A Complete Guide to Carat Sizing

If you’re in the market for an engagement ring, congratulations! You are about to embark on a truly special journey. You may feel overwhelmed by engagement ring shopping — so many shapes, sizes, colors, and carats!

If the only carats you’re familiar with are in your garden, you’re in the right place. In this post, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about carat sizing to help you shop (or browse) comfortably.

What Is a Carat? 

A carat is a unit of measurement used to measure gemstones, including diamonds. To understand carat sizing, you must recognize that the higher the carat weight number, the larger the diamond. As such, this means as the carat weight increases, the price of the diamond generally increases with it.

The Carat Measuring System 

The carat measuring system was originally developed to help universally classify the weight of diamonds. The word carat actually comes from a Greek word that means “fruit of the Carob tree.” In ancient times, this became a standard for measuring diamonds. No matter where you go, it is universally accepted that one carat is equivalent to the weight of 200 milligrams. 

Though carat size is one component of purchasing a stone, it is important to remember that other factors are equally as important. Keep reading to learn more about the four C’s of diamonds. Also, it is important to note that carats are not just used for diamonds. They can be used for other gemstones too, such as the moissanite in this beautiful two-carat moissanite ring.

The Four C’s of Diamonds

The four C’s of diamonds are:

1. Cut
2. Clarity
3. Color
4. Carats

As you can see, carat weight is not the only component of choosing an engagement ring. The cut of the diamond refers to its shape, for example, a round diamond or princess cut diamond. Check out this stunning princess-cut engagement ring. 

The clarity doesn’t describe how white it is but rather how few inclusions the diamond has. The color of the diamond refers to the ranking of colors, which is ranked on a scale from D to Z. As it gets closer to the end of the alphabet, the color becomes more and more yellow-like. 

To learn more about the four C’s of diamond quality, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is an excellent resource.

Are Carats the Same Thing as Karats? 

People often confuse “carat” with “karat”, but they are not the same thing. A diamond carat, spelled with a C, is the standard weight of a diamond or gemstone. A karat, spelled with a K, differs in that this is used to measure the purity of gold, not diamonds. 

When gold is used to make rings, other metals are often mixed with gold. Standard gold is 24 karat, but when mixed with other metals, this will change the weight of the gold karat. For example, this 14-karat halo engagement ring features 14-karat gold.

How Does the Carat Size Affect the Price of a Ring?

As mentioned above, the carat size will affect the price of the engagement ring. The higher the number of carats, the higher the price of the diamond. Remember, the carat size is not the physical size of the diamond, but rather its weight. The actual size of the diamond is generally measured in millimeters. 

Though you may be tempted to buy the biggest engagement ring your budget allows for, remember that other components play a role in the way the diamond appears to the naked eye. On a budget? This uniquely shaped pear moissanite ring provides the size you’re seeking without the expensive cost of a real diamond.