"Carat"is the standard measure used for diamond weight. 1.00 carat = .20 gram.

Diamonds are priced “per carat” and the heavier the diamond the higher the price per carat.

Example: Consider two identical quality and shape diamonds... a 1.00 carat and a 2.00 carat. If the price for the 1.00 carat stone is $6000.... the 2.00 carat would be $7700 per carat... $15,400 for the stone.

Price per carat is related to rarity. Mother nature provides an adequate supply of diamonds .75 carat and below...but larger diamonds are truly scarce and become more rare as they get larger.

To recover a single rough diamond weighing 1.00 carat, a mine must process approximately 20 tons of earth... incredible but true!

A rough diamond will lose 30 to 60 percent of its original weight in the cutting process. The actual percentage loss depends upon the rough and the shape being produced. Therefore a 2.00 carat 'rough diamond' [on average] is required to produce a 1.00 polished gem.

The "price per carat" example above illustrates the incentive cutters have to produce heavier rather than more beautiful diamonds. Weight can be "added" to the girdle, crown, and pavilion of a diamond by manipulating the proportion. Unfortunately this strategy produces diamonds with a smaller 'face to weight ratio,' and less brilliance.

To protect the value of your purchase be sure to consider carat weight in conjunction with cut and proportion, and allow a trusted expert to guide you through the selection process.