| At some point of time, you may be interested | | | | blemishes on the outsideVVS1, VVS2: have very |
| in buying diamonds. Before you throw your | | | | very small inclusions. VVS1 inclusions can |
| life savings into the stone, please do your | | | | only be seen through the pavilion. VVS2 |
| homework and know a little bit about the | | | | inclusions are more visible.VS1, VS2: have |
| basic 4 c's of diamond before getting that | | | | very small inclusions. VS1 inclusions are |
| cheque book out.4C's of Diamond | | | | harder to see than VS2.SI1, SI2, SI3: have |
| QualityDiamonds are graded by four | | | | small inclusionsI1, I2, I3: have inclusions |
| characteristics: cut, carat (weight), | | | | visible to the naked eye* Color: Diamond |
| clarity, and color. All four of these | | | | colors generally range from D - X for white |
| properties determine how much a diamond is | | | | and yellow diamonds. D is the whitest. Around |
| worth.* Cut - What is the proportion of the | | | | S they become "Fancy" yellow Diamonds. One |
| diamond? Round brilliant diamonds are | | | | can also find green, pink, red, blue and |
| commonly cut with 58 facets. The better | | | | brown diamonds - though these are usually |
| proportioned these facets are on the diamond, | | | | irradiated.Be certain to ask: Do you |
| the more light will be reflected back to the | | | | guarantee the color and clarity of your |
| viewer's eye. This is extremely important. | | | | stones? Many states allow dealers to be off |
| When cut properly, the diamond will sparkle | | | | by one color and/or one clarity.The price per |
| more. Diamond cuts are measured by the table | | | | carat does not increase smoothly with |
| percentage, so always ask for it. A good | | | | increasing size. Instead, there are sharp |
| table percentage is between 55-60%. Cut also | | | | jumps around milestone carat weights, as |
| refers to the shape such as: round, pear, and | | | | demand is much higher for diamonds weighing |
| oval. | | | | just more than a milestone than for those |
| | | | weighing just less. As an example, a 0.95 |
| If you are having a diamond mounted, write | | | | carat diamond may have a significantly lower |
| down the measurements of your stone. | | | | price per carat than a comparable 1.05 carat |
| Measurements never change. Measure the stone | | | | diamond, because of differences in demand. |
| after it is mounted and verify that it | | | | All else being equal, the value of a diamond |
| matches the appraisal and/or certificate.* | | | | increases exponentially in relation to carat |
| Carat - How big is the diamond? Larger | | | | weight, since larger diamonds are both rarer |
| diamonds often cost more per carat due to | | | | and more desirable for use as |
| their size. There are 100 points to a carat. | | | | gemstones.Therefore if you are to invest in a |
| Hence a 50 point diamond is 1/2 a carat. | | | | diamond try and get one at 1/2 carat or even |
| (There are 5 carats to a gram.) Always get | | | | better 1 carat. |
| the actual point size of a diamond rather | | | | |
| than a fractional weight. Sometimes jewelers | | | | With a GIA certificate that won't be |
| will try to sell a .90 diamond as a 1 carat | | | | wrong.Now go ahead and get that stone!Ally |
| diamond. A .90 diamond should be | | | | Too is the owner of |
| substantially less expensive.* Clarity - How | | | | |
| clear is the stone? Clarity ranges from | | | | |
| flawless (perfect) to I (included). Here is a | | | | |
| chart:Flawless: perfect inside and | | | | Feel free to check for more information and |
| outInternally Flawless: may have minor | | | | resources about diamonds. |