Diamond Estate
Carat-Weight
The earliest gem traders measured their stones by comparing their weight to the weight of the pods from the carob, or locust tree. These tiny carob seeds are remarkably consistent in weight, and this is where the term carat is derived from.
The metric carat, which equals 0.20 gram or 1/142 of an ounce, is the standard unit of weight for diamonds and most other gems. One carat is divided into 100 "points." A diamond weighing 50 points = 0.5 carat (ct.), and is expressed as one-half carat. The carat-weight of a diamond is the most obvious characteristic of a diamond, and larger stones are often prized due to their rarity. It must be remembered, however, that the weight has no bearing on quality, and two diamonds of comparable weight may differ drastically in price due to dissimilarities in cut, color, and clarity. Diamonds of the same diameter may vary in actual carat weight depending on variations in their proportions. All other aspects being equal, the larger the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond is.
One Grain or "a one grainer"
25 points or 1/4ct.; A diamond of approximately 1ct. would be called a 4 grainer, one ~ 1.5ct. would be a 6 grainer, and a 0.5ct. stone a 2 grainer.
Melee
Diamonds weighing less than 1/5ct. (less than 20 points). Stones this size are set using various techniques as groupings in jewelry.
