Everything You Must Know About Lab Diamond Measured in Carats
When buying diamonds, one of the first factors that one talks about is the diamond carat. Whether you consider a lab-grown diamond or a mined diamond, the carat plays an important role in ascertaining its quality, value, and price.
But what exactly is diamond carat, how do you measure it, and how should you consider carat when choosing diamonds? In this blog, we take a deep dive into understanding all about diamond carats.
What is a diamond carat?
The diamond carat is the unit of measurement used to specify the weight of a diamond. Diamond carat is an important factor for mined diamonds, diamond simulants, and lab-grown diamonds. 1 carat of lab-grown diamond is equal to 200 milligrams.
Here are some diamond carat measurements:
-
1 carat lab-created diamond = 200 milligrams
-
2 carat man-made diamond = 400 milligrams
-
3 carat man-made diamond = 600 milligrams
-
4 carat lab-created diamond = 800 milligrams
Is diamond carat and size the same thing?
Many people use diamond weight and carat interchangeably, but they are not the same. There are many factors that can influence the size of diamonds. For example, diamond shapes can make diamonds of the same carat size seem bigger or smaller.
In the same manner, the cut of mined or lab diamonds can also impact the way their size appears visually. For example, diamonds that are poorly cut or have thick girdles may weigh more but appear smaller in size.
How to choose lab-grown diamonds based on carat?
-
Consider the person who will wear the diamond: This factor is important when you’re buying a lab-grown diamond engagement ring. Choose a diamond carat that is suitable for the wearer.
-
Consider your budget: A bigger carat lab diamond doesn’t always mean a larger-size diamond. There are many factors that affect the price of diamonds, such as the cut, shape, color, clarity, and other quality factors.
-
Physical size of the diamond: The price of a diamond rises with its carat weight. The larger the carat size, the greater the price variation. You may be able to purchase two smaller diamonds for less than the price of a single diamond weighing the equivalent of both smaller diamonds.
-
Consider the popularity factor: Certain carat weights, such as 1 and 1.25 carat diamonds, are more popular than others. Because the diamond market is so sensitive to supply and demand, these lab-created diamonds are not always readily available. When compared to other carat weights, their value might often skyrocket.
-
Consider the form of the diamond: Buying loose diamonds can be much cheaper than buying a man-made diamond studded in a piece of jewelry. Furthermore, when you buy the diamond by itself, you have the unique chance to design a unique jewelry piece. You can avoid retail markups that put identical stones and settings way above your budget if you do this.
-
Consider the diamond shape: Lab-grown diamonds are available in a variety of shapes. For example, a 1 carat lab-made diamond, 2 carat man-made diamond, or 3 carat lab-grown diamond, can be found in different shapes, such as round or fancy—cushion, emerald, pear, oval, marquise, radiant, heart, and asscher, among other diamond shapes. A diamond carat size chart can be used to compare diamonds of different shapes.
Take a look at the different diamond carats for a round diamond:
