Posted under Diamond Guide

Wednesday, Apr 05 2023

Which Diamond Carat Is Best?

Written by Edmar Hendricks

Which Diamond Carat Is Best?

Choosing your jewelry requires knowledge. Knowledge of the diamond 4 C's; cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. This blog discusses the 4th C; carat weight and how it impacts your jewelry.

TABLE OF CONTENT

What Is a Diamond Carat?

Carats refer to how diamonds are weighed. The word carat originates from ancient times when gemstone traders compared the weight of diamonds to carob seeds. The cost of a diamond engagement ring can go up significantly based on the total carat weight of the stone.diamnd carat

How Much Is One Carat?

1 metric carat equals 200 milligrams. Every carat is divided into 100 points to get exact measurements to the hundredth decimal point. The diamond carat weight affects how much the gemstone will cost but is also based on the its cut, color, and clarity.

What Carat Diamond Should I Get for My Ring?

You can choose from various carat ranges when online to buy a diamond ring. However, it is always best to focus first on setting a budget and then on your diamond's cut, clarity, and color before choosing the carat weight. To make the selection process easier, here are diamond carat weights you can keep in mind when selecting your stone.

engagement ring

SHOP LAB DIAMOND engagement ring

0.10 to 0.40 Diamond Carat Weight

When working with a small ring budget, looking for a diamond under 0.50 carats is best.

Round cut stones in the 0.10 to the 0.40-carat range are less than 5mm but still have incredible sparkle. Opting for lower color and clarity grade gemstones shall help you find the largest diamond you can in this range. Why? Because when it comes to a diamond of this size range, color and clarity will not greatly impact its beauty. The smallest of this range, 0.10 diamond carat weight, would look splendid on rings of simple and understated designs. They’re perfect if you’re looking for a minimalistic ring. However, larger gemstones make a better choice when using them for engagement rings.

0.50 Diamond Carat Weight

When working with an inexpensive ring budget, you are certain to find a 0.50 carat or half carat diamond that’ll pair with your ring. A round-cut of this carat weight would spell perfection as a solitaire. You can add more sparkle when crafting the ring by using a halo setting.0.50 Diamond Carat Weight

0.90 Diamond Carat Weight

A 0.90 carat, i.e., almost a carat, is a popular choice with many couples today. It allows you to save on a carat while also giving the appearance of a one-carat diamond. Nobody could tell the difference between a 0.90-carat and a 1-carat diamond unless, of course, they measured your stone. However, the popularity of this carat weight has raised the diamond price in this range. You’d find a well-cut round diamond of 0.90 carats at an affordable price, especially when shopping for sustainable lab diamonds.

1.00 Diamond Carat Weight

1-carat diamond weight is a favored carat weight, especially for engagement rings. The pricing is on the higher side, especially when picking round cuts. You save the most if you choose a fancy-shaped 1-carat diamond. You’re certain to find an exceptional one-carat stone in a budget-friendly range. If working with a smaller budget, then you might have to compromise on clarity and color.

1.25 Diamond Carat Weight

People buying their first diamond generally overlook a 1.25 carat stone, a stone that is just above one carat. Diamonds of this weight are remarkably larger than one carat and give your ring a stunning appearance. You’re certain to find a budget friendly lab diamond of this carat weight but if you want to cut down even more you can still obtain a great looking stone of a lower color grade.

1.50 Diamond Carat Weight

A 1.50-carat diamond is large, has brilliant sparkle, and draws attention. This carat weight is perfect when looking to create a bold and extravagant look for your ring. It would cost you more, but you will get one for an astoundingly great price if you shop for a lab diamond.

2.00 Diamond Carat Weight

A 2-carat diamond is big and striking. It’s the kind of gemstone that makes a statement on your ring. A round cut of a 2-carat gemstone would have a diameter above 8mm, considering 10 mm equals 1 cm.

It might be difficult finding a well-cut stone of this carat weight, so it's best to contact a person on your online jeweler's team to discuss the cut of your stone. Friendly Diamonds offers a free virtual meet with their in-house gemologist and diamond specialist to discuss all specifics related to your lab diamond and jewelry to ease your doubts before you make your jewelry purchase.

3.00 Diamond Carat Weight

Looking for a big rock? Then a 3-carat diamond might be the one for you. It falls in a higher price range bracket and will pair well with your ring setting to create an extraordinary ring.

5.00 Diamond Carat Weight

A 5-carat or plus diamond is an absolute wowser. It’s a carat weight popular with celebrities, but who says you can’t have it too? If you have the budget for it and are looking for a diamond carat weight you can flaunt, then the 5-carat gemstone is for you. However, you must note that while your diamond will put you in the spotlight and be the talk of the town, finding one of this carat weight is not easy as such a diamond is rare.

0.50 Diamond Carat Weight

Which Carat Weight Do We Recommend?

Ultimately it’s all about your budget. Having a ring budget in mind is the perfect way to start shopping for your lab diamond ring. On setting the budget, focus on the cut, clarity, and color of the stone, as these three factors would determine your diamond's beauty and overall look.

Then pick a carat weight. Based on your budget, we recommend any carat weight range from 0.90 to 1.50. 1 carat weight diamonds are most popular, and so are 0.90-carat weight stones. But you can always go higher if looking for a larger stone and budgets that permit you to do so.

When looking for sustainable and budget-friendly diamonds, look no further than Friendly Diamonds, an online jewelry brand at the forefront of the sustainable diamond industry. The brand offers a wide assortment of lab grown diamonds created in state-of-the-art laboratories that leave a smaller carbon footprint on the planet. You can also create your dream engagement ring by picking a ring setting, and choosing a lab diamond shape of the desired cut, clarity, color, and carat weight to complete your ring.