DIAMONDS 101
THE FOUR C's
Understand the 4Cs of Diamond Quality, this basic knowledge will not only unlock the mystery of a diamond’s quality, it will help you understand a diamond’s value and price.
1. Diamond Color: A diamond’s Color grade refers to the presence or lack of tint in the diamond. Generally referring to a yellow tint. The less color in the stone, the more desirable and valuable it is. Some of these differences are not visible to the naked eye, but directly impact the overall quality and price of the stone. Scroll down to 'Diamond Color Chart' for a closer look.
2. Diamond Clarity: A diamond’s Clarity grade is based on how clean the diamond is of inclusions and blemished. It refers to the number, size, and location of the imperfections that naturally occur, and how easy they are to see. Grades run from ‘Flawless,’ with virtually no imperfections, to ‘Included,’ which contain a significant number of imperfections. Scroll down to 'Diamond Clarity Chart' for a closer look.
3. Diamond Cut: The Cut is comprised of several measurements of a diamond’s proportions, arrangement and alignment of the facets, and quality of the polish, which all determine how the facets interact with light. Grades range from ‘Excellent’ to ‘Poor.’ Diamond shapes
4. Diamond Carat: The weight of the diamond. Generally, the higher the carat weight, the more expensive the stone. Two diamonds of equal carat weight, however, can have very different quality and price when the other three Cs are considered.
With these fundamentals in mind, remember that a diamond is a precious whole, and should be looked at in totality. The four main qualities of a diamond all play an important role in how the diamond looks.
Diamond Color Chart
Diamond Clarity Chart
Diamond Shapes
The term “diamond shape” refers the the geometric characteristics of a diamond.
Most of the info is from GIA website.
