Can someone explain Total Carat Weight?

[codex57]

Looking to buy my girl some diamond stud earings. Was a little confused though. If a pair has a TW of .50 carats, does that mean each stud holds a diamond that''s .25 carats?

Also, is there some site or something so I can figure out and get an idea of how big a different range of diamond sizes are? Like .25 vs .50 vs. .75 vs 1, etc. Thanks.

 

[Aurora Borealis]

That''s right; assuming that each earring is a solitaire, two .25ers would make a TCW of .50 ct. It''s tough to recommend a site for sizes since everyone''s screen resolutions and sizes are different...maybe someone else has a good one?

 

[kevinraja]

You will be lucky if both the stones are 0.25 each. They don''t have to be. They may be 0.23 and 0.27. They only tell you the total weight and not the individual weights.

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 1/18/2005 8:10:21 AM
Author: kevinraja
You will be lucky if both the stones are 0.25 each. They don''t have to be. They may be 0.23 and 0.27. They only tell you the total weight and not the individual weights.

good point!

 

[denverappraiser]

Date: 1/18/2005 8:10:21 AM
Author: kevinraja
You will be lucky if both the stones are 0.25 each. They don''t have to be. They may be 0.23 and 0.27. They only tell you the total weight and not the individual weights.

This is actually usually the case. You''ll notice if you play with the pricing database that there are some significant price jumps at certain weights. If you can arrange to pair up a 0.46 with a 0.54 stone, the combination will be importantly less expensive than the combination of two at 0.50cts. each, even though both sets are 1.00cts total weight. This gets even more pronounced as the sizes get larger.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[JohnQuixote]

Hi Codex.

I PM'd you a link to show relative sizes of different carat weights & corresponding mm side by side.

Here is some info on listings TCW and Apprx TCW:

When “approximate” (or abbreviations thereof) is listed the generally accepted standard within the industry is very close (+ or minus 2 pts each way). Some vendors cut it closer with small tcw... For instance, with .30 tcw each diamond may be between .14 to .17.

If weight is not listed as "approximate," and not accompanied by a disclaimer, a diamond should be the weight advertised. The Federal Trade Commission sayeth: "If the diamond's weight is described in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. For example, ".30 carat" could represent a diamond that weighs between .295 and .304 carat. If the weight is given to only one decimal place, it should be accurate to the second decimal place: If you say a diamond weighs .5 carat, the diamond should weigh between .495 and .504 carat."

Remember that considering tcw is fine, but always look at - and compare -diameter as well, even on small stones.

 

[codex57]

That was a great link. Thanks John. You''ll prolly get an e-mail from me soon.

 

[Kamuelamom]

Date: 1/18/2005 12:15:11 PM
Author: JohnQuixote


I PM''d you a link to show relative sizes of different carat weights & corresponding mm side by side.

Hi John, would you mind PMing me that link too? Or better yet, are you able to post it for others as well? Thank you!

~kmom

 

[codex57]

Date: 1/18/2005 9:21:14 PM
Author: Kamuelamom

Date: 1/18/2005 12:15:11 PM

Hi John, would you mind PMing me that link too? Or better yet, are you able to post it for others as well? Thank you!

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-education/diamond_carat.aspx

 

[JohnQuixote]

Thanks Codex.

We of vendorland don''t link to our own sites in the forum - it could be viewed as self-promo - but yous guys can consumer-share pertinent info you''ve seen on any of the vendor sites.