Diamond Carat

Weight and size

Of course, since weight is often linked to size, the higher the diamond carat, the larger the diamond itself is. Moreover, naturally occurring large diamonds are harder to source; therefore, their rarity combined with a higher carat weight makes them exponentially more expensive than other diamonds.

What is Diamond Carat?

More often than not, carat (ct.) is mistaken for a diamond’s size. In actual fact, carat describes the diamond’s weight and not the size of the stone.

As one of the 4 C’s that measures a diamond’s quality, carat plays a role in determining the price of a diamond ring. However, other factors such as colour, clarity, and cut come into play, meaning two diamonds of the same carat may vary greatly regarding price.

Weight and size

Did you know?

If you purchase a ring with more than one diamond, you’ll come across the term CTTW (Carat Total Weight). This is the combined weight of all diamonds together on the ring but doesn't take into account other gemstones like sapphires or rubies. Of course, the CTTW number doesn’t decide the cost of the diamond ring alone; again, other factors like the quality of the diamonds come into play when deciding the ring’s price tag.

History of Diamond Carat Weight

Why do we use the word ‘carat’ when referring to a diamond’s weight? Carat comes from carob, the seed which was originally used to measure a diamond’s weight. Over time, this word developed etymologically into carat since it sounds similar to carob.

Did you know?

‘Carat’ and ‘karat’ are two very different things. Despite having the same pronunciation, the former is used to measure diamond weight while the latter is employed to determine the purity of gold.

Diamond Certificates at AURONIA

Each AURONIA ring made with a 0.3 carat diamond or bigger comes with a GIA-grade diamond to assure quality. All GIA certified diamonds that we use at AURONIA are Triple X cut, meaning the stone is excellent regarding its cut, polish, and symmetry.

GIA Certification

GIA (the Gemological Institute of America) is the leading global body regarding the grading and evaluating of gemstones. The GIA clarity scale enables all diamonds to be graded under an internationally standardised system to help customers purchase the best quality stone.

GIA examines diamonds before giving them a certificate that details all of the critical characteristics of the stone, including the clarity grade and whether there are any other noticeable surface blemishes.

As well as the above, certified GIA gemstone certificates include other information about the diamond, such as the shape, cut, carat, and colour. Certificates can also provide information about the fluorescence, polish, and symmetry of the diamond. Each certificate also contains a detailed diagram of the diamond’s proportions.

With a GIA-certified diamond, customers can rest assured that they are buying a piece of jewellery with a quality gemstone. The level of detail and research that goes into examining each diamond is first-class and carried out to the highest standards.

Diamond Certificates at AURONIA

Does Diamond Carat Matter?

A diamond’s carat is often the most talked-about aspect of a ring - but is it the most important factor? Despite popular opinion, you shouldn’t purchase a ring solely based on carat weight alone.

First of all, a higher carat does not equal more sparkle; the cut is far more important since this affects a diamond’s fire, which is how the diamond catches and reflects light. Even a massive stone with a high carat can sometimes look dull if it doesn’t come in the right cut.

It’s also essential to consider diamond carat based on the band you choose. A high diamond carat can often overwhelm a dainty and thin band, whereas a lower carat can get lost in an intricately designed band. For example, the wider a ring’s band, the smaller the diamond will look. Therefore, choose a carat that will fit the proportions of your ring well.

The diamond’s setting can also affect how the stone appears. For example, if you choose a bezel setting, then your diamond will be fully enclosed and appear smaller. On the other hand, a 4-prong setting only encompasses the diamond at 4 points, making it a better option for smaller carats.

Another factor to consider is the size of your fingers and hands. If you have small, slim fingers, then the diamond may appear much larger in comparison. This means that a high carat may not be necessary, as something too big may look out of place with the shape and size of your hands.

Make your diamond appear larger by opting for a multi-stone, pavé or halo-setting.

If you have a smaller budget, then a high carat will most likely not be an option for you. Unfortunately, carat is the most significant factor in determining a diamond ring price. However, a slightly lower carat weight may save you some money without there being too much of a drastic change in size.

If you cannot afford a higher carat, you can make your diamond appear larger by opting for a multi-stone, pavé or halo-setting. Adding a few smaller stones to your ring will enhance its appearance without drastically increasing the price.

AURONIA's Recommendation

For the best diamond ring, we recommend a good balance across the 4 C’s: clarity, cut, colour, and carat. Make sure that you find the right cut since this most affects the diamond’s sparkle, and choose a clarity and colour quality that suits your preferences and budget.

Make your diamond appear larger by opting for a multi-stone, pavé or halo-setting.

AURONIA's Recommendation

Carat at AURONIA

AURONIA offers a range of wedding and engagement rings of varying carat weights. All of our diamonds are hand-selected by our experts to ensure the highest standard of quality. Each diamond must meet our stone criteria to be used in an AURONIA ring.

For engagement rings, AURONIA offers stones ranging from 0.05 ct. to 2.5 ct.; our wedding ring diamonds range between 0.005 ct. to 0.3 ct.

AURONIA's Guarantee

All AURONIA diamonds are calibrated, ensuring that each stone with the same carat weight has the same size. This ensures that ring designs consisting of multiple diamonds look uniform.

Diamond Size Chart: Measurement

Use our to-scale measurement chart to see the various sizes of AURONIA diamonds.

Carat Weight	0.05	0.1	0.15	0.25	0.40	0.50	0.70	1.00	1.50	2.00	2.50
Round	2.4 mm	3 mm	3.4 mm	4.1 mm	4.8 mm	5.2 mm	5.8 mm	6.5 mm	7.4 mm	8.2 mm	8.8mm
Princess	2 x 2 mm	2.5 x 2.5 mm	2.9 x 2.9 mm	3.5 x 3.5 mm	4 x 4 mm	4.3 x 4.3 mm	4.8 x 4.8 mm	5.5 x 5.5 mm	6.3 x 6.3 mm	6.8 x 6.8 mm	7.4 x 7.4 mm
Cushion	2.1 x 2.1 mm	2.7 x 2.7 mm	3.1 x 3.1 mm	3.6 x 3.6 mm	4.3 x 4.3 mm	4.6 x 4.6 mm	5.2 x 5.2 mm	5.8 x 5.8 mm	6.6 x 6.6 mm	7.3 x 7.3 mm	7.8 x 7.8 mm
Oval	4 x 2 mm	4.7 x 2.7 mm	4.9 x 2.9 mm	5.5 x 3.5 mm	6 x 4.3 mm	6.4 x 4.5 mm	7.1 x 5.1 mm	8 x 5.7 mm	9.2 x 6.6 mm	10.1 x 7.2 mm	10 x 8 mm
Emerald	3 x 1.7 mm	3.8 x 2 mm	4.2 x 2.5 mm	4.6 x 3.3 mm	5.2 x 3.7 mm	5.5 x 3.9 mm	6.2 x 4.4 mm	7 x 5 mm	8 x 5.7 mm	8.8 x 6.3 mm	9 x 7 mm
Pear	X	4 x 2.2 mm	4.6 x 3 mm	5.4 x 3.6 mm	6.3 x 4.2 mm	6.7 x 4.5 mm	7.5 x 5 mm	8.5 x 5.7 mm	9.7 x 6.5 mm	10.7 x 7.1 mm	11 x 8 mm