All About Diamonds
The 4 C's of Diamonds
The purer a diamond's color, the rarer it is. Diamonds are graded by color, starting at D and continuing through the alphabet. While many diamonds appear colorless, they may actually have subtle yellow or brown tones. Although still beautiful, they will be less rare and therefore less valuable.
Fancy Colored Diamonds in well defined colors that include red, pink, blue, green and canary yellow -- are highly prized and particularly rare.
Carat
A diamond's size is measured in carat weight. The larger a diamond, the more rare it is. Two diamonds of the same weight may be different sizes. This is because how a diamond is cut will affect the physical size of the stone. A shallow cut diamond will face up larger than a deep cut diamond.
- each carat is equal to 100 points.
- A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-point diamond or a 3/4 carat stone.
- Diamonds of equal size may vary widely in value and brilliance, depending on their qualities of clarity, cut, and color.
Clarity
Diamonds are graded for clarity under 10x loupe magnification.
- IF - Internally Flawless - Inclusions invisible under 10x.
- VVS1 & VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Included - Inclusions very very difficult to see at 10x.
- VS1 & VS2 - Very Slightly Included - Inclusions are very difficult to see at 10x.
- SI1, SI2 & SI3 - Slightly Included - Inclusions are visible under 10x.
- I1, I2 & I3 - Included - Inclusions are visible to the naked eye.
The purer a diamond, the greater it's clarity and the more brilliant it is.
Virtually all natural diamonds contain identifying characteristics, yet many are invisible to the naked eye. Under the scrutiny of a jeweler's 10x-magnifying loupe or microscope, natural phenomena -- called inclusions -- may be seen. These are nature's birthmarks, and they may look like tiny crystals, clouds, or feathers. The number, color, type, size and position of surface and internal inclusions affect a diamond's value.
Diamonds categorized as internally flawless reveal no such inclusions .Flawless stones are treasured for their rarity and beauty.
Diamonds with very, very small inclusions are graded as VVS1 or VVS2. The larger the inclusion, the lower the grade and the less rare the diamond. Inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye are graded I1, I2 or I3. Major inclusions can interfere with the path of light that travels through a diamond, diminishing its brilliance and sparkle and therefore its value.
Cut
A well cut or faceted diamond, regardless of its shape, scintillates with fire and light -- offering the greatest brilliance and value.
While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight and color, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release its fire, sparkle and beauty. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will reflect from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose light that spills through the side or bottom. As a result, poorly cut stones will be less brilliant and beautiful -- and certainly less valuable -- than well cut diamonds.