DIAMOND EDUCATION
First of all, CONGRATS! We’re so excited for you!
Whether you’re ready to shop, have a family stone you’d like to utilize or just need a lay of the land, we’re here to help, any way we can.
If you’re thinking diamonds, here’s a start on the basics:
SHAPE
The shape or combination of shapes incorporated into a ring can lend to its uniqueness and personality!
The Four C’s- Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight
Defined by the Gemological Institute of America, diamonds are graded and then certified utilizing an industry standard. The Four C’s help us understand why we pay what we pay for diamonds. But the MOST important factor in choosing a diamond is how beautiful it is to you. Let your eyes do the work, and have fun!
CUT
The cut of a diamond primarily focuses on the quality of its proportions, symmetry, and polish.
Proportions = measurements and angles relative to each other
Symmetry = alignment of the facets (triangular “cuts”) relative to each other
Polish = smoothness of the outer surface
Diamonds are graded on a scale from Excellent to Poor (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor). The closer a diamond is to Excellent, the rarer it is.
COLOR
The “color” of a diamond focuses on the LACK of color it contains; the closer to colorless, the higher the value. Although, colored diamonds are becoming increasingly more popular and have a scale all to themselves.
CLARITY
Diamonds are created when carbon is exposed to extreme heat and pressure deep within the earth. This process can result in a variety of internal “inclusions” and external “blemishes.” These are graded based on the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these clarity characteristics.
The scale to grade these clarity characteristics goes from Flawless to Imperfect.
Diamonds are graded under 10x magnification. So a diamond that is “Slightly Included” may still have NO visible inclusions to the naked eye, giving it greater value.
CARAT WEIGHT
Diamonds are graded by their weight. The more a diamond weighs, the greater its value. Simple!
If you want to get technical, a carat is divisible by 100 points. If a diamond is 0.50ct, it may be referred to as 50 points. Diamonds over the 1 carat weight use carat and decimals. For example, a 1.25ct diamond would be “one point 25 carats.”
