4 C’s of diamonds – Carat size

4 C’s of diamonds – Carat size

Use this tool to see the proportion of the different carat sizes
Size – The Carat size is probably the most effecting factor on a Diamond price.

When a rough diamond is being cut and polished it is loosing between 40%-60% out of the rough material – a huge lose; therefore every difference in weight makes a difference in price.

When a diamond manufacturer is determining the price of a cut diamond, he uses first the Rapaport price sheet. The sheet is divided to two: The round diamonds and the fantasy diamonds (all the other shapes).

Each one of the lists contain14 tables that are differ by the sizes – see example:

The main size categories are: 0.50-0.69CT/0.70-0.89CT/0.90-0.99CT/1.00-1.49Ct/1.50-1.99Ct/2.00-2.99/3.00-3.99CT/4.00-4.99Ct/5.00-9.99Ct/10.00 Ct and up

Like I said before, I would recommend figuring out a budget that will assist you to determine which diamond you want.

The most important tips regarding size that I can give you:

Like you already understand, the larger the diamond the higher the price (if it has the same color, clarity and cut).

But, if you are willing to compromise on one of the aspects of a diamond (the 4 C’s) the price can change enormously.

Two main Phrases that Diamond dealers use are:

1. “Oversized diamond” – A diamond that is little larger in its category. For example: 1.10 – 1.30 Carat is the “oversize” of the 1.00 Carat Size category
2. “Undersize” – A diamond that is little smaller then the  category above it: For example: 0.95 – 0.99 Carat is the  “undersize” – yes I know that the 0.90-0.99 has it’s own category, but you have to understand that it is called “undersize” since it’s very close in size, but different in price.

This information can play in your favor and I will explain why: If the size is more important for you and you are willing to settle with a lower color, quality or make you can chose a larger diamond then you have planned. You will get a larger diamond with a small compromise on Color, Quality or cut – in my opinion I would compromise color over quality or cut.

On the other hand if you care more about color, quality or cut. Or if you just want to save some money without hardly seeing the difference you can go for a smaller size of a diamond such as 0.93 Ct. It will look almost the same (I will bet that %90 of you won’t see the difference of size between a well cut 0.94 carat to a 1.00 carat diamond) and gain a better color, quality, cut or price.

My “saving a lot of money” on Diamonds Tips are:

0.82 – 0.88 Carat over 0.90 – 0.97 Carat

0.92 – 0.98 Carat over 1.00 – 1.07 Carat

1.35 – 1.48 Carat over 1.50 – 1.60 Carat

1.75 – 1.90 Carat over 2.00 – 2.10 Carat

To summarize – Once you know your budget, you want to decide; what are the aspects you care the most regarding the Diamond you wish to buy.

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