Unlocking the Reasons Why 1-Carat Diamonds Have Varying Prices What You Need to Know Before Buying
If you're not in the diamond industry or a diamond expert, a newcomer interested in beautiful diamond jewelry, you've probably wondered why 1-carat diamonds don't all cost the same. If you're a beginner with little to no experience, the first thing we recommend is to study and understand diamonds, acquiring some basic knowledge about them. Start by learning about "carat."
How Much Does a 1-Carat Diamond Cost? Why Do Prices Vary?
Before we delve into why 1-carat diamonds have different prices, let's review some basic knowledge about diamond carats. The weight of every diamond on Earth follows two fixed rules:
- First, diamond weight is always measured in carats. For example, if a 0.5-carat diamond costs 45,000 baht per carat, then a 1-carat diamond would theoretically cost 90,000 baht.
- Second, the price per carat of a diamond increases as it moves into higher weight categories, similar to buying luxury European cars where adding options increases the price.
As we mentioned, when the carat weight of a diamond increases, its price usually increases as well. However, that might not always be the case. Remember that diamonds are gemstones that are traded more on emotion than reason. For example, a 0.99-carat diamond might be only 1-2% more expensive than a 0.98-carat diamond, but a 1-carat diamond can be as much as 5-15% more expensive than a 0.99-carat diamond. The question that follows is, why is this so? It comes down to the buyer's pride. At least they can confidently tell others that the diamond they bought is a whole 1 carat. In conclusion, it's purely a matter of psychology and demand.
Besides carat weight affecting the price of a diamond, the quality of the cut, the diamond's color (water), and its clarity also influence the price. This means that the price of a 1-carat diamond can vary depending on the quality of that particular diamond. The cut of a diamond affects its brilliance; when cut to proper proportions, the diamond will exhibit the most sparkle and shine. At the same time, the diamond's color (water) also affects its price. A colorless diamond (water grade 100) is the purest and results in maximum brilliance. Naturally, a colorless diamond is more expensive than diamonds with a yellow tint. Clarity also plays a role. Flawless diamonds or those with very few inclusions usually command higher prices.
How Many "Tang" is a 1-Carat Diamond?
A 1-carat diamond weighs 0.2 grams or is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat is equal to 100 "tang," which is another unit used to describe diamond weight but is a smaller unit. It is mostly used for diamonds weighing less than 1 carat. For example, a 0.05-carat diamond is called a 5-tang diamond, and a 0.5-carat diamond is called a 50-tang diamond.
In conclusion, why the price of a 1-carat diamond varies depends on its carat weight, color (water), clarity, and cut. All of these factors contribute to the diamond's price. However, we can reference diamond prices in two ways: by referring to the average price (Rapaport Price List) and by prices not based on this list. The Rapaport Price List is a globally recognized standard used for reference and is updated every Friday. Generally, the average price of diamonds doesn't change much or changes slightly infrequently."