A 1 carat diamond remains the iconic favourite of brides and brides-to-be all around the world. While it is incredibly popular, it is universally regarded as a symbol of the highest level of elegance and sophistication.
Choosing a piece of jewelry, particularly something as precious and personal as an engagement or wedding ring, is a profoundly emotional experience. This, combined with the hopeful permanence of the purchase, makes choosing your real 1 carat diamond ring a greatly important and sacred process.
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What is a 1 Carat Diamond?
The majority of people are familiar with the term “one carat diamond”. However, few people know what this actually entails. Carat is a broad term that refers to the total weight of the diamond. There are two distinct grading laboratories that evaluate diamonds. These are the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGS) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
When it comes to grading an individual diamond, the grading laboratories primarily focus on diamond color, diamond clarity, diamond cut, and diamond carat. When it comes to determining diamond carat, the only real difference in the processes of GIA and AGS is that the former measures to two decimal points whereas the latter measures to three. Therefore, the carat weight determined by the American Gem Society is slightly more accurate.
How Big is a 1 Carat Diamond?
A common misconception is that the term “carat” refers to the size of the diamond. A 1 ct diamond is equal to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. This is roughly equivalent to the weight of a quarter of a raisin. There is no standard size that can be allocated to a one carat diamond as every cut will have a different shape which will ultimately influence its measurements.
Certain diamond cuts may appear to be larger than others albeit they are both graded as a one carat diamond. For example, the princess cut has a table surface area of 5.51×5.51mm while the oval cut is 8.12×5.41mm. Both are 1 ct diamonds.
How Much is a 1 Carat Diamond?
While one can research the general distinctions in price between diamonds of different cuts, colors, clarity, and carat, it is important to note that the price of a one carat diamond will fluctuate from day to day, month to month, and year to year. These changes are driven by demand, global market trends, and manufacturing prices.
The price range of a 1 carat diamond is substantial. It can cost anything between $1 800 and $12 000. The cut grade of the diamond is the factor that most significantly influences its price. A trend has emerged whereby people will search for diamonds that are just under 1 carat in an attempt to sav money. The great irony is that this strategy has resulted in an increase in the prices of 0.90-0.99 carat diamonds which means that the price difference has become negligible.
How to Choose a 1 Carat Diamond
Choosing a diamond is no small task. When selecting the perfect 1 carat diamond ring for yourself or your loved one, the rule of thumb is to stick to the “four Cs”. This refers to cut grade, color grade, clarity grade and carat weight. Every single diamond is magnificently unique, beautiful, and brilliant. Cut grade is the most influential factor when it comes to the price of a diamond as it affects the aesthetics of it in the most dramatic way.
The clarity grade refers to a diamond’s natural inclusions or its lack thereof. The color grade has to do with the color of light that the diamond reflects. This can vary from a soft yellow to clear white. The most expensive diamonds on the market are those that are pure white in color. While the clarity grade and color grade can significantly affect the price of a 1 carat diamond, it does not influence its brilliance quite as much as the cut grade. People will often choose to compromise on the color grade in order to get a higher cut grade and a greater carat weight for a reduced rate.
Where to Buy a 1 Carat Diamond Ring
There is a wide selection of diamond retailers that you can choose from today – each with its own set of pros and cons. The merit of online versus brick-and-mortar stores is a highly contested issue amongst diamond admirers across the globe. First and foremost, you want to ensure that the jeweller selling you your one carat diamond is reputable and able to present you with their necessary certificates and official papers.
Online jewellers are particularly useful for viewing a wide selection of diamonds of varying cut grades, color grades, and clarity grades. These are most likely not pre-set which allows you to exercise greater creative freedom when designing the ring of your dreams.
Furthermore, an online jeweller is generally more affordable as the business has far fewer overhead costs which allows for highly competitive pricing. A brick-and-mortar institution is better suited to the enthusiastic shopper who absolutely needs to see the 1 carat diamond ring in real life before purchasing it. It should be noted that the majority of diamonds stocked at a physical store will be pre-set.
Is a 1 Carat Diamond Good?
If, for whatever reason, you find yourself doubting the aesthetic and sentimental value of a 1 carat diamond, let us reassure you that it is worth every penny. Every time you catch a glimpse of your exquisite engagement ring – the symbol of eternal love – or your new favourite pair of diamond earrings, you are able to connect with the essence of an ancient yet timeless elegance.
When purchasing an engagement or wedding ring, a one carat diamond is the ideal weight and it is certainly ‘good enough’. The reason this particular weight is so popular is that it is large enough to display the visual magnificence of the jewel whilst also being small enough to be manageable and practical as an everyday piece of jewelry.
Chermaine’s journey into the world of gemstones and crystals began as a child, collecting shimmering stones on family vacations. Today, she’s a certified gemologist and spiritual healer, intertwining the physical beauty of jewels with their metaphysical properties.
Chermaine has traveled to mines in Africa, marketplaces in India, and spiritual retreats in Bali, always seeking to deepen her understanding.