Carats are often confused with size, but they actually refer to weight. One carat weighs 0.200 grams, so it is reasonable to assume that a heavier Diamond is also larger and more coveted. If only big gems were that simple to lay our hands on! Budget is often the most common constraint when choosing your Diamond carat. But there is a solution to that! If you have a limited amount set aside for your engagement ring, ask yourself a question – "would you rather have a larger gem with some flaws or a smaller gem with fewer flaws?" If it is the former, choose a lower color grade or clarity grade – nothing too noticeable but pocket-friendly at the same time.
Another way is to pick up something that’s very slightly lighter than your desired carat weight. Let’s say you’ve set your heart on a 2-carat Diamond ring. Picking up a 1.8-carat ring instead is less expensive, and the size difference is barely discernible. Factor in that the price increases exponentially with every extra carat – so a 2-carat ring is not just double the cost of a 1-carat ring. It is far more, simply because larger gems are much rarer to find, cut, and polish. The Diamond cut and shape can also impact your choice of the carat weight. Pear, marquise, diamond, and oval cuts look heavier and bigger than they are because of the elongated shape. You can be smart and opt for these as well.
