TW (Total Weight) simply means the combined carat weight of a particular gemstone type used in rings, earrings, bracelets, or any piece of jewelry.
The Meaning Behind TW in Jewelry
TW is an abbreviation for Total Weight. The term has to do with the total weight of every gemstone on a piece of jewelry, and it applies to diamonds and any other gemstone measured in carats. Jewelers do not use TW to measure the weight of a single stone; instead, it refers to the total weight of multiple stones on a piece of jewelry.
For example, if you walk into a jewelry shop and see a ring with a diamond of 1 carat and two smaller ones that are 0.5 ct each, the piece will have a total weight of 2 carats.
Understanding what TW means helps in accurate comparison of the different sizes and weights of the jewelry. With all factors being equal, the higher the TW of diamonds used on a jewelry piece, the more expensive it will be compared to the ones with lower TW.
For a jewelry piece with a diamond set, DTW (diamond total weight) and CTW (carat total weight) are similar terms used to tell the total weight of diamonds on a piece. On a ring, you will find an inscription of the TW where the metal band meets the diamond; for some, it’s usually on the ring’s exterior.
Things to Note About TW
The concept of measuring the total weight of the gemstones on a piece of jewelry is simple. However, there are some things to note about the TW system.
1. TW Cannot Determine the Exact Price of a Diamond Piece
While TW can sometimes help you estimate a piece’s price, it is hardly ever an accurate measurement. For instance, having an identical ring with the same TW number doesn’t imply the prices will be the same.
There are two reasons why TW cannot determine the price of a diamond piece. Firstly, carat size is only one of several factors determining a diamond’s price. Therefore, a diamond with a TW of 4 might be less expensive than a diamond whose TW is 2.
Also, large diamonds are not readily available like small ones; as a result, they cost more, even when both diamonds are of the same quality. By implication, a piece whose TW consists of large stones will cost more than one consisting of smaller diamonds. For example, a ring with five small stones and a one-carat center stone will cost less than a ring with a one-carat diamond in the center and two larger accent stones.
2. TW Indicates the Weight of Both Earring Studs
Earrings are sold as a pair, and the TW is a combined carat weight of both diamond studs. Since both earrings are usually the same size, you need to divide the TW by two to get the weight of each earring. For example, having 2 TW studs implies that each earring will be 1 carat, giving a total of 2 TW.
3. TW is Often An Approximate or Range
It is also essential to know that TW is often not an exact figure; instead, it is an approximation or a range. However, to prevent defrauding buyers, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a specified range that jewelers must stay within.
4. TW Refers to One Type of Gemstone
Some jewelry pieces are a mixture of diamonds and other gems such as pearl, sapphire, or emerald. The manufacturers would have to indicate the weight of the diamond separate from the other gemstones to avoid misleading the buyer.TW never refers to more than one type of gemstone at once; therefore, you might see it more than once in the jewelry description.
For instance, you might see a TW of diamonds and a TW of rubies on a ring with multiple diamonds and rubies. Any attempt to make bring the total of both stones together is dubious. The manufacturer must also be clear about what stone each TW refers to so the buyer knows what they’re paying for.
What are T.W Composite Diamonds?
Composite diamonds are little diamonds that have been combined to resemble larger diamonds. Some jewelry designers skillfully blend these stones to bring out each stone’s brilliance and beauty. Some other jewelers will tightly compress the stones together to simulate the appearance of a single diamond.
Composite diamonds frequently come in the form of a triplet (three fused diamonds) or a doublet (two fused diamonds). However, many composite diamond rings have four or more stones, either of the same size or various sizes. It can be challenging to differentiate a composite diamond ring from traditional ones with a single center stone if correctly done.
Manufacturers are not supposed to write the weight of composite diamonds like they would do a single stone. Therefore, instead of carat weight, they have to specify the total weight of every stone used to make the composite diamond. Hence when buying diamond jewelry, you would likely see the abbreviations C.T (Carat), T.W (Total Weight), and Composite Diamond.
Are TW Diamonds Real?
Yes, TW diamonds are real. It can be confusing when you see the carat weight of the stones on jewelry expressed in TW instead of carat weight. However, any jewelry piece with TW must measure the total weight of real diamonds the manufacturer used to make the piece.
However, sometimes the type of diamond used might be artificial, but it must not be something like CZ (cubic zirconia) or moissanite. You just have to ensure that you do not confuse the total weight of the jewelry with the carat weight.
Differences Between CW and TW
People mistake CW (Carat Weight) and TW (Total Weight) to be the same, but they’re different. CW is the weight of a single diamond stone, while TW is used to measure the sum of individual diamonds present on a jewelry piece. The CW is measured in carats and is more valuable than the TW diamond; however, none of these weights depicts the sizes of a diamond.
How Much Is 1 ct TW Worth?
While it is easier to tell the price of a carat diamond, estimating the worth of a one ct TW diamond is less straightforward. You can get a low-quality one ct TW piece for around $1,800, while top-drawer pieces can be as high as $12,000. Below are some things that can influence the price of the one ct TW diamond in either direction.
1. Clarity
Diamonds, like all naturally-formed substances, are not perfect in their outlook. If you look at a diamond with proper magnification, you’ll find some little lines and cracks within the stone. These lines are a result of the formation process of the diamond, and they’re called inclusions.
The more included a diamond is, the less it’ll be worth. If your 1 carat TW diamond consists of more included diamonds, the collection of stones will cost less.
2. Color
Apart from scarce colors such as red and blue diamonds, the standard rule is that the more transparent a diamond, the greater its worth. Diamonds with a more yellowish hue will cost less than totally transparent diamonds. Therefore, if your 1 carat TW diamond consists of diamonds with low clarity, it’ll cost less and vice versa.
3. Cut
Cut is one of the 4C’s that determine the worth of a single diamond. It is the only one of the 4C’s that a jeweler can determine, as nature gives the stone its clarity, color, and carat. A well-cut diamond allows for better passage of light through the stone, which results in the much-coveted “fire” of the diamond.
Therefore, if your 1 carat TW diamond consists of diamonds with high-quality cuts, it’ll cost more than poorly-cut stones.
4. Stone Sizes
There are several ways your diamond can get to 1 carat TW. The general rule is that the more stones it takes for a piece to total 1 carat TW, the less its value should be. So, all things being equal, two 0.5-carat diamonds would cost less than five 0.2-carat diamonds, even if they both equal 1 carat TW.
5. Setting
The diamond’s value may be increased or decreased depending on the setting’s quality. Frequently, a finely constructed piece with elaborate features will cost more than a straightforward metal band. Sometimes, jewelers will spread the stones on a ring to make it look like it has more stones, thereby increasing its appeal to buyers.
In summary, always know that the sum of its parts determines the worth of a 1 carat TW diamond. Therefore, you must know the quality of each stone in the collection.
Read More: Types of Diamonds by Cut and Sizes