When you're on the hunt for the perfect diamond engagement ring, the four C's—cut, color, clarity, and carat—are your essential guide. But among these, carat weight, often measured as CTTW (Carat Total Weight), deserves a closer look, especially when you're trying to understand the value and appearance of your ring. Understanding CTTW is crucial, as it can significantly influence the look of the ring and help you make an informed decision.

What is CTTW and How is it Different from Carat?

While carat measures the weight of a single diamond, CTTW (Carat Total Weight) refers to the combined weight of all the diamonds in a piece of jewelry. This is important to note if you’re considering a ring with more than one diamond. For example, in a multi-stone ring, CTTW is the sum of the weight of all diamonds used. So, if you have a ring with five smaller diamonds and one larger diamond, the CTTW would add up to the total carat weight of all the diamonds combined, not just the center stone.

What You Need to Understand About CTTW

1. CTTW Applies Only to Diamonds CTTW is used specifically to measure diamonds in a piece of jewelry. If you're eyeing a sapphire and diamond engagement ring, the sapphires won’t be included in the CTTW calculation—only the diamonds are factored in. Also, remember that CTTW applies to both natural and lab-grown diamonds, so it’s not an indicator of whether the diamonds are real or synthetic.

2. CTTW Doesn’t Determine Price Just because two rings have the same CTTW doesn’t mean they will have the same price. Larger diamonds are priced exponentially, not linearly, meaning that a ring with a 1-carat center stone and six smaller accent stones will typically cost much less than a ring with the same total carat weight but featuring two larger diamonds as accent stones. This is because larger diamonds are rarer and, therefore, more expensive per carat. Always consider the breakdown of the individual stones, not just the CTTW.

3. CTTW is the Total of Both Earrings When buying diamond earrings, keep in mind that the CTTW represents the total weight of both earrings combined. So, to find out the carat weight of each individual stone, divide the CTTW by two.

Have More Questions?

CTTW is an essential concept to understand when purchasing a diamond ring or jewelry piece. If you're unsure about the breakdown of the diamonds in a ring or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to ask for a detailed breakdown from the retailer