CARAT – C1 OF 4CS: THE FOUNDATION OF SPARKLE
Diamonds are mankind's most timeless treasure. Their value begins with the carat, the unit of measurement for their weight. But what exactly does carat mean, where does this term come from, and how important is the carat weight for the overall value of a diamond?
What is CARAT?
The carat ( CARAT ) refers to the weight of a diamond. One carat is exactly 0.20 grams and is divided into 100 points. A diamond with 50 points therefore weighs 0.50 CARAT (0.50 ct). The term CARAT comes from ancient times, when diamonds were weighed with the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua). These seeds have an astonishingly uniform weight, which made them an ideal natural unit of measurement.
Historical anecdote: In ancient Greece and Rome, the seed of the carob tree was used to determine the weight of gemstones. The term “ CARAT ” is derived from the Greek word “ kerátion ” and the Arabic “ qirat ”, both of which mean “ carob seed”.
How is CARAT calculated?
The calculation of the CARAT weight is now precise and standardized. Modern scales can measure the weight of a diamond to five decimal places. This accuracy is crucial because even the smallest differences in weight can significantly affect the value of a diamond.
Technical information: 1 CARAT = 0.20 grams = 200 milligrams. A diamond weighing 0.75 CARAT would therefore weigh 150 milligrams.
The importance of CARAT for diamond value
CARAT weight is a major factor in a diamond's value, but not the only one. It is estimated that CARAT weight accounts for about 25-35% of a diamond's total value. The remaining 65-75% is determined by the other three Cs (Color, Clarity, Cut).
Valuation: Two diamonds with identical CARAT weight can vary considerably in value depending on their color, clarity and cut quality. A larger diamond (higher CARAT weight) tends to be more valuable, but only if the other Cs are also of high quality.
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Fun Fact: The most expensive diamond in the world, the “Pink Star”, weighs 59.60 CARAT and was sold for an incredible $71.2 million. This shows how CARAT weight, combined with other factors, can dramatically affect the value of a diamond.
final thoughts
CARAT weight is an indispensable criterion in diamond grading and plays an important role in determining price. A higher CARAT weight can increase the value of a diamond, but it is always the interaction of all 4 Cs that determines the final value and beauty of a diamond.
Next blog post: Stay tuned in the next post as we take a closer look at the second C – COLOR – the color of a diamond – and find out how color affects the value and beauty of a diamond.
We hope this insight from jewelry.gio has helped you gain a deeper understanding of CARAT weight and its meaning. Stay tuned for more exciting topics from the world of jewelry and diamonds.
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