As a customer in the market for quality diamonds, it’s imperative that we understand all the specifics regarding this fine jewelry. Whether it’s for an engagement, Christmas, or anniversary, having your facts straight, and your knowledge in order will save you money and hassle along the way.
In this article, we’re going to tackle all the major things you need to know about your next diamond purchase. We’ll cover diamond TW, diamond CT, diamond CTTW, and Diamond TW Vs Diamond CW Vs CT Vs CTTW. We’re going to go over everything that goes along with buying a diamond, from the weight, size, and color, all the way to questions you may have.
Understanding the proper terminology for diamonds can be a challenge at first, but that’s why you came to us. You need to understand a handful of different abbreviations, some different jewelry “scams”, and most importantly what your wallet is capable of buying.
Stick around and take some mental notes, so you can impress your special someone next time you arrive at the diamond store.
Contents
- Is a TW Diamond A Real Diamond?
- Everything you need to know about the abbreviations of Diamond Ratings
- Differentiating Between CW And TW
- What Is Diamond CT?
- Diamond Carat (CT) Total Weight (TW)
- CT TW VS CARAT
- What is The Difference between Diamond Total Weight (DTW) and Diamond Weight (DW)?
- Diamond Size Vs Carat Size
- Frequently Asked Question
- How To Tell A Real Diamond Using A Flashlight?
- How Do I Rate Or Value My Diamond Necklace?
Is a TW Diamond A Real Diamond?
TW diamond is still a real diamond. TW stands for “total weight”, now a common misunderstanding is TW diamond is solely the weight of the diamond. Which is incorrect and can get you into some trouble at the cash register once you go to pay.
The total weight is referring to the physical combined weight of various diamonds in a piece of jewelry.
For example, a ring that has 1 large stone and 3 smaller stones have a total weight (TW) of 2 carats. But, the large stone only weighs 1 carat. This simply means TW diamond is the combined weight of all gems correlated with the piece that is for sale.
Everything you need to know about the abbreviations of Diamond Ratings
Now that we’ve looked into the rabbit hole it’s time to jump. TW diamonds are just one of five abbreviations we need to memorize, before going into the store.
Remember our goal here is to walk into the store full of confidence and knowledge, to walk out with the best piece of jewelry for our significant other and our wallets.
CW diamonds or carat-weight diamonds are talking specifically to the weight of one diamond. In most cases, this will be referencing the biggest diamond on the piece.
CT is Carat weight and refers to the weight of one, singular diamond. Referring to our earlier example, a ring that has 1 large stone and 3 smaller stones have a total weight (TW) of 2 carats. But, the large stone is only 1 carat, or the diamond CT is 1.
CTTW is a combination of two abbreviations. This stands for carat and the total weight of all diamonds combined in one piece of jewelry.
I’m sure you’re confused and lost at this point but let me clarify. Diamond TW Vs Diamond CW Vs CT Vs CTTW, are all very similar, yet they each have their own purpose.
A simple way to remember this is TW and CTTW refer to the Carat Total Weight of all the different diamonds in a piece added together.
CT and CW are specifically referring to one stone.
Differentiating Between CW And TW
Carat weight (CW) and total weight (TW) are not the same. The carat weight is a product of the mass of the “centerpiece” of the piece of jewelry. Whereas, the total weight is the collective of the multiple different stones that are present. Understanding these two abbreviations is what is going to give you clarity as to why the price is what the price is.
In America, we use pounds to tell us the weight of our own person. In diamonds, the measure is carat weight (CW).
When we’re trying to understand this concept we need to grasp different stones hold different qualities. When a stone is a centerpiece, it is because it’s the best quality stone. The surrounding stones, even though still diamonds, are the smaller, lower-quality stone.
Have you ever noticed a piece with a variety of stones shining everywhere? Then you check the price tag and it is way cheaper than you imagined, or at least cheaper than the ring beside it with only 1 large stone. This is because of the 4 C’s. Cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.
The ring with all the smaller diamonds is measuring total weight, whereas the ring with one large stone is measuring the carat weight.
Lastly, we need to understand the “on the scale” difference. A large stone (CW) will measure in a full carat. For example .25, .50, .75, 1, but a TW diamond measure on a scale of 15’s. For example, 1/15, 2/15, 3/15, etc.
| Diamond CW | Diamond TW |
| One Singular Stone | Multiple stones |
| Hold More Value Than TW | Less valuable than CW |
| Measures on a scale of full carats | Measures on a system of 15’s |
What Is Diamond CT?
A diamond carat (CT), is the actual measurement of weight for diamonds specifically. To compare the weight of a diamond to “human” measurements, think of 1 carat as .200 grams. Remember a diamond is very small, yet very precious, so creating a measurement specifically for diamonds is important.
If we were measuring in grams, it just wouldn’t be specific enough, and somewhere along the line, somebody would be losing money. This is a game of hundredths and thousands.
Diamond Carat (CT) Total Weight (TW)
If you don’t understand the abbreviations yet, it’s important to go back and try to grasp the content more. We’re now combining two abbreviations, which can only mean one thing, we’re combining, two kinds of stones on one piece of jewelry.
When walking through the jewelry store the pieces that catch my eye are embezzled in gems, shining bright like a kaleidoscope once a beam of light hits it.
These pieces have both the stones we were talking about earlier, CT and TW. With the main stone taking over the center to draw your eye in, and smaller less valuable stones around the outside encapsulating the main attraction. It’s important to understand where the jeweler is getting the value for each piece down to the specifics.
