What is Carat Weight?

Carat is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs, and not necessarily how large it is, although the two are related. A metric "carat" is defined as 200 milligrams. Each carat can be subdivided into 100 'points.' This allows very precise measurements to the hundredth decimal place.

What is Total Carat Weight?

Total Carat Weight, denoted as “TCW” is the combined weight of all the diamonds in a piece of jewelry that has multiple stones. For example, a diamond engagement ring with 1.00 carat center stone, and two 0.50 ct accent diamonds, has a Total Carat Weight (TCW) of 2.00.

What is Diamond Equivalent Weight?

Diamond Equivalent Weight, denoted as “DEW',' is used to indicate a gemstone's weight compared to a diamond of similar size, given gemstones, like moissanite, have a different density than diamonds. For example, a 1.00 carat round diamond (6.5 mm), and a moissanite of the exact same size only weighs approximately 0.88 carats. Using Diamond Equivalent Weight, this particular stone would be listed as 1.00 CT DEW.

Carat Weight, Total Carat Weight (TCW) and Diamond Equivalent Weight (DEW) can be expressed in decimals or fractions. When expressed as a fraction, the approximate decimal equivalent is as follows:

FRACTION	MIN. CARAT WEIGHT	MAX. CARAT WEIGHT
1/15	0.03	0.08
1/10	0.085	0.11
1/8	0.12	0.14
1/6	0.145	0.17
1/5	0.18	0.22
1/4	0.23	0.28
1/3	0.29	0.36
3/8	0.37	0.38
2/5	0.39	0.44
1/2	0.45	0.57
5/8	0.58	0.63
2/3	0.64	0.68
3/4	0.69	0.79
7/8	0.80	0.94
1	0.95	1.03

For styles over 1.00 TCW, add the whole number plus the fraction denoted above. For example, a bracelet with a TCW of 2 ½ would have a decimal range between 2.45 - 2.22.

What is Minimum Carat Weight and Maximum Carat Weight?

Some styles may vary slightly in total carat weight as each piece is made to order, with one-of-a-kind diamonds and/or gemstones. Our carat weight ranges, denoted by fractions, ensure consistency across all our pieces, allowing for the least variance in ranges from the minimum to the maximum acceptable carat weights.

What is Diamond or Gemstone Color?

Color is actually based on the absence of color. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue, and consequently a higher value. GIA's diamond D-to-Z color-grading scale is the industry's most widely accepted grading system. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues with the increasing presence of color, to the letter Z.

Moissanite grading uses a color grading scale that is based upon the GIA diamond color grading scale. There are three grades of moissanite available: colorless (D-E-F range), near-colorless (G-H-I range) and with faint hues of color (J-K range).

What is Average Accent Color?

Smaller diamonds used in halos, wedding bands, and other detailed jewelry designs, are often called “accent diamonds”. Accent diamonds have a color grade, just like all diamonds.

The color grade for accent diamonds is usually in the “near-colorless” grades of G, H, I and J. Average accent color is determined based on the color grade for all accent stones in a specific piece of jewelry.

What is Diamond or Gemstone Clarity?

Diamond clarity refers to the absence of inclusions and blemishes. Natural diamonds and lab grown diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure. This process can result in a variety of internal characteristics called 'inclusions' and external characteristics called 'blemishes.'

The GIA Diamond Clarity Scale has 6 categories, some of which are divided, for a total of 11 specific grades - Flawless (FL), Internally Flawless (IF), Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2), Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2), Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2). and Included (I1, I2 and I3.).

What is Average Accent Clarity?

Accent diamonds typically have relatively low clarity, SI (Slightly Included) or I (Included), however, because they are so small, inclusions are rarely visible to the naked eye. Average accent clarity is determined based on the clarity grade for all accent stones in a specific piece of jewelry.