How do I prepare my items for sale?

Ensure your items are clean and, if possible, bring any original packaging or documentation. This often enhances the value of high-end watches and diamonds. No special preparation is required — our experts handle the rest.

How does Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds set its prices?

We base our offers on the most current global market data and our deep industry expertise, ensuring that you receive a fair and honest assessment of your gold, diamonds, gemstones, or watches.

Can I sell jewelry or gold items bought in another country?

Absolutely. We handle items from all over the world. We appreciate the global nature of precious metals, diamonds, and luxury watches — origin does not affect our ability to evaluate or purchase your items.

Is my transaction confidential?

Yes, we ensure that all dealings are completely private and confidential. Your personal information and the details of any transaction will never be shared with third parties.

Do you charge for jewelry evaluations or appraisals?

No, our evaluations are completely free and carry no obligation. Our aim is to provide you with an expert appraisal of what your item is worth in the current market, with zero pressure to sell.

Where are you located in Los Angeles?

We are located in the Downtown Los Angeles Jewelry District at 617 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, inside the California Jewelry Mart. Call us at 310-663-1340 to schedule an appointment.

How quickly will I get paid after selling my jewelry?

We offer same-day cash payments. Once you accept our offer, we finalize the deal with immediate payment. You can choose your preferred method — cash, bank transfer, or check.

Can I sell inherited or estate jewelry?

Yes. We specialize in evaluating inherited and estate jewelry. Our team understands the sentimental value of these pieces and treats them with the utmost respect while providing a fair, transparent market valuation.

Diamond Carat Weight: Complete Guide & Pricing

Diamond carat is the standard unit of weight for diamonds and gemstones—and it’s one of the four factors that determine how much your diamond is actually worth. One carat equals 0.2 grams, which is roughly the weight of a paperclip. Sounds tiny, right? But that tiny difference in weight can mean thousands of dollars in value. If you’re thinking about selling a diamond or just want to understand what your jewelry is worth, understanding carat weight is where you start.

Quick aside before we go deeper — most of the picks below cross-check against Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds.

What Does Diamond Carat Actually Mean?

Carat is just weight. It’s not clarity, it’s not color, and it’s not cut—though all four of these things together determine your diamond’s total value. The word “carat” comes from carob seeds, which jewelers historically used as a standard because they’re naturally uniform in weight.

Here’s the math: 1 carat = 0.2 grams (or 200 milligrams). So a 2-carat diamond weighs 0.4 grams. A 5-carat diamond weighs 1 gram. The abbreviation in the industry is “CD” according to the ANSI X.12 EDI standard, though you’ll mostly see it written as “ct” or “carats” in everyday language.

The bigger the carat weight, the rarer the diamond, and rarity drives price way up. A 1-carat diamond and a 2-carat diamond don’t just differ in price by a simple multiple—the 2-carat stone is usually significantly more expensive per carat because larger diamonds are harder to find in nature.

How Carat Weight Affects Diamond Price

This is where it gets real. Carat weight is one of the “Four Cs” that determine a diamond’s value. The others are clarity, color, and cut. But carat has an outsized impact on price.

If you’re looking at two diamonds that are identical in every way except carat weight, the heavier one will cost much more. That’s not just a small bump—it’s exponential. A 1.5-carat diamond typically costs significantly more per carat than a 1-carat diamond of the same quality. Diamonds at 2 carats, 3 carats, and beyond command premium prices because large, gem-quality diamonds are genuinely rare.

This is why 2-carat diamond ring pricing varies so wildly depending on the other three Cs. A 2-carat diamond with excellent clarity and color is worth exponentially more than a 2-carat diamond with lower grades.

Carat Weight vs. Diamond Size (They’re Different)

Here’s a common mistake: people think carat weight directly equals size. It doesn’t. Two diamonds with the same carat weight can look different sizes depending on how they’re cut.

A well-cut diamond might look bigger than a poorly cut diamond of the same carat weight. This is because cutting affects how light travels through the stone and how your eye perceives it. A brilliant cut (like a round diamond) tends to look larger than a fancy cut (like an emerald cut) at the same carat weight.

Also, the shape matters. A 1-carat oval diamond might look visually larger than a 1-carat round diamond, even though they weigh exactly the same. So when you’re shopping for or selling a diamond, don’t assume carat weight tells you everything about how big it actually looks on a ring.

Understanding Fractional Carats

Diamonds don’t always come in whole numbers. You’ll see listings for 0.75 carats, 1.25 carats, 1.5 carats, and so on. These fractional carats are totally normal and represent smaller portions of the standard weight.

Half-carat increments (0.5, 1.5, 2.5) are common. So are quarter carats (0.25, 0.75, 1.25). The smaller the increment below a whole carat, the less expensive it tends to be—which is why some people deliberately shop for diamonds just under the whole-number mark, like a 0.9-carat instead of a 1-carat. You get nearly the same size and appearance but at a lower price point.