The CTTW can not, solely by itself give you the price. We have to think back to the 4 C’s, cut, color, clarity, and carat size. Two identical pieces of jewelry could have the exact same CTTW, and yet be thousands of dollars apart, here’s why.
We have two rings, ring 1 has a center stone CT of 1, and the smaller stones have a TW of 10/15. Giving the overall weight a total of 1.66CT. Ring number 2, has a center stone carat of .66 and a TW of 15/15, also giving it a total weight of 1.66CT.
The ring that has the larger CT will always be worth more money.
CT TW VS CARAT
So, let’s stick with the examples that we were just referencing.
We have two rings, ring 1 has a center stone CT of 1, and the smaller stones have a TW of 10/15. Giving the overall weight a total of 1.66CT. Ring number 2, has a center stone carat of .66 and a TW of 15/15, also giving it a total weight of 1.66CT.
The carat is the more valuable scale when we talk about diamonds. A simple way to remember this is the bigger number scale (1 carat) is worth more money. As well, as vice versa, the smaller number scale (1/15) is the less valuable diamonds.
In these examples, they’re the same weight overall, but the piece with the larger centerpiece or carat will always be worth more money (bigger diamond, more money).
I’m sure you’re saying how can diamonds be so different! They’re actually very similar. So close to being the same they had to create all this complicated terminology to differ from the specific differences.
Diamonds are diamonds, and will always be diamonds. The diamond industry has created this system to be able to value and decipher what is what. With that said, most smaller diamonds started off as a piece of a larger diamond, but through the process of cutting, shaping, and fitting diamonds in a custom piece you get offcuts.
The same goes for when diamonds are formed naturally inside the earth. Some were forming for millions of years longer than others.The larger stones are significantly rarer because there are fewer of them. This means the smaller stones(which are still rare) are less valuable in the sense of size, and quality.
How Does Carat Weight Influence The Value Of The Diamond?
Carat weight is one of the main inquiries when we get into the value of the stone. The more the stone weighs, the more valuable the stone is. If the stone is bigger, the stone took more time to form, but it doesn’t mean the stone weighs more.
The longer the stone took to form, the more rare and valuable the stone is. The 4 C’s will be your best friend to understanding and grasping the value and how the value is calculated.
The higher quality of the cut, color, clarity, and weight of carat size, together give you the ultimate value of the stone. With the carat size being one of the main focuses.
What is The Difference between Diamond Total Weight (DTW) and Diamond Weight (DW)?
Diamond total weight is the weight of every diamond on the ring. Whereas diamond weight is the weight of one specific diamond. Diamond size and weight are two different things. Two diamonds can look the same size and have two different measures and values. As well, two stones could appear to look completely different and yet still weigh the same.
Diamond Total Weight (DTW)
If you get a ring that has a value of 2 DTW, that means the ring weight is coming from all the natural diamonds present on the ring. Remember this isn’t the same as 2 CT, carat and diamond weight are different.
Diamond Weight (DW)
The weight of one singular stone, the physical mass the stone holds.
Diamond Size Vs Carat Size
Although everyone makes a big scene when seeing a large diamond on someone’s ring finger, that doesn’t mean it is the most expensive diamond that came out of the store. Just like everything else in the world, diamonds have density.
The denser an object, the more weight the object holds. The same goes for the less dense. For example, a tree can weigh 500 pounds and still float, because it is less dense. Whereas, a rock can weigh 100 pounds and sink to the bottom of the lake in a blink of an eye.
It is the same correlation for diamonds, except I don’t recommend trying a float test with your multiple thousand-dollar diamonds.
If a diamond has a higher carat and gives the illusion that it is smaller, it still holds a higher value than its counterpart; less dense diamonds. Same, If the bigger diamond appears to be larger, yet weighs less the value follows the density.
Frequently Asked Question
What are the points of a Diamond?
When we refer to, “what are the points of a diamond” your mind instantly goes to literally the pointed side of the diamond. The points are calculated off the carat size or weight of the diamond.
The carat system is made out of 100, or 1.00. So if a diamond weighs .5 CT, then the diamond will have 50/100 points on the scale.
What’s The Value Of A 1/10 TW Diamond?
Firstly, we need to reference the 4 C’s. Depending on its cut, color, and clarity, a 1/10-carat diamond or 10 points diamond will be worth between $70 to $100.
What’s The Size Of A 1/10 Carat Diamond?
The size of a 1/10 carat diamond is 10/100 points, or simply a 1/10 carat. The fractions associated with the diamond depict the actual size of the stone.
How To Tell A Real Diamond Using A Flashlight?
A real diamond will reflect light easily. It will also provide you with a kaleidoscope-type reflection. Simply if you press a flashlight up to the stone and there happens to be a light show on your wall, chances are the diamond is real.
How Do I Rate Or Value My Diamond Necklace?
The simplest way to get a monetary value, and rating on your jewelry is to take it to a professional. Professional jewelers hold a high standard for their stores and are equipped with the best technology for exactly this.
Throughout this article, we’ve discussed the main concerns for all diamond sales. Whether you’re window shopping for an anniversary or you’re finally popping the question, it’s imperative that you know at least these abbreviations and terminology when walking into that store.
Not only will it save you a few bucks in the long run, but you will also impress the jeweler and more important the person you’re buying for.
Our Team of 10 includes jewelry experts, antique Buyers & Sellers, baseball card collectors, and other appraisal experts.
