Carat:  Of the 4 C’s, carat weight is the simplest to factor to determine because it is the actual weight of the diamond.  The cut, however, can make a diamond appear larger or smaller than its actual weight.  One carat equals one-fifth of a gram or 1/142 of an ounce.  One carat can also be divided into 100 “points”.  A .75 carat is equal to 75 points or a ¾ carat diamond.

The higher carat diamonds often tend to be brighter than the lower carat diamonds due to the prism effect of light traveling a longer distance, however, carat should only be one consideration in picking out the best diamond for you.  For example, if a diamond has a higher carat but poor color and clarity it may not be as beautiful as a smaller carat with exceptional color and clarity.