Diamond Carat Weight
Carat Weight is one of the most important considerations with respect to rarity, value, and consumer preference. In fact, Carat Weight, or how much the diamond weighs is the most significant value factor in a diamond. Because diamonds by nature are rare, a 2 carat diamond is actually about 3 times more valuable than a comparable quality 1 carat size. Statistically a 1 carat is one in a million diamonds mined, and a 2 carat is one in five million diamonds mined. Therefore, all things considered a 2 carat diamond is really "value priced" based on the rarity factor.
Below are two identical pieces of rough, (uncut diamonds) each of the same quality and value.
Example 1: (Ideal Cut Diamond) From one piece of rough a diamond has been cut to Ideal Proportions, retaining a weight of one carat. The light is totally reflected through the top of the diamond.
Example 2: (Inferior Cut Diamond)The second piece of rough has been "spread" in its cutting, resulting in a diamond weighing approximately 1.40 ct. Note: The girdle is thicker, the table is much larger, the angles are exaggerated, all at the expense of the diamond's ability to reflect light.
Therefore one can see that the value of a diamond can vary as much as 40% in the cutting alone.