Selecting Diamonds

Diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using
grading criteria. 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.

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.Cut
refers to a diamonds reflective quality. Most diamonds are cut
with 58 facets. 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.
During the formation process, inner flaws, or inclusions 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. Shopping for certified diamonds
enables 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. Enjoy your diamond for
years to come!