CARAT

CARAT is the unit of measurement used to express the weight of diamonds and gemstones. Its abbreviation is ct. Carat weight is one of the key characteristics considered when assessing a diamond.

One carat is equal to 0.2 grams, or 200 milligrams, and is divided into 100 points. Diamonds weighing less than one carat may therefore be expressed in points: for example, a 0.55 ct diamond may be referred to as a 55-point diamond.

1 carat = 0.2 g = 200 mg = 100 points

The price of a lab-grown diamond generally increases disproportionately as carat weight increases. This is particularly noticeable around certain key weight thresholds, such as 0.50 ct, 1 ct, 1.50 ct and 2 ct. As a result, a diamond weighing 0.97 ct may be priced differently from a comparable 1 ct diamond.

Carat refers to weight, not physical dimensions. Depending on their proportions and shape, diamonds of the same carat weight can therefore appear larger or smaller when viewed from above. Oval, pear, emerald, radiant and other elongated shapes may, for example, offer a different visual presence from a round diamond of the same weight.

A brief history of the carat

The word carat is historically associated with carob seeds, which were once used as reference weights. In 1907, the metric carat was standardized at 0.2 grams, a measurement that is now used internationally.