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