DIAMOND CARAT WEIGHT

CARAT WEIGHT AND ITS EFFECT ON DIAMOND VALUE

Larger diamonds are more rare and more valuable than smaller diamonds of the same color, clarity and cut.

There are several diamond price sheets that appraisers throughout the nation consult to estimate the wholesale value for diamonds. The Rapaport Diamond Report is the most widely used.  To see how carat weight affects value we will examine the current wholesale values for diamonds of different weights but similar GIA color and clarity grades and and cut proportions.  The price list is shown in $100's per carat so for a 1/2 carat diamond a strictly graded D color and Internally Flawless well cut diamond is $8500 per carat.  A 0.50 ct diamond of that description would wholesale for (0.50 ct) x ($8,500/ct) = $4,250.

For example:


A 0.50 ct GIA D color IF clarity Super Ideal Round Brilliant Cut diamond now wholesales for $4,250/stone
A 0.50 ct GIA H color VS2 clarity Super Ideal Round Brilliant Cut diamond now wholesales for $1,700/stone

A 0.75 ct GIA D color IF clarity Super Ideal Round Brilliant Cut diamond now wholesales for $7,500/stone
A 0.75 ct GIA H color VS2 clarity Super Ideal Round Brilliant Cut diamond now wholesales for $3,150/stone

A 1.00 ct GIA D color IF clarity Super Ideal Round Brilliant Cut diamond now wholesales for $24,200/stone
A 1.00 ct GIA H color VS2 clarity Super Ideal Round Brilliant Cut diamond now wholesales for $7,200/stone

A 2.00 ct GIA D color IF clarity Super Ideal Round Brilliant Cut diamond now wholesales for $94,800/stone
A 2.00 ct GIA H color VS2 clarity Super Ideal Round Brilliant Cut diamond now wholesales for $25,200/stone

As you can see Carat Weight has a massive affect on the value of a diamond - all other factors being equal.