Shopping for diamonds comes with its own language. CT, CTTW and TW might look similar, but each one represents a different way of expressing a diamond’s weight. Understanding these labels helps ensure you’re getting the sparkle, and the size, you expect. Let’s break down what each of these terms means and how they affect the jewelry you buy.
What Does Diamond CT Mean?
When you see CT online or on a jewelry label, it’s simply short for carat: the standard unit to measure gemstone weight. To give you an idea of scale, 1 carat is just 0.2 grams.
When a piece of jewelry lists CT, it’s referring to the weight of one individual diamond. So if a ring is described as having a “1 ct diamond,” that means one single stone weighs 1 carat, not a collection of stones adding up to that weight.
One thing to keep in mind: carat weight does influence how large a diamond looks, but it’s not the whole picture. Two diamonds can weigh the exact same amount yet look different in size depending on how they’re cut. A well-cut diamond can appear bigger and brighter than a poorly cut one, even if both are 1 ct.
What Does Diamond CTTW Mean?
CTTW stands for carat total weight, and it’s a way of showing the combined weight of all the diamonds in a piece of jewelry.
For example, let’s say you’re looking at a halo engagement ring listed as 1 CTTW. The center diamond might weigh 0.70 ct, while the smaller accent stones around it add up to 0.30 ct. Together, they total 1.00 CTTW. So even though the ring says “1 carat,” no single diamond actually weighs 1 carat—it’s all the stones combined.
CTTW is most commonly used for pieces with multiple stones, like:
- Halo rings
- Pavé or micro-pavé settings
- Earrings with multiple stones
- Tennis bracelets
- Cluster jewelry
What Does Diamond TW Mean?
TW stands for total weight, and in jewelry, it’s essentially the same concept as CTTW. It tells you the combined weight of all the diamonds in a piece. Some retailers might use one or the other, but TW and CTTW are interchangeable.
When shopping for diamonds, it’s easy to get tripped up by all the abbreviations and numbers. Here are a few common points of confusion and how to navigate them.
- Assuming CTTW refers to one stone: A ring listed as 1 CTTW might actually have a smaller center stone than you expect. Always check the size of the center diamond separately.
- Thinking TW means per stone: For earrings, TW is the combined weight of both stones, unless the listing says otherwise.
- Confusing carat weight with physical size: Remember, carat measures weight, not diameter.
When it comes to buying diamond jewelry, it helps to know what to pay attention to so your jewelry shines the way it should.
- When buying an engagement ring, focus on CT for the center stone and use CTTW to get a sense of the overall sparkle.
- When buying earrings or bracelets, total weight (CTTW/TW) gives a better idea of the piece’s overall impact.
- When comparing different pieces, always look beyond numbers to quality. Cut, color and clarity matter just as much as weight.
