| When looking for an engagement ring, one quality | | | | that is cut too deep can actually look smaller than |
| that is always considered is diamond carats. You | | | | a 0.95 stone that is well proportioned. |
| might assume that, like in other materials, a higher | | | | Because larger gemstones are more rare and in |
| carat translates to a bigger gemstone. This is not | | | | more demand than smaller stones of the same |
| always the case. Let's take a look at diamond | | | | quality, they are sold for a higher price. A 1.00 ct |
| weight and how you can save money by | | | | diamond solitaire ring is nearly always more |
| choosing wisely. | | | | expensive than a ring made up of multiple |
| The word "carat" originated from the Greek word | | | | diamonds that are similar but smaller, even though |
| keration, which means "fruit of the carob tree." In | | | | the ct TW is the same or more. Stones that |
| ancient times, the seeds of the carob pod were | | | | weigh just under the next full carat are usually |
| used as a standard for weight measurements, | | | | less expensive those passing the full carat hurdle. |
| since the size of their seeds were almost always | | | | What you should do is find a stone that weighs |
| identical. Therefore, it is also the term used to | | | | 90 points (9/10ths of a carat) instead of a full |
| express the weight of a diamond. | | | | carat. When set in gold, no one can see the |
| Ct is the abbreviation of carat and it refers to the | | | | difference and you'll enjoy a big savings in cost. |
| weight of a single stone. The abbreviation ct TW | | | | At certain levels, prices per carat increase |
| is a shortened way to write carat total weight | | | | substantially. These levels are 0.50 ct, 0.70 ct, 1.00 |
| and it is used to express the total weight of | | | | ct, 1.25 ct, 1.50 ct, 2.00 ct, 3.00 ct and 5.00 ct. If |
| multiple stones that are used in a piece of | | | | you stay just under these "magic marks", you |
| jewelry. The weight of smaller diamonds is often | | | | could be saving yourself a bundle. |
| referred to as points. There are 100 points in a | | | | Additional Things To Consider |
| carat. One way to look at it is to say that each | | | | - If carat weight or size is your most important |
| point equals 0.01 or one-hundredths of a carat. For | | | | attribute, (for many people it is very important) |
| example, 0.25 means twenty-five one-hundredths. | | | | that is perfectly fine. But do consider the 3 C's, |
| So a 0.25 carat diamond would equal twenty five | | | | especially cut. Additionally selecting a stone which |
| points of one quarter of a carat. | | | | is graded slightly lower in terms of color and carat |
| Diamond carats are often confused with stone | | | | can get you a larger diamond of excellent quality. |
| sizes when it is actually a measure of weight. It is | | | | - Finger size is an important consideration as well. |
| for this reason that people seem to think that a | | | | Small fingers will make a gemstone appear larger. |
| higher carat means a bigger diamond. The cut of | | | | - The general rule of thumb when buying an |
| a gemstone can make it appear larger or smaller | | | | engagement ring is "two month's salary." This is |
| than it's actual weight. As a result, it is possible to | | | | just a guideline, it's not carved in stone. But it |
| have 2 diamonds of the same carat weight | | | | comes in useful when establishing a budget for |
| appear to be different sizes. When a gemstone is | | | | how much you can comfortable invest in the ring. |
| cut with the proper proportions, the maximum | | | | When it comes to picking a gemstone, diamond |
| amount of light (brilliance) is returned out of the | | | | carats are an important factor. But it's not the |
| top of the stone, making it appear larger. In a | | | | most important. While the size and weight of a |
| poorly cut diamond, much of it's weight may be | | | | stone have the biggest impact on it's price, when |
| hidden in it's base, making it appear smaller than | | | | you know how to choose wisely, you could end |
| it's weight would imply. Therefore, a 1.00 ct stone | | | | up paying less for more. |