You’ve got a big event coming up, and you want to surprise your loved one with a beautiful jewelry piece. Or maybe, you want to treat yourself. You could probably anticipate our answer.
Everybody loves a beautiful diamond – but this time, let’s take a step further.
We’re talking about breath-taking pure diamonds. How is a pure diamond different from the others you’ve seen so far, and with that in mind, how many carats is a pure diamond?
Before you think of a possible answer, we’ll have to stop you right there. You’ve probably mixed carats with clarity. A diamond can have 0.5 carats and still be pure.
There’s a chance that most of you didn’t connect these two dots right away. If you’re still confused, then we suggest you stay with us.
We’ll tackle the questions regarding purity and how to recognize a pure diamond when you see one. We’ll even throw in some interesting facts you didn’t know before.
We’re all set, so read on!
Karats Or Carats? Know The Difference
This mix-up happens because you see the words “carat” and “karat” almost concurrently in jewelry stores. One would say that it is just a typo and that they both mean the same.
On the contrary, carats and karats are two completely different measurements, and it’s time to clarify what each of them stands for finally.
The carats we’ve been talking about so far are related to diamond weight – but you already knew that. What you didn’t know is that carats also denote gold purity.
Karats, on the other hand, denote ONLY gold purity. They have nothing to do with diamonds.
You’ve probably heard about the famous 24K gold chain.
“The Gold Standard,” which is jewelry that contains 24 karats, is the most prestigious piece you can find on the market. It’s 100% pure gold – and it’s pretty expensive.
It’s not an easy job to make a 24K piece, but experienced goldsmiths can make it happen. That’s why you’ll only see this kind of gold borrowed for movie purposes and the like.
We hope that this brief recap cleared up the issue on gold and karats.
Learn More: Do Diamonds Weigh More Than Gold?
How Many Carats Is There In A Diamond?
As we mentioned, carats are the weight of a diamond. The more carats, the heavier the ring on your hand – obviously. In precise measurements, one carat is equal to 200 milligrams.
The number of carats determines the size of the diamond you’re looking for, and of course, it affects the price. You probably know the most common diamond cuts, but your knowledge of size and carats might not be so sharp.
Not to worry, we’re always one step ahead. Here’s a table showing different diamond cuts, their sizes, and how many carats they have. Take a look!
Related Read: Carat Weight: What Does Carat Measure In Diamonds?
| Shapes/Carats | 0.5 | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | 5.1 mm | 6.4 mm | 7.4 mm | 8.1 mm | 9.3 mm |
| Princess | 4.4 mm | 5.5 mm | 6.4 mm | 7 mm | 8 mm |
| Oval | 6 x 4 mm | 8 x 5.5 mm | 9 x 6 mm | 10.5 x 7 mm | 11.5 x 7.5 mm |
| Cushion | 5 x 4.5 mm | 6.5 x 5.5 mm | 7.5 x 6.5 mm | 8 x 7 mm | 9 x 8 mm |
| Heart | 5.4 mm | 6.7 mm | 7.6 mm | 8.3 mm | 9.5 mm |
| Marquise | 8,5 x 4 mm | 10 x 5.3 mm | 12 x 6 mm | 13 x 16.5 mm | 14 x 7 mm |
| Pear | 7 x 4.5 mm | 8.5 x 5.5 mm | 10 x 6.5 mm | 10.5 x 7 mm | 12.5 x 8 mm |
| Radiant | 5 x 4.5 mm | 6 x 5.5 mm | 7 x 6 mm | 7.5 x 7 mm | 8.5 x 7.5 mm |
How Much Will You Have To Pay?
It’s all fun and games until you see the price tag. Most of you surely weren’t planning on spending your savings or most of your salary on a diamond piece, no matter how persistent the jeweler is.
That’s where we come in; you just had a chance to see how many carats a gem you wanted to buy can have.
Now, it’s time to talk money.
Here are the prices per carat (we’ve mentioned it above) and the recommended price for a diamond.
| Carat Weight | Price Per Carat | Recommended diamond |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 carats | $1,100 – $7,690 | $1,000 |
| 1 carat | $1,910 – $15,650 | $4,280 |
| 1.5 carats | $2,985 – $22,330 | $9.360 |
| 2 carats | $4,025 – $42,180 | $15,280 |
| 3 carats | $6,190 – $50,070 | $40,830 |
If you already have an elaborate idea of which diamond you would like to buy for yourself or your loved one, we advise you to start saving up money.
Keep in mind that diamond prices fluctuate depending on the market they’re sold on and that you can easily come across a discount depending on what quality you’re aiming to get.
Before you head downtown searching for a diamond ring, check out the site of the jewelry store you’re planning to visit. Our advice would be to read a couple of reviews and check out their price list while you’re at it.
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Highest Purity Diamond: Internally Flawless (IF)
The purest gem is not the biggest one in the shop. It’s the one that scores the highest mark on the clarity scale. The purity and rarity of your diamond depend on how fine the cut is.
Basically, you can find a 0.5 pure diamond if you know where to look. But merely mentioning this does not give you a clear idea of diamond purity.
