Carat

The rough stuff for larger diamonds is more difficult to find than those for smaller diamonds. This affects the pricing structure of diamonds and for this reason larger diamonds generally cost more per carat. It is important to understand that the price per carat of diamonds rises proportionately with size. Prices per carat change at certain size thresholds.

For example, the price per carat will be less for a .90 F VS2 diamond than the price per carat for a 1.00 F VS2, which will be less than the price per carat for a 1.50 F VS2 diamond, even though the color and clarity are the same. If the diamond of your dreams is above your intended budget, you may want to think about purchasing a diamond of the same color and clarity just under the threshold of the heaviness that you have in mind.

NOTE: These images are not an exact representation of the corresponding carat sizes

Example: ideal-cut .90 diamond will measure 6.2mm � 6.3 mm in diameter. A commercially cut 1 carat diamond will also measure 6.2mm � 6.3 mm in diameter. Be accurate if you plan on buying a commercially cut stone. Physically you may be buying a diamond that weighs one carat, but visually you are getting a .90 diamond!! You may think that you are paying less per carat but in fact you are paying more, because you are paying a 1 carat price for a .90 stone.