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4C's of Diamond Quality
Diamonds are graded by four characteristics: cut, carat (weight), clarity,
and color. All four of these properties determine how much a diamond is
worth.
Cut - Diamond cutting is the art and science of creating a
gem-quality diamond out of mined rough stone. The cut
proportion of a diamond describes the manner in which a diamond has been
shaped and polished from its beginning form as a rough stone to its final
gem proportions. The cut of a diamond describes the quality of workmanship
and the angles to which a diamond is cut.
Shape -
Round brilliant diamonds are commonly cut with 57 facets (polished
faces), counting 33 on the crown (the top half), and 24 on the pavilion
(the lower half). The better proportioned these facets
are on the diamond, the more light will be reflected back to the viewer's
eye. Cut also refers to the shape such as:
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Emerald |
Heart |
Marquise |
Oval |
Pear |
Princess |
Radiant |
Round |
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Carat - The carat weight measures the mass of a diamond. One carat is
defined as a fifth of a gram. The point unit is equal to one one-hundredth
of a carat (0.01 carat, or 2 mg) is commonly used for diamonds of less
than one carat. Clarity
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Clarity is a measure of internal defects of a diamond called inclusions.
Inclusions may be crystals of a foreign material or another diamond
crystal, or structural imperfections such as tiny cracks that can appear
whitish or cloudy. The number, size, color, relative location,
orientation, and visibility of inclusions can all affect the relative
clarity of a diamond. Those that do not have a visible inclusion are known
as "eye-clean" and are preferred by most buyers, although visible
inclusions can sometimes be hidden under the setting in a piece of
jewelry. Most inclusions present in gem-quality diamonds do not affect the
diamonds' performance or structural integrity. However, large clouds can
affect a diamond's ability to transmit and scatter light. Large cracks
close to or breaking the surface may reduce a diamond's resistance to
fracture.
Diamonds are graded on a scale ranging from FL - IF flawless
(perfect) to I2 - I3 imperfect (included).
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Color - Diamond colors generally range from D - X for white and yellow
diamonds. D is the whitest. Around S they become "Fancy" yellow Diamonds.
One can also find green, pink, red, blue and brown diamonds - though these
are usually irradiated.
Forever Metals
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