This word is often confused with "karat", a completely different term used to describe the quality of gold.
Since all diamonds must be cut and polished to remove the outer layer of "rough", large diamonds are rare.
The price of diamonds rises as their size and weight increase. Therefore, a two carat diamond can cost four times as much as a one carat diamond of the same quality.
Some gemologists describe diamond weight in terms of points, not carats. 1 carat = 100 points • 1/2 carat = 50 points • 1/4 carat = 25 points • etc.
