6 min
When we talk about diamonds, the term carat is quite common, but it's not always well understood. In simple terms, a carat is a unit of weight for precious stones. It does not indicate size or dimensions. Understanding exactly what a carat means will help you make more informed decisions when buying diamond jewelry.
Origin and etymology of the word carat
The term carat has a curious origin that dates back to antiquity. It comes from ancient Greek kerátion, which means "carob seed". In ancient times, these seeds were believed to always weigh the same, making them useful for weighing precious stones and gold. Today we can calculate weight much more precisely and we know it varies considerably from one seed to another. Over time, the word carat became established in the jewelry world, always linked to the weight of gems. Currently, the carat remains the standard unit worldwide for expressing the weight of diamonds.
How a diamond is measured: what is a carat and how is it used
The carat is a precise unit of measurement used exclusively to weigh diamonds and other precious stones. One carat equals exactly 0.2 grams, so five carats add up to one full gram.
To make things easier, jewelers use a point system. It's like euros and cents: 100 points equal 1 carat, just as 100 cents make one euro.
A half-carat diamond is expressed as 0.50 ct, the same way you would write 50 cents as 0.50 €. This makes it easier to understand the weight of a diamond, a factor of great importance when choosing a piece of jewelry.
Why don't we use grams to weigh diamonds?
You might wonder why jewelers don't weigh diamonds in grams. The reason is practical: the gram is too large a unit to precisely express the tiny weight of a gem. If we used grams, a 1-gram diamond would weigh no less than 5 carats.
Besides, would you really prefer to use grams? We think 0.5 ct sounds much better than 100 milligrams.
Carat vs. karat
In English, there are two terms that sound the same but mean different things: carat and karat. In Spanish, both translate as quilate, but they refer to completely different concepts:
- Carat: indicates the weight of precious stones, especially diamonds.
- Karat: measures the purity of gold. 24-karat gold is pure gold.
A trick to remember it if you read about jewelry in English: carat is for diamonds and karat is for gold.
Why diamond carats matter
Carat weight matters because it is directly related to the rarity of the diamond and, therefore, to its value. In general, the heavier a diamond, the rarer it is. And the rarer it is, the more valuable.
However, weight alone is not everything. Two diamonds with the same number of carats can look very different in appearance, brilliance, and final value depending on their cut and proportion. In other words: weight is important, yes, but it's only one of the aspects to consider.
Beyond carats: cut and depth
Carats tell you how much a diamond weighs, but not how it looks.
Cut and depth are equally important. Depth is the distance from the flat top (table) to the bottom point (culet). If a diamond is too deep, it looks smaller and loses brilliance. If it's too shallow, it doesn't shine as much.
A well-proportioned depth provides more brilliance, more visual presence… and more impact.
Fancy cuts, such as oval or emerald, distribute weight differently. That's why two diamonds with the same carats can look very different in size. In reality, what makes the difference is the cut and depth.
How do carats influence the price of a diamond?
Carat weight largely determines the price of a diamond, but it's not the only thing that matters. The value of a diamond is set according to the four Cs: carat (carats), cut (cut), color (color), and clarity (clarity). And of all of them, cut is usually the most important.
- A 1-carat diamond doesn't cost twice as much as a 0.5-carat one, but much more. Large diamonds are rarer, and that rarity drives up the price.
- But bigger doesn't always mean better. A smaller diamond with excellent cut can shine much more than a large poorly cut one.
Think of a painting. A huge canvas painted by an amateur cannot be compared to a Picasso masterpiece of smaller dimensions. The same goes for diamonds: quality is always more important than size.
Practical tips for choosing the right diamond
When choosing a diamond, focus on what really matters:
- Carat weight: choose a weight that fits your budget and style.
- Cut quality: a well-cut diamond shines more and looks better. Prioritize it over size.
- Depth proportion: balanced depth improves both brilliance and size perception.
- See it in person: this way you'll appreciate how it really looks.
Before buying a diamond, keep this in mind
The value of a diamond is not defined solely by its carat weight. Here's a summary of what really matters:
- Carat indicates weight, not size.
- Cut and depth directly influence brilliance and how large the stone appears.
- Better quality than quantity: a small, well-cut diamond can dazzle more than a large, poorly cut one.
- Meaning also counts: a diamond with history has much more value than one that is just large.
At Brilianto, we create our diamonds from carbon obtained from iconic places such as Spotify Camp Nou at FC Barcelona or Estádio da Luz at SL Benfica. They are not just gems. They are history you can wear.
In summary: the cut, depth, and history of a diamond matter as much as its carat weight. Those who buy with discernment know that value is not just in the carats.
High jewelry collections in the world of sports
To pay tribute to football legends, Brilianto has created three unique diamond collections:
- 125th Anniversary Diamond Collection
- Etern Spotify Camp Nou Collection
- Diamantes da Luz Collection
Two of them celebrate the legacy of FC Barcelona, with diamonds created from the grass of the legendary Spotify Camp Nou. The third pays homage to SL Benfica, with diamonds made from the grass of Estádio da Luz.