What is a Carat, Anyway? - Heart In Diamond

If you’re in the market for a diamond, one term that you’ve undoubtedly heard time and time again is “carat.” What exactly does this term refer to? Although it is sometimes misconstrued as a measure of quality, (due to the fact that “karat” with a k measures the purity of gold) the truth is that a carat is a mere measurement of weight.

One carat equals 200 milligrams.

The average weight of an engagement ring, in case you were wondering, is 2 carats. If you really want to impress your fiance, you could go for a 3 carat diamond, but be warned: the price of diamonds tends to rise significantly with each additional carat.