Diamond Buying Guide

The four Cs of diamond, color, clarity, cut andClarity enhanced diamonds
carat weight should be provided interest if youYou will find in the item description that several
buy any type of jewelry such as diamonddiamonds are treated to further improve the
earrings or diamond rings. The diamond's level ofclarity. Clarity-enhanced stones are identified by
quality is measured by these four features. Thethe diamond store in the item description of an
diamond is going to be considered beautiful and willindividual piece of jewelry. The process goes like
therefore cost a lot more if all four are rankedthis:
high.High-refractive-index glass substance in
Diamond color gradingmicroscopic amount is introduced into
Per tradition, diamonds are graded on lack ofsurface-reaching feathers to minimize their
color; hence, the very best diamonds arevisibility. On very thin crevices and fissures, this
practically clear. Actually, the grade in "white"treatment is best. The normal color of the
diamonds is soft hues of yellow, gray and brown.diamond is retained even with this process; hence,
What they apply to convey color is an alphabeticalit is still regarded as natural. Weight is not added
scale from D to Z. To have an idea of theinto the diamond in this process since only very
differences in diamond color grades, picture twosmall quantities of filler are utilized. When seeing
glasses of water - one clear, another thatthe diamond nearly parallel to the plane of the
contains a few drops of lemonade. Color diffusionfilled fracture, a clarity enhanced diamond can be
in diamonds is roughly represented in the followingidentified by a "flash effect". Against a dark
color chart:background, the flash effect seems orange or
D-F: Colorlessyellow and it usually looks blue against a bright
G-I: Almost without colorbackground. It is generally just the two colors and
J-K: Faint colordoes not consist of a complete spectrum of color.
L-R: Visible colorUnder a focused beam of intense light, this optical
S-Z: Obvious coloreffect is best observed with ten times
Fancy color diamonds are the ones whose colormagnification.
saturations go beyond Z, or have a completelyThe filler substance is steady under ordinary wear
different hue than brown, gray or yellow. Forsituations but may be damaged by high heat or
grading fancy colors, the amount and strength ofchemicals; this was determined by the
color are measured. Diamonds vary in color; theyGemological Institute of America (GIA) after
may be pink blue, purple, yellow, black or eachcomprehensive research. Before restoration task
color of the rainbow. White diamonds are oftenis completed, remove clarity-enhanced diamonds
less uncommon than fancy diamonds.to easily prevent damage.
Importance of diamond clarityImportance of diamond cut
The term clarity refers to the grade thatDiamond cut comprises proportion, shape,
demonstrates the defects and blemishes of thesymmetry and polish. Great importance is given
diamond. The stone with fewer imperfections andto a stone's shape and proportion when cutting
blemishes is considered more valuable. Brilliancethe stone to its finest appearance. The brightness
could be strongly influenced by the clarity of thereflected and refracted inside the stone causes its
stone. When there are blemishes in the diamond,shimmer and this light is influenced by the stone's
it can obstruct the light from reflecting inside theshape and proportion. The face-up appearance of
stone, which is the feature that gives dazzlingthe diamond greatly varies with respect to the
beauty to the diamond.depth or shallowness of the diamond's cut. The
As observed by a trained gemologist, theseentrance and exit of light in the facets of the
diamond clarity grades are listed from best tostone certifies its polish. The diamond's depth
least:percentages and length to width ratio can validate
FL (flawless): Inside and outside the stone, thereits symmetry. Among all these, the greatest
are no visible lesions or inclusions of any kind,option is the "ideal cut".
under 10-power magnification.Diamond carat information
IF (internally flawless): Under 10-powerThe weight of the diamond is assessed by its
magnification, some external or surface blemishescarat. When describing just one stone, it is
such as tiny scratch can be found on the stoneabbreviated "ct" or "CT". "Total diamond weight"
but it doesn't have internal inclusions.or "TDW" is put in when the jewelry is arranged
VVS-1 & 2 (very, very slightly included): Underwith multiple diamonds. To identify a 3-stone
10-power magnification, this stone has minutediamond anniversary ring, "1ct TDW" is used; for
inclusions that a trained gemologist hasa solitaire diamond engagement ring, it is "1ct".
considerable problem seeing.(Note: The measure of gold's purity is not carat,
VS-1 & 2 (very slightly included): This diamond hasbut is spelled "karat" with "k" as abbreviation. So,
mild inclusions which, under 10-power magnification,diamond jewelry may be a 1ct in a 22k setting.)
are somewhat difficult to see.Equating carat weight with the diamond's actual
SI-1 & 2 (slightly included): Inclusions of thissize is hard for most of us. A simple guide for
diamond are fairly easily noticed with 10-powerevaluating carat weight to millimeters is provided
magnification, but without magnification, arehere. In the example here, princess cut and round
extremely difficult for a gemologist to see.stones are used. Significant versions from these
SI-3 (slightly included): These are diamonds thatsample dimensions will be determined by the
fall on the border between SI-2 and I-1.differences in the diamond shape, depth and cut
I-1, 2 & 3 (included): Inclusions in this diamond areof a specific stone.
apparent without magnification.