| Diamond Carat Weight |
 The carat is the unit of measurement for the physical weight of diamonds. One carat equals 0.200 grams or 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. For comparison, in units more familiar in the United States, one carat equals 0.007 ounce avoirdupois. Carat Weight is the most objective of the diamond’s 4Cs. It involves no estimates, comparisons, or judgments. All that is required is a precisely balanced scale capable of measuring extremely small weights. In the AGS Laboratories, Carat Weight is measured using a digital scale. Despite the ease of measurement and the relative unimportance of diamond weight, there are some facts you should understand about a diamond’s weight and price. Comparing the value of diamonds by Carat Weight is like comparing the value of paintings by size. A wall-sized canvas by an unskilled artist may be bigger than a miniature by Rembrandt, but it will not be worth more. Large diamonds are rarer than smaller ones, and as the carat weight increases, the value of the diamond increases as well. However, the increase in value is not proportionate to the size increase. For example, a one-carat diamond will cost more than twice that of a ½-carat diamond (assuming Color, Clarity, and Cut grade are the same). Weight does not always enhance the value of a diamond, either. Two diamonds of equal weight may be unequal in value, depending upon other determining factors such as Cut, Color, and Clarity. In fact, if a diamond is improperly cut, the added weight may serve only to reduce its brilliance. For these reasons you should consult an American Gem Society® jeweler or other credentialed jeweler regarding the weight, quality, and value of a particular diamond. The best way to see the difference in weight versus cut is to look at an AGS Ideal® cut diamond (be sure it comes with an AGS Laboratories diamond grading report to verify). Then look at the largest diamond in the store that is not an AGS Ideal® cut. You will see a noticeable difference.  This picture is not actual size |
