MOISSANITE SIZE CHART
Carat Definition: What Is a Carat?
Same as Diamond. While many confuse carat as a measurement of physical size, it is actually a measurement of weight used to describe diamonds and other gemstones. One carat equals 0.2 grams, about the same weight as a paperclip.
To understand what diamond carat measures, it’s helpful to know the origins of the carat system. It began with carob seeds that early gem traders used as small, uniform counterweights to their balance scales. At that time, gemstone measurement varied internationally; there was no standard. It wasn’t until 1913 that the world adopted the modern metric carat. Now, a carat weighs the same in every corner of the globe.
As one of the four factors that describe and determine a diamond’s quality and value, carat should not be confused with ‘karat,’ a unit used to measure the purity of gold.
How Big is a Carat?
A carat is synonymous with weight, not with the size of a diamond or other gemstone. For example, because of varying densities, a one-carat round diamond may measure 6.4mm, while a one-carat round sapphire might measure 6.0mm. Shape, cut, and depth also play a role in determining how big a carat appears.
This diagram illustrates the typical size relationship of round diamonds in increasing carat weights. Remember, every gemstone is unique, and the appearance of carat weight varies.
How About Moissanite Carat?
0.4ct-4.5mm | |
0.5ct-5mm | |
0.6ct-5.5mm | |
0.8ct-6mm | |
1.0ct-6.5mm | |
1.2ct-7mm | |
1.5ct-7.5mm | |
2.0ct-8mm | |
3.0ct-9mm | |
4.0ct-10mm |