History of Carat
The term “carat” is derived from the Greek word “keration,” which means “carob seed.” In ancient times, carob seeds were used as weights in balance scales due to their uniform size and weight. Over time, these seeds became the standard unit of measurement for gemstones.
In 1907, the Fourth General Conference on Weights and Measures established the metric carat that is used today. According to this standard, one carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Thanks to this standardization, the diamond industry now has a consistent method for evaluating diamonds and other gemstones.
Carat vs. Size: What’s the Difference?
While “carat” refers to the weight of a gemstone, it does not directly correlate to its size. The size of a diamond is influenced by its shape, cut, and proportions. For example, two diamonds with the same carat weight can look quite different in size depending on whether they are cut deep or shallow.
- Carat: A measure of weight, with 1 carat equal to 200 milligrams.
- Size: Refers to the physical dimensions of the diamond, such as its diameter or depth. The size can vary greatly for diamonds of the same carat weight due to different cuts and shapes.
Therefore, a higher carat weight does not necessarily mean a larger looking diamond.
What Affects the Size of a Diamond?
The size of a diamond is influenced by several factors beyond just its carat weight:
- Cut: The way a diamond is cut affects its proportions and overall appearance. A well-cut diamond can appear larger than a poorly cut one of the same carat weight.
- Shape: Different shapes (round, oval, princess, etc.) have different proportions and can affect how large or small the diamond looks.
- Proportions: The depth and width of a diamond’s cut will influence how much light it reflects, as well as its overall size appearance.
- Table Size: The table is the flat top surface of the diamond. A larger table can make the diamond look bigger, even if it is the same carat weight as a diamond with a smaller table.
These factors together determine the overall “visual size” of the diamond. Thus, two diamonds with the same carat weight can have noticeably different appearances depending on these factors.
