Diamond Stone
You choose a diamond based on the 4 C's
Cut
Out of the four C's, the cut is most important. That is because
the cut of the diamond affects the cost and it also makes the diamond
sparkle. However shiny the diamond is all depends on the cut and
the way light reflects off of it. Skilled professionals use exact
proportions to cut the stone; if they are not careful, the diamond
can easily lose its brilliance, even if the color and clarity of
the diamond are perfect. For example, if the stone is cut too shallow,
light escapes from the sides, but if the stone is cut too deep,
light escapes from the bottom. The cut of a diamond is often thought
to be the same as the shape of the diamond, but I assure you, it
isn't. The cut affects the way light passes through the diamond,
while the shape of the diamond is its physical shape. You know when
you look at a diamond and you see all those different sides within
the diamond and it's all sparkly? That's the cut of the diamond.
Shape: If the diamond is round, that's the shape. (Asscher Cut,
Cushion Cut, Emerald Cut, Heart, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Princess
Cut, Radiant, Round,.) The 4 most common diamond shapes are: Round
(or brilliant), Emerald, Marquis and Pear.
Note: Pick brilliance over size. Remember that
the cut facilitates the brilliance of the diamond. The more brilliance,
the size of the diamond decreases. If the stone is cut for size,
it will lose brilliance.
Clarity
According to Antoinette L. Matlins, P.G., an internationally known
gem and jewelry expert, clarity refers to the presence of microscopic
features that formed within the diamond as it crystallized. If
a diamond is absolutely perfect with no flaws whatsoever, it is
considered Fl (FlawLess) or IF (Internally Flawless). If it has
minute imperfections, it is considered VVS (Very Very Small inclusions).
If it has minor imperfections, it is considered VS (Very Small
inclusions). Then SI (Small Inclusions) and then I (Imperfect).
Color
All diamonds are almost always clear or white. The most transparent,
clear, colorless diamonds are classified as D. Diamonds range
from being classified as D to Z, as Z is still clear, but tainted
with some color. They are graded by flipping over the diamond
and viewing the stone upside down on a non-reflected white background.
Even if the diamond is colorless from the top where everyone sees
it, but tainted at the bottom, it is still classified as tainted.
While typically the most popular diamonds are colorless, there
are some diamonds that have color, which are not graded on the
D to Z scale. Some diamonds are blue, pink, black, orange, purple,
yellow, etc. The system that grades colored diamonds is called
the "fancy colored diamond grading system." Original
name for it, huh? There are also fluorescent diamonds that can
be seen through ultraviolet rays.
Hint: It is difficult to tell the difference between
a D and G. Opt for a color between g and j, you will get a nice
stone at a nice price.
Warning: Some jewelry stores use a special type
of ultraviolet light. This can distort the color reflected from
the diamond, making it appear more white than it actually is.
Carat
The carat of a diamond refers to the weight of the diamond. A
1 carat diamond is equivalent to saying 100 points. 150 points
is a 1.5 carat diamond. Naturally, the heavier and larger the
diamond is, the more expensive the diamond will get.
Diamond Size Chart
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