When purchasing gold, you know the grade of it by the numbers associated with it – 22 carat gold or 24 carat gold describes the ratio of copper added to the metal alloy. But in a diamond a carat refers to the weight of the diamond itself.

A one carat diamond equals 0.2 grams. Because the weight is so light in a carat but the price is quite high, each carat is further divided into points. After all, most individuals will buy less than a carat when purchasing a diamond. A one carat diamond has 100 points.

The carat or size of the diamond plays a part in the ultimate price but it is not the only factor in determining value. There are 4 C’s that are considered when evaluating a diamond – Carat, Cut, Color and Clarity. It is important that you view various diamonds in the same weight category (carat) to ensure that your money is being spent on the best diamond for you.