Diamonds are sold according to weight, which is
measured in carats* and points. To illustrate,
think of this: when you buy bananas at the grocery store, they are
put on a scale and sold to you by weight, and that weight is pounds
and ounces. Diamonds are sold the same way; they are put on a scale
and sold by weight, but that weight is carats and points.
A carat is subdivided into 100 points, so a diamond weighing 75 points
is a ¾-carat diamond, 33 points is 1/3-carat, 150 points is a 1.5 carat,
and so on. Points are not to be confused with facets, however, which
are the cut surfaces of the diamond.
Points are measured within ranges, so that a ¾ carat diamond may be
between 69 and 82 points and still be considered a ¾ carat. Note the
table below. |
Our Take: Deciding on
diamond size is really about striking a balance between carat weight
and quality. Men, don’t
get so caught up in the technical aspects of grading that you lose
sight of the romance surrounding this purchase. Our 30 years of experience
in the jewelry business has taught us that nearly 100% of women would
rather have a 1- carat diamond of good quality, than a ½ carat diamond
of excellent quality. Selecting a diamond in the near colorless range
(G-J), and SI1 or SI2 clarity, would allow you to get a larger diamond
that is still beautiful. Diamonds within these ranges are considered
to be the best value, and are the most sought after by consumers.
*When spelled with a “c”, carat is
a unit of weight. When spelled with a “K”, karat refers
to purity of gold. |
