 |
 |
       |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
When purchasing a diamond know the four "C's" click below to the four C's, to learn about cut, carat, clarity or color |
||||||
|
Cut is considered by many to be the most important "C". Only when precisely calculated planes and angles are used, does the stone achieve its greatest possible beauty. |
The term carat is a measure of weight. The cut of a diamond can make it appear larger or smaller than its actual weight. As the weight of a diamond increases, so does its per carat cost. It is for this reason that a 1-carat diamond may cost 5 times more than a half-carat diamond. |
Clarity is a term used to describe the absence or presence of flaws (blemishes or inclusions) inside or on the surface of a diamond. Inclusions (inside the diamond) may include crystals, fractures, clouds, and cavities. Surface blemishes may include scratches, nicks, pits, abraded facet edges, extra facets and naturals.
|
The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has established an industry-accepted color grading system that rates diamonds with alphabetical letters. D (no color) is the most expensive "color" and N through Z (very light to light yellow), the least expensive. Diamonds that are graded from D through J are best suited for jewelry because they look colorless or nearly colorless. |
|||