Most of the time, people associate carat with size of a diamond, but carat is actually a unit of weight and not a measurement of dimensions. The term carat is derived from the Greek work kerátion which means “fruit of the carob.” In the 1500’s, the middle east starting using carob seeds as a standard of weight for both gemstones and gold. Today, one carat is fixed as a standard weight of 0.20 gram.
These are some common abbreviations for carat:
· CT - You have probably already figured out that ‘ct’ or ‘cts’ is the shortened version of the word carat, as in 0.50ct. It is only used to describe the weight of a single diamond or gemstone.
· TWT - ‘Twt’ is the shortened version of the term carats total weight. For example, if I am referring to a single diamond, I would write 1.25ct, but if I am referring to multiple diamonds, I would write 1.25twt. This means that when I add up the weight of all the diamonds in the jewelry piece, their cumulative weight is 1.25 carats total weight!
So, is bigger always better? I am sure some would argue yes, but as a Graduate Gemologist, I would say not always. Your diamond has to beautiful, first and foremost, and weight of a diamond does not guarantee that. As you may have read in my last three blogs, the proportion of the cut, the color-less, and clearness of a diamond play a big role. You can begin reading my last three blogs for more information at www.AngelaCisneros.com/post/does-it-sparkle
I would love to help you create the wedding ring or anniversary ring of your dreams! Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge brings back the joy and confidence of jewelry shopping, so that you can celebrate with ease! My by-appointment approach means:
One-on-one appointments (personal attention and no crowds!)
Discretion and privacy (surprises remain surprises!)
Expert help from a Graduate Gemologist with 24 years of experience (yep, that’s me!)
Book your FREE appointment with me today! www.angelacisneros.com/book-appointment