All about Carat

UPDATED:

What does “Carat” stand for? How big is a one carat diamond? How much does it cost?

What does Carat stand for?

  • Carat is not the size

Although many people tend to believe that carat relates to the size of a diamond, the carat measurement actually refers to the weight of a diamond.

  • Carat is the weight of a diamond

A one-carat diamond weighs 0,2 grams.

Carat weight vs size?

The bigger the carat, the heavier the stone, which of course also means that the stone will be larger.

The tables and pictures below will show you how - for each diamond shape - the measurements of a diamond vary with its carat weight.

NOTE: The tables below serve as indications only. The exact measurements of a diamond can be found in its diamond GIA certificate, which you should always open and carefully read before buying one.

LEARN: How to read and understand a GIA certificate

Round Diamonds

Carat-weight

Length

Width

0.25 ct

4.1 mm

4.1 mm

0.50 ct

5.2 mm

5.2 mm

0.75 ct

5.8 mm

5.8 mm

1.00 ct

6.5 mm

6.5 mm

1.50 ct

7.4 mm

7.4 mm

2.00 ct

8.2 mm

8.2 mm

5.00 ct

11.1 mm

11.1 mm

Oval Diamonds

Carat-weight

Length

Width

0.25 ct

5.0 mm

3.0 mm

0.50 ct

6.0 mm

4.00 mm

0.75 ct

7.0 mm

5.0 mm

1.00 ct

7.5 mm

5.5 mm

1.50 ct

8.5 mm

6.5 mm

2.50 ct

9.00 mm

7.00 mm

5.00 ct

13.9 mm

9.3 mm

Princess-Cut Diamonds

Carat-weight

Length

Width

0.25 ct

3.4 mm

3.4 mm

0.50 ct

4.4 mm

4.4 mm

0.75 ct

5.1 mm

5.1 mm

1.00 ct

5.5 mm

5.5 mm

1.50 ct

6.5 mm

6.5 mm

2.00 ct

7.5 mm

7.5 mm

5.00 ct

9.4 mm

9.4 mm

Pear-shaped diamonds

Carat-weight

Length

Width

0.25 ct

4.5 mm

3.0 mm

0.50 ct

6.0 mm

4.0 mm

0.75 ct

7.5 mm

5.0 mm

1.0 ct

8.4 mm

5.6 mm

1.50 ct

9.0 mm

6.0 mm

2.00 ct

10 mm

6.67 mm

5.00 ct

12.4 mm

8.5 mm

Radiant-cut Diamonds (here: rectangular)

Carat-weigh

Length

Width

0.25 ct

4.3 mm

3.2 mm

0.50 ct

5.6 mm

4.2 mm

0.75 ct

6.2 mm

4.7 mm

1.00 ct

6.9 mm

5.2 mm

1.5 ct

7.5 mm

5.7 mm

2.00 ct

8.3 mm

6.2 mm

5.00 ct

11.2 mm

9.1 mm

Emerald-cut Diamonds

Carat-weight

Length

Width

0.25 ct

5.0 mm

3.3 mm

0.50 ct

6.0 mm

4.0 mm

0.75 ct

6.5 mm

4.3 mm

1.00 ct

6.9 mm

4.6 mm

1.50 ct

8.1 mm

5.4 mm

2.00 ct

8.7 mm

5.8 mm

5.00 ct

11.4 mm

8.5 mm

Carat vs price?

It is common to believe that the price of diamonds increases exponentially in relation to their carat weight. Although this is not totally wrong, two same-sized diamonds can have drastic price differences!

Why? Because a diamond´s carat weight (or size) is not the only factor determining the quality - and price - of a diamond. There are 3 other main factors:

  • The color - assessing how white a diamond is;
  • The clarity - assessing how "pure" a diamond looks like;
  • The cut - assessing how well has a diamond been cut into its final form.

Choose your own diamond!

At My Diamond Ring, you can configure your own engagement ring by choosing your diamond. We offer more than 5000 diamonds in different qualities and price ranges, in order for you to find the diamond that meets your expectations and budget.

LEARN MORE: How to configure your engagement ring in 3 simple steps

LEARN MORE: Diamond Buying Guide - All the tutorials you need to find the perfect diamond!

No matter what you choose, the important thing is that you like the diamond. All diamonds we offer are GIA certified and have been mined under the conditions of the Kimberley Agreement. This guarantees an ethical supply and production chain and prohibits trade with conflict regions worldwide.

MORE: Why do I need a diamond certificate?

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