Diamond weight is expressed in carats. For small diamonds carats are divided into 100 points, so a 0.80 carat diamond is called an 80 pointer. Another term used by professionals is grain. A grain is equal to 25 points so a 1.00 carat diamond can be called 1ct, or 100 points, or 4 grains. In the metric system one carat is equal to 200 milligrams.
CUT influences size-appearance
Diamonds of the same carat weight MAY NOT have the same vertical spread. It all depends on how they were cut. Diamonds with cut that is too deep or shallow can look small for their weight and/or have poor or reduced light performance.
Yield of the largest possible diamond from the rough shape is the primary goal of diamond cutters. That means many diamonds are cut more shallow or deep than is best for the optical performance of the diamond.
Look at the diamond’s grading report for its measurements in millimeters. The first two numbers are its minimum and maximum spread. Be certain the diamond has appropriate spread for carat weight.
CUT influences edge-to-edge brightness
When a diamond has the correct critical angles and precision for maximum light return it will display edge-to-edge brightness. Diamonds of top cut will appear larger in soft light than diamonds of normal cut quality.
- Photo courtesy of Garry Holloway
Carat Weight: What do I look for?
To maximize size-appearance and edge-to-edge brightness look for diamonds with the best possible cut quality.
Diamonds of top cut quality will demonstrate superior brightness, dispersion, contrast and scintillation, even when removed from jewelry store lighting and observed through the infinite panoramas of real-world lighting that we live in. They will sizzle with sparkle in bright light and still have bold flashes of rainbow color in soft lighting where other diamonds go dark.
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