Diamond buying guide

 
The four C’s of Diamonds – Diamond Cut, Diamond Clarity, Diamond Color, Carat weight. This is what defines the Diamond Grade. Other things to look at are the Diamond shape and Certification, and later on, Diamond Care.

Diamond Cut

The diamond cut is a reference to the diamond's reflective qualities, not the shape of the diamond. This is a common misconception.

Ideal	Shallow	Deep

The quality of the cut makes a difference in how a diamond looks, it’s what makes the diamond sparkle, diamond cut is perhaps the most important of the four C’s.

Because cut is so important, several grading methods have been developed to help consumers determine the cut of a particular diamond. In general, these grades are from those with the highest brilliance which are the most expencive to the more resonably priced less ‘brilliant’ diamond

Cut Grades: Ideal, Premium, Very Good, Good, Fair & Poor.

Diamond Clarity

When people refer to diamond clarity they are referring to the presence or absence of things called inclusions and blemishes. "Inclusions" are tiny defects within the stone itself, while "blemishes" refer to flaws on the stone.

Inclusions may be mineral defects such as crystals of another material and tiny defects such as cracks which an give the diamond a cloudy effect. Large clouds may affect the diamonds ability to scatter light and therefore its visual beauty, while large cracks close to the surface may reduce the diamonds resistance to cracking or chipping. It should be noted that MOST diamonds contain inclusions and flaws.

Diamond clarity is graded on the following scale. For the purpose of grading all blemishes are refered to as inclusions.

F Flawless	IF Internally Flawless	VVS1, VVS2 Very very slightly included	VS1, VS2 Very slightly included	SL1, SL2 Slightly included	L1, L2, L3 Included

F - These diamonds are totally flawless they have No inclusions or blemishes. A flawless diamond is extremely rare.

IF - These diamonds have no internal flaws but may have some surface blemishes. These are still very rare.

VVS1, VVS2 –These diamonds contain some very very slight inclusions which are not visible to the naked eye, but may be seen under 10x only by a trained jeweller or gemologist.

VS1, VS2 - These diamonds contain some very slight inclusions which are not visible to the naked eye, but may be seen under 10x maginification with difficulty.

SI1, SI2 - These diamonds contain some slight inclusions which are not visible to the naked eye, but may be seen more easily under 10x maginification.

None of the above inclusions can be seen by the naked eye. The inclusions will lower the diamond clarity grade, but will only affect the VALUE of the diamond while the effect on the appearance of the diamond is negligible.

I1, I2, I3 - These diamonds have inclusions which are visible both under 10x magnification AND to the naked eye. Some people will not recommend purchasing diamonds of these grades.

Diamond Color

The formation of diamonds ensures that only very few are completely colorless, these rare diamonds therefore hold the greatest value. Diamonds with grades G - I are virtualy colorless to the naked eye.

D E F Colorless	G H I J Near Colorless	K L M Faint Yellow	N O P Q R Very Light Yellow	S T U V W X Y Z Light Yellow

Carat Weight

The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats, 1ct = 0.2 grams. Below is the apporx size of the diamond per carat.

0.05 Carat	0.10 Carat	0.15 Carat	0.20 Carat	0.25 Carat	0.55 Carat	0.75 Carat	1.00 Carat	1.50 Carat

0.05 Carat	0.10 Carat	0.15 Carat	0.20 Carat	0.25 Carat	0.55 Carat	0.75 Carat	1.00 Carat

Diamond Shapes

Round	Princess	Emerald	Asscher	Marquise	Oval	Radient	Pear	Heart	Cushion

Diamond Certificates

A diamond certificate will detail the cut, color, clarity, shape, and weight the diamond should possess. It is issued by an independent body and can be used as proof that the diamond you are paying for is in fact the diamond you are receiving. The certificates are issued by bodies such as the Gemological Institute of America .