If you’ve ever shopped for diamond jewelry, you’ve probably seen the word carat once or twice. But what is a carat? Only through a diamond’s color, clarity, cut, and its number of carats is its worth established. As a leading jewelry store near you, Norman Hege Jewelers wants you to understand more about carats and what they mean as it relates to diamonds:
- Carat vs. Karat – There’s a difference between carats and karats. Carats are units of measurements for diamonds. Karats are units of measurements for gold.
- Unit of measurement – Carats are used to determine a diamond’s weight. A carat is a small unit of mass that’s equal to about 200 milligrams. Carats are commonly referred to as “points.” For example, you may hear a jeweler refer to a diamond as a “seventy-five pointer.” This means that a diamond has 0.75 carats.
- Not size, but weight – Besides being confused for karats, carats are also misinterpreted as being a measurement of size. However, carats only measure a diamond’s weight. A diamond’s heaviness is what truly matters when it comes to labeling its worth.
- Determining value – The more carats a diamond has, the more it will be worth. For example, a 5 carat diamond will be worth more than a 3.5 carat diamond. The more carats a diamond has, the larger it will be. Although we did mention that size is not a factor in determining a diamond’s worth, it is true that larger diamonds are worth more. However, that’s only because of its number of carats.
One of the benefits of working with a local jeweler is the opportunity to truly learn about the diamonds you’re buying. When you’re looking for quality diamonds that meet the highest standards for carat, cut, color and clarity, you’ll find them at Norman Hege Jewelers in Rock Hill, SC. Call or come by our jewelry store today!