Selecting Diamonds that give you good value at a fair price

Diamonds are graded for certification by laboratories using grading criteria. Four of these criteria are essential to understand when making a diamond purchase or investment. Known as the ‘Four Cs’, these criteria are: carat weight, color, clarity, and cut. You should be familiar with the Four Cs if you know your diamond basics. Here is a brief overview:

Carat Weight

Carat is the unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams.

A carat is divided into 100 segments, called points. 150 points would equal one and a half carats. Carat weight however, is not the same as diamond value. Find out why here.

Color

Color is the result of the composition of a diamond, and it does not change. A jeweler who describes the color of a diamond is referring to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. Because a diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through, colorless diamonds are preferred for their sparkle. The Gemological Institution of America (GIA) has color grading guidelines that you may find helpful.

Clarity

During the formation process, inner flaws, called inclusions and blemishes, occur in most diamonds. The number and size of these inclusions determine what is referred to as the clarity of a diamond.

Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance and therefore are rarer and highly priced. To be considered ‘flawless’, a diamond must have no surface or internal imperfections visible when viewed by a skilled diamond grader using 10-power magnification. The Gemological Institution of America (GIA) has clarity grading guidelines that you may find helpful.

Cut

Cut refers to a diamond’s reflective quality. Most standard diamonds cuts have 58 facets. The brilliance of diamonds is heavily dependent on the cut.

The different angles and the polish of a diamond determine its ability to reflect light and are responsible for its brilliance and fire. Remember that the cut of a diamond can have an impact on its durability as well as its beauty.

Some cutting faults can make a diamond prone to breakage. A diamond that is cut too thin can also cause light to leak out of the back and the diamond will lose some of the sparkle and not reflect light well. So, as you can see, cut is probably the most important of the Four Cs. You should always opt for an Ideal cut, which will maximize both the appearance and value of the diamond.

You may also want to get familiar with the Terminology jewelers use to describe the different parts of a diamond.

Useful tips

• When you go to the store or go online to make that all-important diamond purchase, don’t be shy! After all, you’re making a sizeable purchase. ( Wholesale Loose Diamonds ) You owe it to yourself to get value for your money. Instead of taking the seller’s word, ask questions, and get the answers you need to make an informed purchase.
• Knowing your diamond basics enables you to make an informed selection. It also equips you with the facts you need to comparison shop and purchase the best diamond at a fair price.
• Remember, before making a purchase, take the time to shop around and see what shapes and styles are available and decide which cuts really appeal to you. Enjoy your diamond for years to come!

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