This article summarizes all of the important information you should know in regards to diamond weights. Diamonds are generally measured in carat weight. Each carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. A four grain diamond is also known as a one carat diamond. The word carat is derived from the word carob, which refers to the bean grown in the Mediterranean region. In ancient times, if a diamond weighed equivalent to that of a carob bean, it was one carat or one carob.

Rice was used to measure the diamond weight in the Far East where carob trees did not grow. If a diamond weighed equivalent to four grains of rice, it indicated a one-carat diamond, as they are referred to nowadays. Most of the diamond purchases that take place today are for diamonds that weigh 1/3 of a carat.

You must be cautious while shopping for diamonds that are mounted or set. If the jewelry piece has more than one diamond, the price tag will indicate the CTW or Carat Total Weight. This is not an indication of the carat weight of each stone in the piece. By asking for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece from the jeweler you can understand what you are actually purchasing.