Carat

car·at | ˈker-ət

noun

A unit of weight for diamonds and other gemstones

In the world of jewelry, the term carat refers to the physical weight of a diamond or gemstone, either loose or set in a piece of jewelry. One carat is equal to 0.200 grams, or ⅕ a gram. A carat is subdivided into 100 points. When it comes to a gemstone’s appearance and value, a higher carat weight is typically more desired by jewelry wearers. The larger a gemstone or diamond’s carat weight, the bigger it is. Therefore, higher carat gemstones and diamonds are typically more expensive to purchase, either loose or already set in a piece of jewelry such as a ring or necklace. However, the weight of a gemstone isn’t the only factor that impacts its value. Additional considerations when valuing a gemstone include the gemstone type (diamonds, for example, are more valuable and precious gemstones are more valuable than typical gemstones), its cut, its clarity, and its color.

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