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Diamond Buying Tips






Diamond buying tips

When people ask which of the four C's "color, clarity, cut, carat weight" has the greatest impact on value, they need to understand it's a combination of these four factors which determine a diamonds value. The four C's are based on Rarity. A diamond that is graded D color is much more rare in nature than a stone that is graded G color. The diamond graded D color is much more valuable, yet the difference in appearance once mounted into a ring is minimal.

Diamond Carat Weight The size of a diamond isn't just how big it looks face up. Diamonds are expressed in metric carats. One metric carat is equal to .20 grams. A five carat diamond equals 1 gram. One carat is divided into 100 units referred to as points. Just like cents to a dollar. The most accurate measuring devise is a electric scale.
Diamond Color

In nature diamonds come in every color of the rainbow. Colors like Red, Blue, Orange are EXTREMELY rare. The normal color range for gem quality diamonds is yellow and brown. The most valuable in the normal color range will be described as colorless, NOT white. This grade is represented on the grading scale as D. Z Color refers to a stone that is yellow, or brown but not enough color to be considered "Fancy" or desirable. Certified Master stones are used in comparing the depth of color.
Diamond Clarity Clarity grading is a assessment of a diamonds inclusions and blemishes. Clarity grading is done at 10X magnification. The clarity scale is divided into 11 grades. The highest clarity grade is Flawless, meaning NO inclusions or blemished visible at 10X magnification. Clarity grading is based on the same principle as color grading. The higher the grade the less likely to occur in nature.
Diamond Cut

Referring to a diamonds cut is more than just the shape. Marquise, Emerald, Pear, and Princess are a few of the many different shapes. When a diamond is cut from the rough, the plan is to save the most weight as possible, while making a beautiful stone. Relative angles and measurements are referred to as proportions. The finish of a diamond is separated into two categories, polish and symmetry.The amount of time and skill the diamond polisher exhibits will directly affect the finish grade. Finish is like icing on the cake, that final touch. Referring to cut is taking all these values and wrapping them into one term.
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