About Diamond Weights

Diamonds are measured in Carat Weight.
One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a
diamond is referred to as four grains, this
also means that it is a one carat diamond.
The word Carat comes from the word carob.
A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the
Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond
weighed the same as a carob bean, it was
one carob, or one carat.

However, in the far east, where Carob trees
do not grow, rice was used to measure the
weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed
as much as four grains of rice, it was four
grains – or one carat as we know it to be
now. The majority of diamond purchases
are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat.

Beware when shopping for diamonds that
are already set or mounted. If more than one
diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the
jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total
Weight – it does not tell you the carat weight
of each stone in the piece. You need to ask
the jeweler for the total carat weight of the
largest diamond in the piece to truly
understand what you are buying.

Other Articles:

About Diamond Weights
All About The Clarity Of Diamonds
Are Diamonds Really Rare?
Bonded Diamonds
Buying Diamonds Online
Choosing The Cut Of A Diamond
Colored Diamonds
Diamond Brands And What They Mean
Diamond Certificates
Diamond Grading Reports
Diamond Scams
Famous Diamonds
How Diamonds Are Cut
How Diamonds Are Mined
How Diamond Prices Are Determined
How To Buy Diamond Engagement Rings
How To Care For Your Diamond
How To Clean Your Diamonds
How To Sell A Diamond
How To Spot A Fake Diamond
Insuring Your Diamonds
Selecting Diamonds
Synthetic Diamonds
What Are Dirty Diamonds?
Where Diamonds Are Mined