What You Need To Know When Buying a Diamond!

4 C's of Diamonds:

Color:

Many experts name color as the number one consideration in choosing a diamond. A diamond’s color is graded on an alphabetical scale from D-Z, with D being absolutely colorless and Z being light yellow. Beyond “Z”, a diamond is considered to be an exotic or “Fancy” color (diamonds occur in every color of the rainbow).

DIAMOND COLOR SCALE


Since color differences can be so subtle, they are impossible to determine by the untrained eye. To grade a diamond, gemologists often place it on a white background next to another diamond that has been previously graded. If all other factors are equal, the less color in a diamond or the higher the color rating, the more valuable a diamond becomes. Likewise, as the amount of color increases, the price of a diamond decreases (though this does not necessarily reduce the beauty of a diamond).

Clarity:
All diamonds have identifying characteristics, but most are invisible to the naked eye. To view a diamond, experts use a 10x magnification loupe, which allows them to see the appearance of tiny crystals, feathers, or clouds. These natural phenomena are called “inclusions”. Inclusions are also referred to as internal characteristics of the stone. External characteristics of a stone are referred to as “blemishes”. Blemishes can occur when a diamond is being cut, polished, or set into a mounting. A diamond’s clarity is a measurement of how flawless the stone is. The more flaws a stone may possess, the lower the value and visa versa.

DIAMOND CLARITY SCALE

Carat:
Carat is often confused with size even though it is a measure of weight. The cut of a diamond can often make it appear larger or smaller than its actual weight. Jewelers often refer to the carat weight of diamonds in terms of points. There are 100 points to a carat (similar to 100 pennies to a dollar). If a jeweler says a stone weighs 25 points, he or she means it weighs 25/100 of a carat, or ¼ carat.



Since larger diamonds are more rare than smaller diamonds, the value rises exponentially with carat weight.

Cut:
Cut actually refers to two aspects of a diamond. The first is its shape (round, marquise, etc) the second is how well the cutting has been executed.



Diameter: The width of the diamond as measured through the girdle.
Table: The largest facet of a gemstone.
Crown: The top portion of a diamond extending from the girdle to the table.
Girdle: The intersection of the crown and pavilion which defines the perimeter of the diamond.
Pavilion: The bottom portion of a diamond, extending from the girdle to the culet.
Culet: The facet at the tip of a gemstone. The preferred culet is not visible with the unaided eye (graded "none" or "small").
Depth: The height of a gemstone measured from the culet to the table.



A diamond's cut will most certainly influence its fire (the lovely rainbow colors that flash from within) and brilliance (the liveliness and sparkle), as well as its perceived size and even, to some degree its apparent color. Different cuts reflect light in different angles. A diamond must be cut in a geometrically precise manner to maximize its brilliance.

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