Diamonds

Diamonds and Gemological Information:

Diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using a very specific grading criteria developed by the GIA and administered by them and other important Gemological Authorities around the world. Four of these criteria are critical to understand when making a diamond purchase or investment.

Known as the 'Four C’s' these criteria are: color, cut, clarity and carat (weight) and we will discuss these in more detail in further articles. What we have listed below is simply a brief introduction so check the rest of this article below...

Color: is the result of the composition of a diamond and it does not change. When a jeweler is describing the color of a diamond they are referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through.

• Colorless diamonds are preferred for their sparkle and LACK OF COLOR.

Cut: refers to a diamonds reflective quality and can also be considered to be the SHAPE as well as the Cut. Most diamonds are cut with 58 facets and this is known as the Brilliant cut and it doesn't matter about the SHAPE of the Gemstone. You can have a Pear shape or Oval and even a Heart shape, and they would all be considered to be a Brilliant Cut if they meet the 58 facet criteria.

The brilliance of diamonds is heavily dependent on the cut. The different angles and the finish of a diamond determine its ability to reflect light and cause its brilliance and fire. Remember that the cut of a diamond can have an impact on its durability as well as its beauty.

Some cutting faults can make a diamond prone to breakage. A diamond that is cut too thin can also cause light to leak out of the back and the diamond will lose some of the sparkle and appear not to shine. So, as you can see the Cut is probably the most important of the Four C’s.

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Clarity: is a classification on the inner flaws or inclusions which occur in most diamonds. The number and size of these inclusions determine what is referred to as the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance and therefore are rarer and highly priced.

To be considered 'flawless', a diamond must have no surface or internal imperfections visible upon being viewed by a skilled diamond grader using 10 power magnifications.

Carat: is the unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A carat is divided into 100 segments called points. 150 points would equal one and a half carats.

When you go to the store to make that all important diamond purchase, do not be shy! Ask questions, get the answers needed to make an informed purchase.

When shopping for diamonds the above brief introduction should enable you to make an informed selection. Knowing the 'four C’s' allows you to comparison shop and purchase the best diamond at a fair price. But, before making a purchase, shop around and decide what shapes and styles really appeal to you.

Diamonds are a lifetime treasure so it is always preferable to purchase something you like and of a traditional cut and style. Odd or Unusual Diamonds don't always last the fashion fads for very long, so it is worth taking just that little bit of extra care before buying your diamonds.

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