4 C’s of diamonds – Carat size
Diamonds are weighed in Carats; one carat weight is equal to 0.2 grams. Carat size is the most effecting factor on a Diamond’s price.
When a rough diamond is cut and polished there is a loss of 40%-60% of a rough material – a huge lose; therefore every difference in weight causes a difference in price.
When a diamond manufacturer is determining the price of a cut diamond, he will use the Rapaport price sheet. The sheet is divided into two groups: 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
2.00-2.99CT
3.00-3.99CT
4.00-4.99CT
5.00-9.99CT
10.00 CT and up
The most important tips regarding size are:
As you already understand, the larger the diamond, the higher it price will be (if it has the same color, clarity and cut).
Compromising on each one of the 4 C’s will lower the price of the diamond – it is a give and take game, every compromise you are performing either will lower the price or will enable you to keep the budget and gain a higher grade of one or more of the other 4 C’s.
Two main Phrases that Diamond dealers are using:
- “Oversized diamond” – A diamond that is a bit larger than its weight category. For example: 1.10 – 1.30 Carat is the “oversize” of the 1.00 Carat Size category
- “Undersize” – A diamond that is a bit smaller than the category above it: For example: 0.95 – 0.99 Carat is the “undersize” of the 1.00 – 1.50 carat category.
This information can play in your favor: If the size is more important for you and you are willing to settle with a lower Color, Clarity or Cut, you can chose a larger diamond than you have planned. You will get a larger diamond with a slight compromise on the other 3 C’s.
On the other hand if you care more about color, quality or cut. Or if you just want to save some money without barely seeing the difference, you can go for a smaller size of a diamond such as 0.93 Carat and It will appear almost the same (I am certain that %90 of you won’t see the difference of size between a well cut 0.94 carat to a 1.00 carat diamond). By compromising size you will gain a better color, quality, cut or price.
My saving money categories 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 decide on your budget, you should decide on the aspects you care the most regarding the Diamond you wish to buy and which ones you are willing to compromise on.