Carat is the unit weight of diamonds. Heavier and larger diamonds are much rarer.

It was believed that the earliest diamond merchants used carob seeds as weights to determine the weight of diamonds. A single carob seed weighs approximately 200 milligrams. The near identical density of diamonds means that heavier diamonds are larger; the larger the diamond, the rarer it is, thereby resulting in a higher price per carat.

Out of the 4Cs, carat is the most easily determined. However, diamonds of the same carat weight may vary in price due to the difference of their cut, color, and clarity.

GIA certificates record the weight of diamonds below one carat to the second decimal place, disregarding the third decimal place unless its value is 0.009. Each carat is equivalent to 100 points, meaning a 0.75 carat diamond is equivalent to 75 points. Out of the 4Cs, carat is the most easily determined. However, diamonds of the same carat weight may vary in price due to the difference of their cut, color, and clarity. It’s worth noting that the price between a one and two carat diamond is not a simple doubling of price.

If you have a specific budget, you’ll also find a wide range of diamonds to choose from within your budget range. Avoid specific weight numbers whenever possible ( 0.50Ct, 1Ct, 1.5Ct). For instance, 0.99Ct is priced much lower than a 1Ct diamond even if they are nearly identical in weight.

If your partner is a sporty person or doesn’t have the habit of wearing jewelry, it’s possible they may accidentally bump or scratch their ring. It’s worth considering a smaller diamond or bezel insert setting capable of protecting larger diamonds from direct impact.

Diamonds will feel and appear relatively larger on smaller fingers. A 1 carat center stone on a size 4 ring will look one size larger compared to a size 8 ring.

Once you’ve chosen a setting, pay attention to the size limitations for your center stone. If you have budget constraints but the size of your diamond is the most important factor, you may consider forgoing the three colors of D, E, and F. Regardless of your choice, you’ll be able to give your partner an excellent 3EX grade diamond through the stringent standards of ALUXE.