What are Carats? | Diamond Carat Explained

Carats: What is Carat and How Do Carats Impact the Value Of a Diamond?

Carat is one of the 4Cs of diamond grading. Along with cut, color and clarity, it is one of the characteristics gemologists consider when comparing and valuing diamonds. GoldFellow® considers these characteristics as well as the current diamond market in determining the price we will pay for your diamonds. We believe the more you know about diamonds and how they are valued, the more satisfying your diamond selling experience will be.

Carats are a metric unit of weight used in the weighing of diamonds and other gemstones. One carat weighs .2 grams. The term carat is derived from the seed of the carob tree – a tree which flourished in the Mediterranean region and whose seeds were used in gem trade. Historically, carob seeds which are relatively uniform were used as counter weights when weighing diamonds on a scale. One carob seed = approximately one modern-day carat.

When describing the weight of diamonds one carat or smaller, the diamond is divided into points, each equal to 1/100th of a carat. One hundred points equals one carat. Therefore a 75 point stone for example weighs ¾ of a carat and is written, .75 ct. Carat weight for diamonds over one carat is expressed as a decimal weighed to the thousandth and rounded to the hundredth. An example of this would be a 1.50 carat diamond which means the diamond weighs one and a half carats.

The actual length and width measurements of diamonds in millimeters can vary between stones of the same carat weight depending on the cut. But, these measurements are not considered in diamond valuation though they will impact the way the diamond appears to the naked eye. Only carat along with cut, color and clarity are factored into valuation.

Most diamond jewelry today contains diamonds weighing less than one carat. Diamonds weighing more than one carat are more rare in nature and therefore may be exponentially more valuable than smaller diamonds of similar quality. At GoldFellow®, we will give you cash for diamonds of nearly every quality so long as the diamond weighs .25 carat or more. We do not purchase stones smaller than .25 carat but are happy to remove and return prong set stones over 2mm. Please consult our gemstone policy for more information.

“Carat” which refers to a diamond’s weight is not related to “karat” which is used to describe the purity of gold. For information about getting cash for gold or about all karats of gold, visit our Gold Facts Site Map.

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Carats: What is Carat and How Do Carats Impact the Value Of a Diamond?

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