Are you aware of the significance of CTTW in the context of purchasing diamond jewelry? If not, you’ve come to the right place. This educational guide provides answers to common questions related to this jewelry acronym, such as:
- Definition of CTTW
- Price of a 1 cttw diamond ring
- Difference between carat weight and carat size
- CTTW meaning clarification.
Diamond Carat
Diamond carat is a unit of weight used to measure diamonds. Similar to how pounds are used to measure weight in the US, carat weight is used to measure the weight of a diamond. One carat is equivalent to one-fifth or 0.20 grams, which is also equal to 200 milligrams. Grams are not commonly used in the context of fine jewelry.
Diamond carat weight is usually expressed in fractions such as 1 carat, 3/4 carat, half-carat, one-third carat, and one-fourth carat, which are common weights for diamond rings and earrings. Decimal points can also be used to express carat weight, with 1/4 carat being equivalent to 0.25 carat points.
The word “carat” comes from ancient methods of weighing precious stones of various sizes. These methods used carob seeds, which weigh approximately 200mg or one-fifth of a gram each. This weight was used to measure not only diamonds, but also other precious stones of different sizes.
Karat vs. Carat
Diamond carat weight should not be confused with karats, which are used to measure the purity of gold in jewelry. While both terms are related to jewelry, they have different meanings. Karats are used to indicate the amount of gold in a piece of jewelry, whereas carats are used to measure the weight of a loose diamond.
What Does One CTTW in Jewelry Mean?
If you’ve ever purchased diamond jewelry from a local retailer or online store, you may have come across the abbreviation CTTW on the price tag or product description. In the context of jewelry, CTTW refers to carat total weight, also known as total diamond weight or carat weight total (ctw).
The abbreviation CT stands for carat, while TW stands for total weight. It is common to see CTTW, CTW, TW, or TDW used interchangeably to indicate the total weight of all the diamonds in a piece of jewelry, whether it is an engagement ring or a single diamond.
Carat Total Weight vs. Carat Weight
When purchasing a diamond engagement ring, it is important to understand the difference between carat weight and total carat weight. A solitaire diamond ring that weighs one carat is not the same as a cluster diamond ring with a total weight of one carat.
Although both rings have the same total weight, they are quite different.
A traditional solitaire ring typically features one center stone without any accent diamonds or other stones in the setting. Modern solitaire ring designs may include hidden diamonds on the sides of the setting or encrusted on the prongs, but these diamonds are typically very small.
In contrast, a cluster diamond ring features multiple smaller diamonds that are combined to create the desired carat weight. The diamonds may be arranged in various ways, such as a halo around the center stone or in a pave setting. As a result, the overall appearance of a cluster diamond ring is usually more intricate and detailed than that of a solitaire ring.
When it comes to purchasing an engagement ring, understanding the difference between carat weight and total carat weight is essential. For this comparison, we’ll focus on a classic solitaire engagement ring with a 1-carat emerald cut diamond.
AVAILABLE ON BRILLIANTEARTH
While solitaire rings typically feature only one center stone, some newer styles may have hidden or small diamonds on the side of the setting. However, these diamonds are usually not of significant weight.
Alternatively, cluster settings can be a great way to afford a diamond ring because they feature several small diamonds set closely together, giving the illusion of a larger diamond. Kay Jewelers’ Now and Forever collection features many cluster settings or quad settings, which are a variation of the cluster setting. In a quad setting, four square-shaped small stones are set together to look like one large diamond.
RECOMMENDED: Solitaire Ring Settings
With cluster settings, lower quality diamonds can be used for the small accent diamonds without sacrificing the overall look and beauty of the ring. This is because the small diamonds are so tiny that inclusions found in lower clarity diamonds are hardly noticeable. Therefore, they don’t require the highest clarity or color grades.
However, when it comes to three stone rings, the total carat weight of each diamond may impact the required diamond grades. For instance, a 1/2 carat diamond as the center stone with two side stones each weighing 1/4 carat total weight may require higher diamond grades than side stones weighing 1/10 carat total weight each.
When shopping for an engagement ring, it’s crucial to understand the difference between carat weight and total carat weight, and how it can impact the cost and quality of the ring. Cluster settings can be an excellent option for those on a budget, as they allow for the use of lower quality diamonds for the accent stones without sacrificing the overall look of the ring.
Diamond Earrings Total Carat Weight
It’s common for people to get confused about the total weight of diamond earrings. For instance, if you come across a pair of diamond studs with a price tag that says “1 ctw,” it means that the total weight (tw) of the diamonds in both earrings equals 1 carat. This implies that each earring has a diamond with a weight of 0.5 carats, which means a half-carat per diamond.
Diamond Size vs. Diamond Weight
The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. This weight measurement is also referred to as carat weight. It can represent the weight of one diamond or the total weight of multiple diamonds in a setting.
It is important to note that the weight of a diamond does not necessarily correspond to its size. This means that a diamond with a higher carat weight may not necessarily appear larger than a diamond with a lower carat weight, as the size is also affected by the diamond’s shape and cut.
