The Four C’s that are unique to each diamond determines the quality and value of a finished diamond.
Diamond weight is expressed in metric measurements called carats where one carat is equal to 200 milligrams. The word carat originates from the Greek term Keratin for fruit of carob. In the earlier times there was absence of an accurate unit for precise weight measurements of diamonds.
The small seeds of the carob fruit were considered to be fairly uniform in size and weight. Hence they provided a consistent basis for gem weight. Early gem traders used this method until 20th century when a carat was standardized as 0.2 gram.
Here weight equals money so cutters try to retain as much weight as possible when they fashion diamond rough. However two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the other members of the Four C’s, which are cut, color and clarity.
