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| Diamond 4 C's |
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There is no other gemstone quite like a diamond. It is found in the most remote places on earth, and the fact that it forms at all is something of a miracle. It takes about one ton of rock to recover less than half a carat of rough, making diamond one of the rarest and most desired gemstones in the world. A diamond is a testament of endurance and strength – and not surprisingly, the ultimate symbol of love.
Every diamond is unique. Each reflects the story of its arduous journey from deep inside the earth to a cherished object of adornment. Yet all diamonds share certain features that allow us to compare and evaluate them. These features are called the 4Cs.
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Color | Clarity | Cut | Carat Weight
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| Color |
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Most diamonds are colorless to slightly yellowish. The color grade of a diamond is determined by comparison with a series of master stones. The best grade is colorless (exceptional white + = D and then ranges from D, E, F, G, H……Z). Diamonds with very little color are the most highly valued and are priced accordingly. A little color can diminish a diamond's brilliance. Learn how to choose a diamond with no color noticeable to the untrained and unaided eye. |
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| D |
ABSOLUTELY COLORLESS |
The highest color grade, which is extremely rare. |
| E |
COLORLESS |
Only minute traces of color can be detected by an expert gemologist. A rare diamond. |
| F |
COLORLESS |
Slight color detected by an expert gemologist, but still considered a "colorless " grade. A high-quality diamond. |
| G-H |
NEAR-COLORLESS |
Color noticable when compared to diamonds of better grades, but these grades offer excellent value. |
| I-L |
COLOR SLIGHTLY DETECTED |
An excellent value. |
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Fluorescence:
Some diamonds can emit a visible light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, but fluorescence is not a factor in determining color or clarity grades. |
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| Clarity |
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Because diamonds form under tremendous heat and pressure, it is extremely rare to find a diamond that lacks any internal and external characteristics. These characteristics are a by-product of its formation and help gemologists separate natural diamonds from synthetic and stimulants, and indentify individual stones.
The clarity rating reflects size, number and location of these characteristics when examined under magnification. Most imperfections are not visible to the naked eye unless magnified. |
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| Diamond Clarity |
| FL, IF |
Flawless, Internally Flawless: No internal or external
imperfections. Internally Flawless: No internal imperfections. Very
rare.
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VVS1,
VVS2 |
Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see
imperfections under 10x magnification. An excellent quality
diamond.
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VS1,
VS2 |
Very Slightly Included: Imperfections are not typically
visible to the unaided eye. Less expensive than the VVS1 or VVS2
grades.
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SI1,
SI2 |
Slightly Included: Imperfections are visible under 10x
magnification, and may be visible with the unaided eye. A good
diamond value.
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| I1, I2, I3 |
Included: Imperfections and inclusions may be visible by unaided eye.
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| Cut |
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Diamonds can be cut in various shapes, including round (“round brilliant”), pear, heart and square. The best known cut is the round brilliant.
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| Move your mouse on each shape to learn how to recognize the most beautiful diamond. |
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The cut of a diamond has the most effect on its sparkle, or brilliance. Even if the diamond has perfect color and clarity, a poor cut can make a diamond look dull.
Craftsman expertise is essential. A stone’s brilliance, quality and value depend on an expert’s precise cuts. |
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Diamond Anatomy
The cut of a diamond, determines its brilliance...
If a diamond is cut too shallow, the light is lost out the bottom, causing the diamond to loose brilliance.
If a diamond is cut too deep, the light is lost out the sides, causing the diamond to appear dark and dull.
An ideally cut diamond reflects the light through the diamond, then back through the table, resulting in a brilliance that makes it sparkle. |
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| Carat Weight |
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Carat: Diamond weight is expressed in “carats.” One carat = 0.2 grams and one carat equals 100 “points.” Since larger diamonds are more rare than smaller diamonds, diamond value tends to rise exponentially with carat weight.
Ask us how to balance diamond quality with the size of your diamond. |
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