What is the difference between carat mass and size?
The parameters of a diamond are affected by its size and mass in carats. These are two characteristics that reflect the different properties of the stone. Therefore, we should elaborate on each of them.
A carat of a diamond is simply a unit of its mass. One carat (1 kt) equals 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams.
Determining the value of a stone using carats is a common method affecting price. The more carats, and accordingly the masses, the higher the price will be for a diamond.
What characteristics of a diamond should pay attention first of all
The size is measured by the external parameters of the diamond: its height, width and other characteristics.
Among the additional characteristics, you can select the definition of the size of the top (site) and key proportions that determine the quality of cut.
The size of the tops, play a big role, due to the fact that this is the most visible part of the stone. It is the top that catches the eye, when viewed.
At the same time, the depth of a diamond does not have such a value, since this part of the stone will be hidden behind the rim. The proportions of cut are also important because they affect the brilliance of a stone, its ability to reflect and refract light.
What is the difference in carat mass and size?
As mentioned above, carats determine the weight and weight of a diamond, and dimensions determine its parameters and characteristics.
Therefore, two stones with the same carats can have different sizes and proportions. And at the same time, the same stones in size and diameter may have different carats.
What does the size of a diamond indicate?
While a carat is a value that is not affected by an external factor and the quality of stone processing, the size is determined by the cut.
Some cutting methods do not require depth, while for others, on the contrary, the depth of the stone is important. For example, for an emerald cut diamond, the design does not imply the depth of the facets, and for round borders or for the princess cut, the depth is important. How is the size of the diamond determined?
Despite this, two stones with the same cut and carat size can have different sizes, depending on what proportions the jeweler chose.
One stone may have a greater width, and another one a height. Oddly enough, the depth of the stone affects the visual sense of size.
If the depth is large, then the stone in the jewelry will appear smaller than a similar stone with amaller depth, with the sa sme characteristics of carats and faceting.
How does the size of a stone affect its weight?
By changing the size of certain parts of the diamond, the jeweler can influence its mass. For example, if you take two round diamonds with the same diameter, but one of them will be deeper and with a thick belt, then this stone will be heavier.
A deeper diamond will be more expensive due to the fact that it weighs more, although in size it will seem the same as a less deep stone.
How are round diamonds measured?
The most important measurements of a round diamond are the diameter of its belt and platform, the height of its crown and pavilion, as well as the total depth of the stone.
One of the best ways to make these measurements is with a micrometer or a leveridge instrument (a tool that jewelers often use to measure gems).
Measurement of the diameter of the belt. If you look at the stone from above, its diameter is a straight line that can be drawn through the center connecting two points located opposite each other on the diamond’s belt. If you do not know what a belt is, this is simply the widest part of the diamond (or its outer edge).
Measurement of the diameter of the site. The diamond’s platform is a flat face at its top, and its diameter will be smaller than that of the belt. The diameter of the site is determined by the length of an imaginary straight line that passes through the center of the face and connects two points on the sides of the site.
Measure total depth. The total depth of a round diamond is the vertical distance between its highest edge (platform) and the pointed lower part of the stone (which may be faceted, in this case the face will be called “culet”).
Crown height measurement. The height of the diamond crown is part of its total depth. This is the vertical distance between the main face (platform) and the belt. The crown is actually the upper part of the stone above the belt.
Measurement of the depth of the pavilion. The depth of the pavilion is also part of the total depth of the diamond. It is determined by the vertical distance from the belt to the lower end. Pavilion – part of the stone below the belt.
How are round diamonds measured? How can I use measurement results?
Now that you know the definitions of the most important diamond sizes, what can you do with them?
On the one hand, you could estimate how much a stone weighs.
They can also be used to calculate some key proportions and compare them with reference ones that are considered ideal for round diamonds.
Estimation of the weight of a round diamond in carats by measurements
You can calculate the approximate carat weight of a round diamond by including some values in the following formula.
