One of the first things that diamond miners do when they obtain a diamond is to determine its weight. This is because the weight of the diamond is probably the most important aspect that is taken into consideration when an appraiser determines how much a diamond should sell for. The more it weighs, the higher price the jeweler will be able to sell the diamond for – which is, of course, the goal in the diamond mining industry. Even though a smaller diamond costs less, it is important to note that opting for a diamond that is very small will not be impressive to whomever you are buying the diamond for as it will not be something to show off in front of friends and acquaintances. Let’s explore the connection between the weight of a diamond and the diameter of a diamond.

Weight And Diameter of Diamonds

Before we look at the connection that a diamond’s diameter and weight has, it is important to note that diamonds are weighed in a metric known as “carats”. Lumera Diamonds explain that a diamond is given a weight grade of one carat for every 200 milligrams that it weighs. It is also important not to confuse the “carat” weight metric system that is used to value a diamond with the “karat” purity system used to grade gold.

The diameter of a diamond is sometimes considered to be more important than the weight of the diamond to many people. The diameter does not affect the diamond’s price in any way, but rather its visual appearance on a piece of jewelry. The bigger the diamond, the more there is to show off and be proud of. We are going to take a look at different carat sizes and their typical diameters, as reported by Gem Facts.

• A diamond that weighs between 0.18 and 0.22 carats typically measures in diameter between 3.65 and 3.90 millimeters.
• A diamond that weighs between 0.30 and 0.37 carats typically measures in diameter between 4.30 and 4.65 millimeters.
• A diamond that weighs between 0.50 and 0.68 carats typically measures in diameter between 5.15 and 5.65 millimeters.
• A diamond that weighs between 0.80 and 0.89 carats typically measures in diameter between 0.80 and 0.89 millimeters.
• A one-carat diamond’s diameter usually varies between 6.40 and 6.50 millimeters.
• A 1.50 carats diamond’s diameter usually varies between 7.20 and 7.35 millimeters.
• A two-carat diamond’s diameter usually varies between 8.05 and 8.10 millimeters.
• A three-carat diamond’s diameter usually varies between 9.25 and 9.40 millimeters.
• If you want a diamond with a diameter of at least one centimeter or 10 millimeters, you’ll have to opt for a four-carat diamond. A four-carat diamond usually has a diameter of between 10.1 and 10.2 millimeters.
• A five-carat diamond, which is considerably more expensive than the rest, measures in diameter between 10.9 and 11.1 millimeters.

If you prefer a small diamond, then you’ll be able to opt for a diamond with a higher clarity rating and a better color grade, and still be able to afford it on a smaller budget. If you are on a small budget and prefer a bigger diamond, however, then you’ll have to settle for a lower clarity rating and a lower color grading option.

Connection

Weighting a diamond is one of the most important aspects related to the determination of a diamond’s market value. During the weighing process, the diamond is not weighed like other products are usually weighed, but rather by utilizing a special metric system that has been developed particularly for gemstones. This process provides the appraiser with a carat weight value instead of grams or kilograms, which then helps the appraiser better determine how much the diamond should be sold for. 

You can learn more about the other C’s of diamonds on this page.