The size of your diamond is very much a personal choice and bigger doesn't always mean better!
Diamond carat weight is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs. A metric "carat" is defined as 200 milligrams.
Each carat can be subdivided into 100 'points.' This allows very precise measurements to the hundredth decimal place. A jeweller may describe the weight of a diamond below one carat by its 'points' alone. For instance, the jeweller may refer to a diamond that weighs 0.25 carats as a 'twenty-five pointer.' Diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. A 1.08 carat stone would be described as 'one point zero eight carats.'
All else being equal, diamond price increases with diamond carat weight, because larger diamonds are more rare and more desirable. But two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different values (and prices) depending on three other factors of the diamond 4Cs: Clarity, Colour, and Cut.
It's important to remember that a diamond's value is determined using all of the 4Cs, not just carat weight.
At Rivoli Jewellers we place great emphasis on staff training and are proud that our team are trained to the highest levels though the National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG), the Gemmological Association (Gem-A) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). To speak to a member of our team about your purchase, please call 01534 601930.
Diamond Buying Guide: Colour
Diamond Buying Guide: Clarity
Diamond Buying Guide: Cut