Carat Weight

The “carat” weight system is believed to have had its roots in the Mediterranean where seeds from the Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) were used as measurement of weight. These seeds were so uniform in weight, that 100 were used to equal 1-carat. In modern times the weight of one carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat is divided into 100 points, so that a diamond of 25 points is described as a quarter of a carat or .25-carat. Diamonds are light in weight, it would take 142-carats of diamonds just to equal one ounce. On average, it takes over 250 tons of earth to find one stone large enough to be cut into a polished one-carat diamond. In cutting and polishing a diamond, 50% of the original weight is cut away. The more a diamond weighs, the more rare and valuable it is. But remember, rare and valuable do not necessarily mean beautiful or desirable.

Find a custom jeweler in Springfield, or internet jeweler.