Diamond Carat Size Guide

Carat weight is the measurement used to describe the size of a diamond or gemstone based on its weight.

Diamond Carat Sizes - Grading Scale

Each diamond or gem is individually weighed to determine that stone's carat weight. On the metric scale, 1 carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams.

While carat weight can impact the value of a diamond, it’s important to understand that two diamonds of the same weight may have drastically different values. This is because a diamond’s value takes into account all of the 4Cs, not just carat weight.

Which diamond carat size should I choose?

Most first-time engagement ring buyers focus heavily on carat weight. They want the biggest diamond they can get and most often over 1.0ct. However, if you're on a budget, our jewelry experts suggest going just under a carat. What most people don’t realize is that carat weight is purely representative of the weight of the stone; it is the measurements of the diamond that are most important. For example, the visual difference of a 0.89ct compared to a 1.0ct will be incredibly minimal, but the price (which is based in part on carat weight) will have a significant difference; sometimes over a thousand dollars!

Below is a comparison of our Drew Engagement Ring featuring (left to right) a 2.5 carat Diamond Hybrid, 2.0 carat Diamond Hybrid, 1.0 carat Diamond Hybrid, and a 0.50 carat lab-grown diamond.