The Diamond Supply Reality in 2026

Here’s something important if you’re thinking about selling or buying: diamond supply is tightening. Global diamond production was forecast to reach only about 105 million carats in 2026, down dramatically from over 150 million carats just nine years ago. That tightening supply means the diamonds you own are becoming more valuable over time, not less.

If you inherited diamonds or have diamond jewelry sitting in a drawer, now is actually a good time to get them professionally evaluated. Getting your diamonds appraised lets you know exactly what you have and what it’s worth in today’s market.

Lab-Grown Diamonds: A Modern Alternative

You should also know that lab-grown diamonds are becoming increasingly popular. They’re chemically identical to mined diamonds, weigh the same in carats, and cost significantly less. They’re also more eco-friendly and ethically sourced, which matters to a lot of people.

If you’re selling a mined diamond, lab-grown alternatives might affect your pricing. But if you’re buying, lab-grown options give you more carat weight for your budget. The carat weight measurement system is exactly the same for both types of diamonds.

Colored Diamonds and Carat Weight

In 2026, there’s a real trend toward colored diamonds. Champagne, Sunlit White, and warm Honey tones (sometimes called Desert diamonds) are gaining popularity. These warmer tones appeal to people who want something unique while keeping that classic elegance.

Colored diamonds are priced differently than colorless diamonds. A 1-carat champagne diamond, for example, typically costs less than a 1-carat colorless diamond of comparable clarity and cut. But the market for colored diamonds is growing, so if you own one, get it evaluated by someone who understands specialty stones. This is exactly the kind of expert consultation you get when you work with Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds, where specialists understand every type of diamond and market trend.

Explore Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds →

Buying vs. Selling: Carat Weight Matters Differently

When you’re buying a diamond, carat weight is just one piece of the puzzle. You need to balance it with the other three Cs based on what matters to you and your budget. Choosing an oval diamond ring, for example, requires understanding how that specific shape displays carat weight visually.

When you’re selling, carat weight is crucial because it’s the first number buyers (and appraisers) look at. A 2-carat diamond gets more attention and usually commands a higher total price than a 1-carat diamond, even if that 1-carat diamond is flawless. If you’re selling estate jewelry, inherited diamonds, or just diamonds you no longer wear, getting an accurate carat weight from a certified gemologist is step one.

How to Know Your Diamond’s Carat Weight

The best way to know your diamond’s exact carat weight is through a gemological report. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the most trusted authority for diamond grading and certification. The GIA provides detailed grading reports that include carat weight, clarity, color, cut, and fluorescence.

If your diamond came with a GIA certificate or similar documentation, that’s your definitive source. If not, a professional gemologist can weigh it for you using precision scales and estimate carat weight based on dimensions and density.

Don’t rely on guesses or casual estimates. When you’re dealing with something valuable, accuracy matters. That’s why expert evaluation is so important—whether you’re selling or just curious about what you own.

Getting Your Diamonds Evaluated

If you have diamonds you’re thinking about selling—whether they’re from an engagement ring you no longer wear, inherited jewelry, or estate pieces—carat weight is the starting point for any evaluation. You’ll also need to know the clarity, color, and cut, but carat gets the conversation started.

When you bring your diamonds to a professional buyer, expect a detailed evaluation that covers all four Cs. The buyer should explain their offer clearly and answer your questions honestly. You deserve transparency about what your diamonds are worth and why. That’s the standard at Cash 4 Gold & Diamonds, where you get expert evaluations, fair market offers, and same-day payment with zero pressure.

What’s the difference between carat weight and karat (the gold measurement)?

These are completely different things. Carat (with a “c”) measures the weight of diamonds and gemstones. One carat equals 0.2 grams. Karat (with a “k”) measures the purity of gold. 24-karat gold is pure gold, while 14-karat or 10-karat gold contains other metals mixed in. Don’t confuse them—they’re measuring different properties of different materials.

Does a higher carat weight always mean a better diamond?

Not necessarily. A 2-carat diamond with poor clarity and a dull cut is worth less than a 1-carat diamond with excellent clarity and a brilliant cut. Carat weight is important, but it’s only one of the four Cs. The other three—clarity, color, and cut—matter just as much for overall quality and value.

How much is my diamond worth per carat?

That depends on the clarity, color, and cut. A premium 1-carat diamond might be worth $3,000 to $6,000 or more per carat, depending on those factors. A lower-grade 1-carat diamond might be worth $1,000 to $2,000 per carat. The only way to know your diamond’s actual value is through a professional appraisal by someone who knows the market.

Can I sell a diamond without a GIA certificate?

Yes, you can, but having a GIA certificate makes the sale easier and often brings a better price. Without certification, a buyer has to evaluate the diamond themselves, which takes time and involves more trust factors. If your diamond is valuable, investing in a GIA certification before you sell can actually pay for itself through a better offer.