When it comes to jewelry shopping – especially for diamonds – you probably have noticed the acronym CTW as part of your ring’s information. CTW and CTTW are two acronyms that are used interchangeably both meaning the same thing: carat total weight.
Many people misunderstand what CTTW versus carat means with how the calculation works. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you better understand what CTTW is and why it’s important to know when shopping for diamond jewelry.
Definition of CTW and CTTW
As we’ve already mentioned, CTW and CTTW are both defined as the total carat weight of all diamonds in a single piece of jewelry. But, they differ in what’s included within the measurement.
For example, CTW refers to the total carat weight of all diamonds in a single piece of jewelry regardless of size or gemstone placement. CTTW is usually calculated for diamond jewelry that contains a larger gemstone, like an engagement ring or bigger center gemstone. CTTW calculates the total carat weight of the center stone and any surrounding diamonds within the piece.
The Importance of CTW and CTTW in Jewelry
Knowing and understanding a jewelry’s CTW is vitally important when evaluating the piece’s value. Here are a few ways total carat weight can significantly impact a piece of jewelry.
Appearance
Usually the higher carat weight a piece of jewelry has, the larger and bolder the piece looks. Smaller carat weights can still have a luxurious appearance, but it might not be as significant as those with a higher carat weight.
Cost
As you would expect, the higher the total carat weight is of a piece, the higher the cost will be. That’s because jewelry with higher carat weights is often more valuable and rarer than those with a lower weight.
Value
CTW also plays a significant role in the value of a piece, but it gets tricky understanding how value is determined. When it comes to diamonds, larger stones are usually deemed more valuable than smaller ones even if they come out to the same carat weight.
For instance, a diamond ring with one large diamond that has a total carat weight of 1 is more valuable than a diamond ring with ten small diamonds that add up to 1 total carat weight.
That’s because the single diamond is more rare and larger in size than the smaller diamonds combined, so the one-diamond ring will have a higher value (and cost) than ten-diamond ring.
This information can be misleading to read, especially when it comes to knowing if your piece’s CTW includes the weight of multiple stones. Ferko’s Fine Jewelry is always transparent with their CTW information, so you can always see how the total carat weight of your selection is calculated between all gemstones.
How is CTTW Different from Carat?
There’s always one special word buyers focus on when it comes to shopping for diamond jewelry: carat. While CTTW factors in carat size, it doesn’t just refer to the carat size of a single diamond.
While shopping, remember that CTTW is the total carat count of all diamonds within a single jewelry piece. For instance, if a ring you’re thinking of purchasing has five diamonds or a large diamond in the center with diamonds cushioning the sides, like this one, the CTTW will include carat weight for all diamonds. Not one single diamond.
Is CTTW Only for Diamonds?
In short, yes, CTTW is only used for diamonds and not other gemstones like sapphires, rubies, or emeralds. If you’re shopping for an engagement ring or special occasion jewelry, pieces like this one that features a large center sapphire cushioned on the side by diamonds will only factor in the two diamonds for the CTW. The sapphire’s carat weight will not be factored in.
Shop For Diamonds In Confidence
Now that you know the difference between CTW and CTTW and what they mean, you can shop for diamond jewelry in confidence! If you already have an idea of what carat weight you’re shopping for, Ferko’s Fine Jewelry has diamond rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings ready to elevate your everyday looks or be part of your special occasions.
Like we mentioned earlier in this guide, our diamond jewelry comes with transparent information for each piece’s CTW. You can read this information carefully to see how the total carat weight was determined between all stones in your fine piece of jewelry.