Gemstone Weight: "Carat"

Shape · Cut · Carat Weight · Color · Clarity

The weight of a gem is referred to as “carat”. This term began centuries ago when gemstones were put on a scale with carob seeds on the apposing side. The weight of the carob seed was referred to as carat weight, each seed weighing one carat. In the early 1900’s carat weight was adjusted to the metric system. One carat is equivalent to 1/5th of a gram. Gems smaller than one carat are described in points; one point equals .01 of a carat. Twenty five points would be .25 or 1/4 carat. Fifty points is .50 or a half a carat.

Usually the higher the carat weight of the gem, the more it will be worth. If you have a ring and the combined weight of a bunch of small stones is one carat, this will not be worth as much as a single stone of one carat. Consequently, it is important to pay attention to the carat weight of each stone as well as the total weight of the entire ring.