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You want to be sure
your jeweler is clear about the terms that are used in reference to the
weight of a diamond. One carat is equal to 1/5 of a gram. For diamonds less
than one carat, weights can be expressed in terms of halves and quarters (as
long as they are at least half or a quarter). For more precision, the carat
can be divided into 100 points. Thus, a 10 point diamond is 1/10 of a carat.
Since small variations in weight can make big differences in price, you want
to be sure that your diamond has been weighed in a precise and repeatable
manner. AGS member jewelers weigh unmounted diamonds on an electronic scale
capable of weighing as accurately as .002 (two one-thousandths) of a carat.
No jeweler should be reluctant to show you how the weight of the stone you
are looking at was arrived at.
The most important thing to know about weight is that weight isn't
everything. You may come into your local jewelry store with a half carat or
one carat stone in mind. That's fine. But you may be faced with a choice
between a one carat stone of lesser value than a 90 point stone with higher
grades for cut, color, and clarity. Sometimes less is more, even in the
world of diamonds. Be flexible - you may get a more pleasing stone.
Of course, a well-cut, high grade, one carat diamond will certainly be more
valuable than a similarly cut high grade 90 point stone. And, because of its
rarity, a two carat well-cut highly graded diamond will be worth much more
than twice what a one carat stone would cost.
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