One of the most significant of the 4C's in diamond purchasing is carat. It is the internationally recognized standard for determining the weight of a diamond (not to be confused with karat, a measure of gold purity). Carat is a good starting point, but keep in mind that it can be a slightly complicated calculation. CTTW, or carat total weight, will ultimately determine the overall effect of the ring you select. Many brides-to-be will argue that it is the most important factor because it has such a significant impact on the appearance of your engagement ring.
CTTW is an abbreviation for "carat total weight" or "total carat weight." It's a metric for calculating the total weight of all the diamonds in a piece of jewelry, such as a tennis bracelet or a pavé diamond ring. For some engagement rings, “CTTW” may be written as “CT TW.” CT is an abbreviation for "carat," a unit of weight for diamonds. TW is for "total weight," and it is used to calculate the total weight of all diamonds in a piece of jewelry. The carat weight of a single diamond and the total carat weight of a diamond ring are two very different numbers, which can be confusing for first-time buyers.
The carat weight of a diamond refers to its weight rather than its size. A single metric carat diamond weighs exactly 200 milligrams and has a diameter ranging from 5.60mm to 6.60mm, depending on the cut grade. When looking at loose diamonds online, the carat weight is usually listed alongside other characteristics such as cut, color, and clarity. CTTW, on the other hand, refers to the total weight of all diamonds in a particular piece of jewelry. Unlike ct., which represents the weight of a loose diamond or center stone, CTTW represents the total carat weight of all diamonds.
Diamond Carat: Weight Defined and its Origin
The word ‘Carat’ originates from Ceratonia siliqua, generally known as the Carob Tree. In olden times, prior to the invention of weighing scales, diamond traders matched the weight of a diamond with a seed of the carob tree, interesting right?
Thus, carat is a term used to describe the weight of a diamond. They are weighed in metric carats: 1 carat is equal to ⅕ of a gram, or 200mg, about the same weight of a paper clip!
What You Need to Know About CTTW:
It’s Only for Diamonds!
CTTW only covers the total weight of diamonds in a jewelry piece. If you’re looking at an engagement ring with emeralds and diamonds, the CTTW does not include the emeralds. It's important to note that companies that use lab-created diamonds still use CTTW, so it's not always a measure of exclusively natural diamonds.
CTTW is Not a Good Indicator of Price
Two rings with the same CTTW number can have drastically different prices. It is determined by how much of the center stone takes up the CTTW versus accent stones. For instance, a ring with five small stones and a 1 carat center stone may cost significantly less than a ring with a 1-carat diamond in the center and two larger accent stones.
CTTW is a Total of Both Earrings
If you're purchasing earrings, divide the CTTW by two to determine the size of the stone(s) on each earring.
While a ring with a large total carat weight may appear impressive, keep in mind that the weight of the center stone is usually the most important factor in determining the value of an engagement ring. The central diamond is the main attraction! If you're going to use halo, pave, or other accent diamonds to save money, choose a high-quality central diamond with a lower carat weight. Ensure that the accent diamonds are of high enough quality to enhance rather than diminish the value of the central diamond. Check out our selection of diamonds and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to one of our gemologists!
