CTW vs. CTTW: Know Your Diamonds

Diamonds are one of the most coveted precious stones on the planet. Formed miles beneath the surface of the earth, they’re the toughest substance known to man.

The only material that is strong enough to scratch a diamond is another diamond. They’re dazzlingly beautiful and also shrouded in myth and legend.

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Diamond Myths

In the Middle Ages, people thought that diamonds could cure everything from tiredness to depression with their innate health-giving properties. Various ancient cultures also used diamonds on their armor, as they believed it gave them protection when fighting their rivals.

The Ancient Greeks believed that diamonds found on earth were tears that their gods up on Olympus had cried. As for the Romans, they thought that diamonds were pieces of fallen stars.

Roman myths also told that the tips of Cupid’s arrows were made of diamond. In fact, that might be where our modern-day association between diamonds and love originally came from.

Buying Diamonds

When you buy a diamond, you know it’s going to last a lifetime.

So, if you’re looking to purchase one of these little beauties, it’s definitely in your interest to brush up on your knowledge of them.

When you’re browsing quality gems, you’re almost certainly guaranteed to have expert sales people on hand to give you the breakdown of their glittering features.

But all the expert jargon in the world won’t help you make the right decision if you haven’t got the faintest idea what they’re on about.

Never fear, we’ve got the fundamentals covered, starting with Carat Weight and Carat Total Weight.

CTW vs CTTW: Spot the Difference

Jewelers and dealers will most likely refer to Carat Weight (CTW) and Carat Total Weight (CTTW) when taking you through the ins and outs of the gems you’re viewing.

Although the two terms are deceptively similar, CTW and CTTW are very different things.

Or, you might have seen bracelets and necklaces encrusted with lots of different gems. The carat total weight of these pieces will tell you the total carat value of all of their stones put together.

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Also Read: Diamond Accents – Are They Worth It?

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Hold up. What’s a Carat?

Carats are one of the four Cs used to measure the quality of diamonds:

These four criteria were chosen as the definitive categories for assessing diamond quality. They’re now used the world over to accurately pinpoint the true value of these popular gems.

Carats are the unit used to measure the weight of diamonds. It’s a specialist term applied to all diamonds: one carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or 100 ‘points’.

The carat points system runs on this basis:

Simple when you put it like that, isn’t it?

Or is it?

Know Your Abbreviations

With so much to bear in mind, it’s easy to get confused when browsing gems. What’s more, experts often use several terms to refer to the same thing when they’re talking about diamonds.

Let’s simplify the basics:

It’s important to know the difference between CTW vs CTTW.

That way, you’ll be all set to properly compare the jewelry you’re browsing, or even to recognize a dud deal when you see one.

Even if you get the basic difference between CTW vs CTTW, the complexities don’t stop there. There’s a lot to think about to make sure you’re getting a good deal on your diamonds.

Here are a couple of points to bear in mind:

Weight, not size

The carat weight depends on how much the diamond weighs, not it’s physical size. That means you could have several diamonds with various dimensions, but all with an identical carat weight.

In fact, raw diamonds typically lose up to half their original size while they’re being cut, shaped and polished to get them ready to use in jewelry.

The stone’s carat weight will tell you what’s left, and just how valuable it is.

Steep price increase

While the carat points system increases at fixed intervals, diamond prices don’t play by the same rules.

If you’re looking at two diamonds in the same quality range, it’s obvious that the larger stone will be considerably more expensive.

But if the stone is two times the size of another diamond with the same quality rating, it won’t necessarily be just two times the price.

In fact, it’ll be most likely to set you back about three of four times the price of the smaller gem. This is simple to explain: it’s easier to find smaller stones of a high quality, so larger diamonds with the same quality rating will carry a steeper price tag.

Beat the System

It’s well worth knowing that diamond prices increase rapidly at the half carat and full carat marks.

As a larger carat weight means a considerable increase in value, half carats and full carat weights up the price tag more than, say, ¼ of a carat or ¾ of a carat.

So, if you’re looking for a quality stone that won’t break the bank, then choose a gem that’s just under the next half or full carat up.

That way, you’ll hardly notice the small difference in appearance and you’ll get a great deal.  

What Should You Bear in Mind for Each Type of Jewelry?

Any Tips That Apply to Diamonds in General?

Bear in mind the following tips when you’re browsing diamonds, and you won’t go far wrong.

Appearance

Mixed gemstones

Creating gorgeous pieces with a variety of gemstone cuts and colors is popular, for obvious reasons. But, it’s important to know that the carat total weight of a piece of jewelry will only refer to the diamonds it has on it.

If you like the look of rings or other pieces with rubies, emeralds, sapphires or any other gems, bear in mind that these won’t be counted in the carat total weight.

Synthetic diamonds

Nowadays, specialist laboratories use cutting-edge technology to create synthetic diamonds that look just like the real thing. Synthetic gems are a sustainable option and have a minimal impact on the environment.

So, although what you’re seeing may look like a real diamond, it might have been made in a lab. Even diamond specialists with a lifetime of experience can’t tell the difference between natural and synthetic diamonds without using professional gadgets.

If the jewelry you’re looking at is made with synthetic diamonds, it will still have a CTTW value on its tag. So, make sure you know exactly what you’re looking at!

Fancy diamonds

Sure, all diamonds are fancy, but not all diamonds are fancy diamonds. Still following?

‘Fancy’ is the technical term used to describe rare diamonds that aren’t colorless. See the 4C’s picture above. Never seen one that isn’t clear in color? They do exist; they’re just much harder to find.

Diamonds exist in different hues of pink, yellow, blue and green and even red, brown, orange and black. When assessing their value, carat weight and carat total weight still apply in the same way.  

Knowledge

Central stones and accent diamonds

When you’re looking to buy diamond jewelry, it’s important to ask about the carat value of the central stone. As the most visible stone in the piece, it’s likely to have the highest carat weight.

So, the carat value of the largest stone will be a good indication of whether you’re getting a good price for the jewelry.

The central piece is also likely to have superior cut, color and clarity to the accent diamonds that surround it.

However, it’s still important to ask about the carat total weight of these smaller gems. This information will allow you to accurately compare prices.

Where to Look

Usually, you’ll find the relevant CTW and CTTW information on the certificate for the diamond you’re looking at. If not, just ask at the store and they should be able to tell you everything you need to know to make the perfect diamond choice!