Diamond Carat Size on Hand (Video Comparisons)

Diamond shopping might seem intimidating at first. However, familiarity with the Four Cs of Diamonds makes comparing the quality of different stones easier. These standardized characteristics include cut, color, clarity, and carat. This guide is dedicated to understanding carats.

A Guide to Carat Weight

Contrary to popular belief, diamond carat and size are not directly linked. Carat (ct) is a unit of measurement used to determine how much a gemstone or pearl weighs. As a point of reference, one carat equals 200 milligrams. A carat is divided into 100 points, with one point equaling 1/100th of a carat. A diamond that weighs less than one carat is referred to by its number of points, 75 points, or .75ct. Carat is only one contributing factor to how large the stone will look on the hand. A diamond’s proportions and shape also dictate its physical dimensions. The features that matter most when determining the right carat weight can vary based on individual preferences. The size of the wearer’s hand matters, too. For example, a 4 carat stone might not sound bigger, but is noticeably larger in size than a 2 carat sparkler and might look disproportionate on a small hand. When making a diamond size comparison, carat is actually one of the biggest influences on the price. The cut should be your next priority. A stone with an Excellent or Ideal grade cut will look the liveliest on the hand.

What Else Influences How a Diamond Looks on the Hand?

Structural Elements & Depth

A diamond is divided into sections, each with measurements that contribute to the stone’s fire, brilliance, and appearance on the hand. A stone’s brilliance shines through its facets, or the flat surfaces that make up its geometry. The top facets make up the crown while the bottom are referred to as the pavilion. The girdle acts as the equator of the gemstone and separates the crown from the pavilion. One common misconception is that the total depth of a diamond is the same as its carat weight. However, the total depth of a gemstone is the distance from your table (flat part at the top of the diamond) to its culet (the pointy part at the bottom). Another thing to keep in mind is pavilion depth—the distance from girdle to culet. Shallow pavilion depth does not allow for as much brilliance as a stone with a deeper pavilion.

Shape

Two diamonds with the same carat weight will also have physical size differences based on differing diamond shapes. Certain shapes can look larger than others, even if they have the same carat weight, which will influence how proportionate they appear on the hand.

Understanding Diamond Shapes

Round Brilliant diamonds

are lauded for their brilliance, which is attributed to 58 facets. Rounds have, over time, become synonymous with diamonds in general and thus will always be one of the most popular shapes.

Square Cushion diamonds

are square with rounded corners. The most famous square cushion diamond in the world is The Hope Diamond.

Elongated Cushion diamonds

are more rectangular with rounded edges. When searching for more elongated cushions, we recommend cushions with ratios between 1.07:1 to 1:1.2.

Oval diamonds

are elongated round cuts but with a larger surface area. For the past few years, ovals have maintained their number one spot as the most popular diamond shape.

Pear diamonds

resemble a teardrop, with one round and one pointed end. Fun fact: no two pear shapes in the world are cut the exact same!

Emerald cut diamonds

have an elongated, rectangular shape with a large table and step cuts, giving it a hall of mirrors effect.

Radiant diamonds

were created to combine the brilliance of a round with the elongated, rectangular shape of an emerald cut. With 70 facets, they are one of the most brilliant and popular shapes on the market.

Princess diamonds

are square with sharp corners. What makes each princess unique are the variations in terms of the chevrons, or central faceting, within each diamond.

Marquise diamonds

resemble a more elongated oval with pointed ends. The length and slenderness can make the stone appear larger.

Heart Shape diamonds

are a romantic choice. This fancy diamond is really a pear shape with a cleft at the top.

Asscher cut diamonds

are square versions of emerald cuts. However, the additional step cut facets create more sparkle and fire than its emerald cut counterpart.