Diamond Carat Weight: Large is Rare

Diamonds By The Carat: Large Is Rare

Lot 400, Spring 2017

Van Cleef & Arpels ring, marquise 6.47 carat D colour, VS-1 clarity, Lot 400, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction, sold for $240,000


We weigh diamonds in carats. A carat is a metric measurement of 200 milligrams. That means 5 carats equals a gram. Most people will never own a gram of diamonds. While a large diamond is rare, a really large one is extremely rare. Also, most diamonds mined in the world will not be of a quality to become gems, and may be used for industrial purposes. Thus, there aren’t many gem quality diamonds

One Carat

One carat is a good sized diamond, makes an impressive statement, and is larger than most people will ever own.

1.00ct Lot 113, Spring 2017

1.00 carat, Lot 113, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction, sold for $4,400.

Two Carats

Two carats, that much rarer than one carat, has a value that is about twice the value, per carat, of an equivalent one carat gem, all other things being equal. Meaning that a two carat diamond is at least twice as rare as one carat, and a two carat diamond will be four times the price of an equivalent one carat (twice the price per carat, plus twice the carats).

Lot 330 Spring 2017

2.14 carat, lot 330, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction, sold for $16,000

As each new carat weight is reached, there can be an increase in price per carat.

Three Carats

Lot 328 Spring 2017

3.00 carat, Lot 328, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction

Looking at the diamonds as they increase in size, the diamond becomes rarer and rarer.

Four Carats

Lot 353, Spring 2017

4.15 carat, Lot 353, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction, sold for $12,000

Most people will never even see a 5 carat diamond, let alone OWN one!

Five Carats

Lot 352, Spring 2017

5.01 carat cushion shaped, Lot 352, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction

There is no question of the obviously impressive visual impact of larger diamonds

Six Carats

Lot 397, Spring 2017

6.35 carat, Lot 397, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction, sold for $90,000

A seven carat gem is a similar price per carat to five and six carat weights.

Seven Carats

Lot 334, Spring 2017

7.64 carat, Lot 334, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction, sold for $55,000

Once we get to ten carats, it it enough to make people stop in their tracks. The price per carat really jumps, because ten carats is so rare.

In the Spring 2017 Important Jewels auction, there are six diamonds with a weight greater than 10 carats.

Ten Carats

Lot 336, Spring 2017

10.00 carat, Lot 336, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction, sold for $60,000

What more is there to say? A pair of earrings: Two diamonds with a total of over 27 carats!

Thirteen Carats (Each)

Lot 404, Spring 2017

13.58 carat, and 13.62 carats, Lot 404, offered in the Spring 2017 Important Jewels Auction, sold for $320,000

About Duncan Parker

Duncan Parker, FGA, FCGmA, CAP (CJA), Vice President. Duncan is a columnist and contributor for industry magazines and journals. He has been an instructor of the gemstone course at Ryerson University, the Gemmology courses of George Brown College and Canadian Gemmological Association as well as instructor Master Valuer Program with the Canadian Jewellers Association. A renowned expert, he speaks regularly at international gem and jewellery conferences and symposiums, as well as at less formal events. He has served as President of the Canadian Gemmological Association since 1995. Before joining Dupuis Auctioneers, Duncan was a director of research at Harold Weinstein Ltd., a leading and respected jewellery appraisal company.
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