Diamonds
The first steps you should take in considering a diamond is understanding the concept of the Four C's: cut, carat weight, clarity and color. By understanding this, you will be able to choose the best suited diamond for you.
- Cut When most people think of the cut of a diamond, they think of mainly the shape. You are partially correct. While cut does refer to the shape, it also refers to the proportions of how the diamond is actually cut. Diamonds are cut inot many different shapes, reflecting not only popular taste but the proportions and quality of the rough diamond. A diamonds overall proportions, as well as the size and placement of its many reflective surfaces or facets play a large part in the cut. The consistency and balance of these can greatly affect how the stone captures light and reflects it back to the eye.
- Carat Most people are most familar with the size of a diamond having the most to do with its actual worth, which is true. The size of a diamond is measured, not by its dimentions, but by weight. One carat, the traditional unit of measurement for diamonds, is equal to approximately 0.2 grams. You may also hear the weight of a diamond referred to in points. A point is equal to 1/100 of a carat: therefore, a 75-point diamond equals a 0.75 carat. Diamonds of equal weight may appear slightly different in size, depending on their depth and proportions.
- Clarity A diamond's clarity is measured by the existence, or absence, of visable flaws. Tiny surface blemishes or internal inclusions--even those seen only under magnification with a 10x jewelers loupe-- can alter the brillance of the diamond and thus, affect its value. Clarity levels, as shown below, begin with Flawless (FL & IF), all the way to Included, (I1, 2 & 3).
- Color Diamonds can cover the entire spectrum of colors. They range from having a perceptible yellow or brownish tint up to those rare diamonds that are described as colorless. Colorless diamonds allow the most reflection of light and are therefore the most desirable.
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| D |
3.0 |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
6.9 |
7.4 |
7.8 |
8.2 |
8.8 |
9.4 |
| H |
1.8 |
2.5 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
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Internally Flawless IF
Free from internal blemishes visible under 10x magnification
(small external details tolerated) |
Very Very Slightly included VVS
Inclusions and/or external blemishes very difficult to locate under 10x magnification |
Very Slightly included VS
Inclusions and external blemishes difficult to locate under 10x magnification |
Slightly included SI
Inclusions and external blemishes easy to locate under 10x magnification |
Included I
Medium or large inclusions and/or external blemishes which are usually visible with the naked eye under favorable lighting conditions. |
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D-E-F
Colorless |
G-H-I-J
Near colorless |
K-L-M
Faint tint |
N-O-P-Q-R
Light tint,
tint is somewhat
visible to naked eye |
S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
Tinted,
Usually yellow to a
light shade of brown,
shade clearly visible to the
naked eye |
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