| A diamond's price is directly related to the | | | | and Cut grading for each Carat weight size the |
| combination of the five C's. Diamond prices are | | | | price of each stone is determined through the use |
| determined first by adding the cost of the rough | | | | of complicated formulas, through tables as well as |
| diamond, the cost of cutting the diamond, and all | | | | through reliance on expertise and experience. |
| other costs necessary to turn the rough diamond | | | | Â Cut of Diamond |
| into a marketable diamond. Depending on the | | | | Cut and proportions play an important role since |
| importance of the diamond, an independent | | | | they make a lower quality diamond look good to |
| company may be called into certify the grade of | | | | the eye and they sharply reduces the price of |
| the diamond based on color, cut, clarity carat and | | | | high investment quality diamonds. |
| cost. | | | | Cut is also the characteristic that is most |
| Â Carat of Diamond | | | | neglected by diamond salespeople in the effort of |
| The same principle applies at the dividing line for 2 | | | | making a sale. If the diamond is not well cut a |
| and 3 carat diamonds etc.-as the price increases in | | | | fact which reduces the price of the diamond, the |
| leaps with each complete and full carat unit. Price | | | | seller will emphasize the lower price rather than |
| jumps for full and numerically "round" "stages" are | | | | discuss the improper proportions. |
| also applied to diamonds of lesser weights, i.e., a | | | | Notice, however, that certain tolerances apply and |
| 50 points diamond vs. a 49 points diamond is | | | | the diamond with good overall cut is definitely |
| more valuable weight per weight by being a "full" 1 | | | | acceptable. |
| 2 carat (there are 100 'points' in one carat. Thus, | | | | Â Clarity of Diamond |
| e.g., 0.50 or, 1/2 carat is equal to 50 points). | | | | Clarity is a term used to describe the absence or |
| Â Color of Diamond | | | | presence of flaws inside or on the surface of a |
| Color also plays an important role in determining a | | | | diamond or other gemstone. A perfect stone with |
| diamonds value. The price of a diamond varies | | | | perfect clarity, or clearness, is rare, and most |
| quite sharply with color. As a rough guide, | | | | flaws that do exist in jewelry grade diamonds |
| depending on market conditions, if a diamond with | | | | cannot be seen without looking at the gems |
| certain characteristics and weight of color "H" | | | | through a jeweler's magnifying loupe |
| were worth 100 units of currency another with | | | | Â Cost of Diamond |
| the same characteristics but of color "F" (two | | | | The cost of buying diamonds can vary |
| color levels higher) would be worth approximately | | | | considerably. |
| 130 units, while one with color "J" (two color levels | | | | Of course the difficulty with buying diamonds |
| lower) would be worth 80. Moves in clarity grades | | | | online is the uncertainty that you will get what |
| will affect the price in a similar manner. | | | | you pay for, and how do you know you can trust |
| Â | | | | the seller or dealer? |
| As the combinations of clarity, cut and color | | | | It is important therefore that you educate |
| increases in "total score" -- their effect on price | | | | yourself very well with the various aspects of |
| becomes greater. However, due to the numerous | | | | diamonds that you need to make an informed |
| different possible combinations of Clarity, Color | | | | purchase. |