Diamond Carat

Diamond carat refers to the weight of a stone, with higher carat diamonds generally appearing larger and being more valuable.

Carat is a measure of weight, not size – though larger carat weights often create the impression of a bigger stone. Of all the 4Cs, carat weight has the biggest influence on price, as rarity increases sharply with size.

One carat equals 0.2 grams and is divided into 100 points. For example, a 0.50ct diamond is the same as 50 points. This precise system allows jewellers to describe a diamond’s weight with accuracy, whether it’s a delicate quarter-carat or a statement two-carat stone.

While the diamonds shown above are not actual size, the increase in proportion between each is to scale. As you can see, a 1.00ct stone is not twice the size of a 0.50ct stone.

Understanding Diamond Carat and Value

A diamond that is twice the weight of another can cost more than four times the price. This is because larger diamonds are discovered far less often, making them rarer and therefore more valuable.

To help you choose the right carat weight, we’ve prepared some tips that take into account budget, quality, and the wearer’s finger size.

There’s no single “right” carat weight – the perfect diamond is the one that feels right for your style, your budget, and the love story it represents.

A little something to remember… do not confuse ‘carat weight’ with ‘carat/karat’ which is the method of determining the purity of gold (e.g. 18ct white gold, 18ct yellow gold for yellow gold half eternity ring).