For a better understanding, take a look at this Diamond Clarity Chart:
| FL | Flawless |
| IF | Internally flawless |
| VVS1 / VVS2 | Very very slightly included |
| VS1 / VS2 | Very slightly included |
| SI1 / SI2 | Slightly included |
| I1 / I2 / I3 | Included |
The hint was obvious. The purest diamond is the one that is rated as Internally Flawless (IF).
Now, it’s time to explain why that is.
First off, it’s important to mention that this diamond doesn’t have any visible inclusions under 10x magnification. However, Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds might have minor visible blemishes.
Why Not Flawless?
There’s no doubt that flawlessness directly translates into perfection for most of us – but with diamonds, there’s a catch.
Here, being flawless doesn’t necessarily mean that the diamond is 100% pure.
Flawless diamonds might have no inclusions or blemishes, but they’re not so common in the jewelry industry. Internally Flawless diamonds, on the other hand, are extremely rare.
There are only about 0.5% IF diamonds in the world.
They might have minor blemishes, but once they’re cut and polished, they carry the title of the purest gem there is.
Regent Diamond – The Purest Diamond In The World?
Also known as La Regent, this diamond is, without a doubt, the most beautiful and purest gem in the world. Here’s some start-up information about this outstanding piece of jewelry:
| Name: | The Regent Diamond |
| Estimated price: | $65,975,952 |
| Size: | 28.128 grams |
| Carat weight: | 140.64 carats |
| Color: | White, pale blue |
The Regent Diamond’s history goes a long way back. A slave first discovered this incredible gemstone in India in 1698.
This diamond was offered to many European royals and finally ended up in the hands of the French ruler, Phillipe II. That’s how it got his name, Le Regent.
According to many stories and legends, this diamond carries a curse on whoever wears it.
Inclusions And Blemishes: Everything You Need To Know
Inclusions and blemishes are the internal and external features of a diamond that influence and weaken its appearance. Their visibility depends on the location, and we find that it’s beneficial for a potential buyer to know how these features can affect the purchase.
Inclusions – Internal Features
Inclusions are actually materials or fragments that are trapped inside a diamond. While some are noticeable to the naked eye, others are only visible through a magnifying glass.
The most common forms of inclusions in diamonds are crystals.
They’re located inside the diamond and can be of any size and color. Crystals that are fully on the inside of your diamond are called “included crystals,” but most people just call them bubbles; because they remind them of tiny water bubbles.
The smallest crystals are called pinpoints. They are usually seen through a 10x magnifying glass, and they’re white in color.
The scratches that you may have noticed on your diamond are actually called needles. They are, in fact, long tiny crystals that look like a miniature rod under 10x magnification.
When crystals develop irregularly, internal graining is created. It’s a phenomenon in which included crystals form into curves, angles, or lines that can make the diamond look hazy.
These lines may resemble the pouring of rain – or even stains made from vinegar oil.
A break in the structure of a diamond is called a feather. It’s because the breaks have a feather-like appearance and are most often found in a diamond’s cleavage plane. If the breakage is considerable, this can significantly reduce the value of the diamond.
Feathers tend to have a sparkly, glossy, or while reflection.
Have you heard about diamond bruises? These aren’t the bruises that you’re used to, though. These inclusions are caused by a hard blow, and they are accompanied by a feather.
The last thing we want to mention while we’re on the topic of inclusions are fractures caused by laser beams. They are usually filled with mounted glass.
These fracture-filled diamonds are not graded by the GIA, though, because the treatment is not permanent.
Check Out Also: Is IGI As Good As GIA?
Blemishes – External Features
Let’s move on to external features found on a diamond, that is, blemishes. You’re probably familiar with most of them – but it won’t hurt to jog your memory with a couple of basic terms.
First on the list, and the one you’ve heard about the most, are diamond abrasions. They are classified as flaws and represent several nicks along the diamond’s facets.
That is mostly the result of bad storing of jewelry, and it happens when diamonds rub against each other, for example. That’s exactly why we recommend separating your jewelry.
Pits, otherwise known as dots, are small white cavities visible on the surface of a diamond; they occur for the most part during polishing.
Nicks are also minor abrasions that are caused by a hard blow or harsh weather. And that, in particular, can diminish the value of the diamond and cause further fractures.
And since we’re talking about polishing, have you heard about naturals?
These are surfaces on a diamond that are not polished, so they’re basically “raw skin.”
Lastly, we have striking scratch marks.
That’s often the case with someone who trades diamonds illegally and keeps them wrapped in poor-quality clothes. Because they’re inadequately stored, they collide with each other and are very often of poorer quality.
Related Read: Why Are Diamonds Wrapped In Paper?
Final Thoughts
We’ve managed to cover a great deal of information so far, but let’s go over the most critical parts one more time. For a while there, you focused on the number of carats in a gem – but the actual emphasis is on the clarity.
What we were trying to say all this time is that your diamond can have 0.5 carats and still be pure. It depends on the level of clarity; the purest diamonds are rated as Internally Flawless (IF).
If you’re looking to buy a diamond of such quality, you should prepare your wallet for some not-so-cheap prices on the market. Luxurious pieces can cost up to $40,000!
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