey conducted by The Knot suggests that the average size for engagement rings lingers around the 1-carat mark. However, it’s worth noting that while rings between 1.08 and 1.2 carats are the benchmark for rings used for popping the question, our tastes in engagement rings have also shifted significantly in recent years. This may or may not have unconsciously altered our carat size preferences too. In the late noughties and early 2010s, bulky and more elaborately designed rings often adorned with halo settings dominated the wedding zeitgeist. Now, as we tread into the mid-2020s, our tastes feel somewhat more subdued and minimalist. More brides and even grooms are opting for daintier styles with smaller stones or a single large centre on a thin, finely polished band.
Elegant and classic diamond solitaire engagement rings have never been more popular thanks to this ongoing fascination with classic and simplistic designs. Even thin wedding rings with very fine bands and dainty stones set into a pave design or even no stones at all are super popular at the moment. So, you could say that being understated with your jewellery has become one of the biggest statements of them all. At least, at this very moment in time, it is.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR DIAMOND LOOK BIGGER
If you are conscious about the size of your diamond and it's not in your budget to buy a stone of larger carat size, there are fortunately ways around this. These are three of the different ways that you can help emphasise your diamond and make it appear bigger than it actually is
Choose a Diamond Shape That Creates an Illusion Of Size
Despite being of the same weight and carat size, certain diamond cuts can appear larger than others due to their slightly elongated shape. This is why marquise, oval and even emerald cut diamonds are all popular choices for solitaire rings, as they can give the illusion that the stone is bigger than it is. Similarly, a pear-shaped diamond can also create a similar effect because of its long, curved body and tapered point. Many diamond enthusiasts are also drawn to these popular stone cuts because they help to subtly elongate the finger, making it appear longer and slender.
Choose A Setting That Helps Enhance The Diamond's Size
Diamond halo settings where a circle, square or rectangular collection of smaller diamonds surround the centre stone, can make the diamond appear larger. Another option is to choose a bezel setting where the metal surrounds the diamond, making it appear larger. Bezel settings are also a great option for people that work with their hands as it makes the stone feel more secure. Alternatively, opting for larger pave or cluster styles can also trick people into thinking your diamond is bigger by not only enhancing the sparkle but also by making multiple stones the focal point of your piece rather than just one single stone. A thinner band can create an optical illusion of a larger diamond because the band won't distract from the piece’s centre stone.
Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkle
Paying closer attention to the clarity grade when choosing your diamond is another quick and easy way to make your diamond feel bigger than it actually is. A diamond's clarity refers to the number and size of inclusions, or internal flaws, that it contains. Diamonds with higher clarity grades have fewer internal imperfections, which allows more light to pass through and enhance the diamond's brilliance, therefore resulting in a bigger and brighter sparkle. So, by opting for a greater clarity grade you are able to steer people’s focus away from your diamond’s mass and onto its brilliance instead. Keeping your clean and washing it regularly with also ensure your diamond’s sparkle will never become dull.
