How Big Is A One Carat Diamond Ring?
Carat weight originated in ancient Mediterranean societies where people would trade diamonds based on their equivalent weight in Carob seeds. These days, carat weight is a universal measurement that is recognised around the world in reference to diamonds.
Unlike what you might think, carats refer to the weight of a diamond, not its size. A 1 carat diamond simply means 0.2 grams of diamond. In technical terms, we like to say that one carat is equal to 100 points, meaning that a diamond weighing 0.5 carats is 50 points.
Today, many people associate the value of a diamond ring with its carat weight, but a diamond’s mass is only one element we take into consideration when determining a diamond’s value. The larger the diamond does not always equal the best diamond. Here’s why…
What other elements make the perfect diamond?
The value of a one carat diamond engagement ring is about more than the size of the diamond itself. A ring is valued based on the metal and style of the engagement ring, along with three other criteria of diamond grading. The main factors for grading a diamond are known as ‘the 4C’s’: cut, clarity, colour, and carat. So, a 1 carat diamond ring with a diamond that features an excellent cut, flawless clarity and D-colour is worth more than a 2 carat diamond with a fair cut, a lower colour grade and a slightly included clarity.
When searching for your perfect diamond, you’ll be exploring a give and take between all 4C’s to find a diamond that will deliver the best quality within your price point and the design requirements of your diamond engagement ring.
At Taylor & Hart, we always say that you’ve got to consider the cut, colour and clarity of your diamond first, and only then choose the carat weight that fits your price point.
Diamond choice really does come down to your personal preferences. It helps to consider how your diamond will look on the finger (size is a big factor when considering this) and decide on a budget before beginning your search through our classic collection of diamond engagement rings.
If the size of the diamond for your engagement ring is important to you, consider the shape of the diamond when making your selection. Although two diamonds might weight the same, if they have two different shapes they can look totally different when set within a ring. For example, a one carat oval cut diamond can appear larger than a one carat round cut diamond. Elongated diamond shapes—like the marquise, oval, and emerald cut—can often seem larger in appearance than other diamond shapes.
That being said, round brilliant diamonds carry a small premium over other fancy shapes. This really comes down to the popularity of this classic diamond shape, and the amount of diamond rough that is lost in the cutting process when producing a round diamond. For many, a round diamond will be a no-brainer and they’ll be willing to extend their budget to get a coveted 1 carat round diamond. For others, alternative diamond shapes (known as ‘fancy diamond cuts’) are an exciting choice because not only do they fetch a lower price but they can also appear larger on the finger than their round counterparts.
There’s nothing that puts any particular 1 carat diamond ahead of another based solely on shape. It just comes down to what design and what diamond speak to you most!
So, how valuable is the one carat diamond?
The value of a one carat diamond ring is dependent on the combination of the 4C’s, and the price can range anywhere from £2,000 to £20,000. This conveys the impact that colour, clarity, and cut have on a diamond’s value—not just carat weight.
At Taylor & Hart, we go above and beyond to make sure that you get the best ring possible within a price point that suits you. Have any questions or queries? Don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll get you on the right track!