The most common diamond shape is the round cut, which is why many jewelers provide a chart displaying different carat weights for this shape. This can be helpful for customers to understand how the weight of a diamond affects its appearance, but it is important to remember that the chart is specific to the round shape and may not apply to other shapes.
The face-up size of a diamond is determined by its shape. For instance, a one carat total weight round diamond will look smaller compared to a one carat total weight pear cut diamond.
Even though two diamonds may have the same carat weight, their shapes require different cutting techniques to achieve the desired sparkle and shape. The majority of the carat weight in a round diamond is concentrated in the deep pavilion, whereas a pear cut diamond has a more elongated shape and is not cut as shallow.
It can be helpful to think of it this way: a pear-shaped diamond has a larger surface area than a round-shaped diamond, even if they weigh the same. This is because the pear shape is elongated, and the distribution of weight is different than in a round diamond. Therefore, the visual appearance and size of the diamonds may vary even if they have the same carat weight.
Frequently Asked Questions on CTTW
What is the cost of a 1 ct tw diamond ring?
The cost of a 1 ct tw diamond ring can vary depending on various factors such as the quality of the diamonds, the type of setting, the brand, and certification. A 1 ct tw diamond ring refers to the total carat weight of all diamonds in the ring being equal to 1 carat.
The quality of the diamonds is a major factor that affects the price of a 1 ct tw diamond ring. The diamonds’ color, cut, clarity, and carat weight determine their value. A 1 ct tw diamond ring may have diamonds with different carat weights, and the quality of each diamond may also vary.
Diamonds
Diamonds are not solely evaluated or prized based on their carat weight. Instead, the quality of a diamond is assessed using the 4Cs system, which was developed by the Gemological Institute of America, a leading authority on diamonds and gemstones. The 4Cs system consists of four aspects: diamond cut, diamond clarity, diamond color, and diamond carat weight, and each category has different levels of grading, with the exception of carat weight.
RECOMMENDED: Best Place to Buy Gemstones Online
When determining the value of a diamond, the grades assigned to each of the 4Cs are the most significant factor. However, the value can also be affected by the total carat weight of the diamond jewelry. For instance, an engagement ring with multiple small diamonds that have a total carat weight of 1 carat will likely cost less and have less value than a single diamond with the same total carat weight.
If a single diamond has lower grades in the 4Cs system, it may be less expensive than jewelry that contains small diamonds with a total carat weight of 1 carat. In general, a single diamond will be more expensive than small diamonds because it is easier for diamond cutters to create smaller diamonds from rough diamond material. It is much more challenging to cut larger, high-quality diamonds from rough material. The majority of diamonds that are mined are not of gem quality and are instead used for industrial purposes.
Cutting a large diamond with outstanding clarity and color grades is a highly challenging task. As a result, the cost of a large, central diamond is typically higher than that of numerous smaller diamonds with the same total weight.
Ring Settings
When purchasing a 1 cttw diamond ring, the cost will also be influenced by its setting. This is not applicable if you are purchasing a single loose diamond.
However, if the loose diamond is mounted in a ring, the setting cost will be included in the price. Various metals used for ring settings have varying values and prices. If your 1 ctw diamond ring is set in solid platinum or gold, it will be more expensive.
Conversely, it will be less expensive if it is set in sterling silver or plated gold. Additionally, 14 karat gold rings will be less costly than 18k gold rings.
Is it accurate to assume that all jewelry pieces labeled with CTTW, TW, or TDW contain real diamonds?
This is a common misconception as not all gemstones that are measured in carats are diamonds. Although diamonds are typically measured by carat weight in the jewelry industry, sellers of other gemstones and diamond simulants may also measure their products in carats.
While other gems are officially measured by millimeter weight, many customers are more familiar with diamond carat weight, which makes it easier for sellers to market their products by carat weight rather than millimeter size.
Even colorless stones that sparkle can be measured as CT or CTTW, which can be misleading. For instance, a listing that claims “1 ct tw diamond cubic zirconia” is not a real diamond because it includes the words “cubic zirconia” or CZ in the name. However, lab-made diamonds found in engagement rings are genuine diamonds that are also measured in carats.
Simulated diamonds and imitation diamonds, on the other hand, are not genuine diamonds. Instead, they are other colorless gemstones that may serve as diamond alternatives or deceive buyers, depending on how they are disclosed.
Is a 1/10 carat total weight diamond considered good?
To clarify, diamonds are measured in carat weight, which can include fractions and decimals. A 1/10 carat diamond is equivalent to .10 carats, or 10% of a full carat.
However, a diamond weighing 1/10 carat total weight is very small and not typically used as a center stone in jewelry. Most retailers will not sell center stones smaller than .3 carat total weight.
Diamond jewelry with small diamond chips often weigh around 1/10 carat total weight. Some retailers, such as Kay and Zales, may offer these types of diamond pieces as giveaways during their customer appreciation events.