The American Gem Society
(AGS) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have
taken great pains to develop grading systems to standardize
value in diamonds. We believe that it pays to be as educated
as possible when shopping or ordering a diamond. But with
so much information out there, shopping around becomes very
confusing, very fast. Leshem Diamond Services, has condensed
the information you need to know into a summary of "The
4 Cs" to ensure you know all the diamond options available
to you like:
Cut, Color, Clarity, and
Carat-Weight
CUT
Many people confuse cut with the shape
of a diamond. Diamonds are cut into a number of shapes, depending
on the nature of the rough stone. The most popular are round
marquise, oval, pear, heart and emerald, and the choice is
largely a matter of personal preference. Whatever the shape,
however, a well-cut diamond is the work of a master diamond
cutter. A diamond both reflects and refracts light. Properly
calculated and executed geometric cutting maximizes the diamond's
ability to refract light. A properly cut diamond will virtually
explode with dazzling brilliance and color. An improper cut
(often for the sole purpose of leaving added weight) will
leave dark, glassy or watery looking spots in the diamond.
Finally, it is the cut that enables the diamond to make the
best use of light.
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When
a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is reflected
from one facet to another and then dispersed through the
top of the stone.
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If the
cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through
the opposite side of the pavilion.
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If the
cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before
it can be reflected.
| When
a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is reflected
from one facet to another and then dispersed through
the top of the stone. |
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If
the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes
through the opposite side of the pavilion.
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| If
the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the
pavilion before it can be reflected. |
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| In
the above example the shallow cut the diamond has
been cut too wide and shallow for its weight and
the light will escape out the back or pavilion of
the gem. The Ideal Cut diamond has been correctly
cut and the light entering the diamond will return
to the eye. The deep cut diamond has been cut too
narrow and deep and again looses the light out the
pavilion. Diamonds are cut by the manufactures to
yield the greatest amount of carat weight from the
rough, which they also buy by the carat. |
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COLOR
Diamonds are found with a range of color,
from faint yellow or brown through to the very rare pinks, blues,
greens and other colors known as "fancies." However,
the 'best' color for a diamond is no color (white). It is a
totally colorless diamond that allows white light to pass effortlessly
through it and be dispersed as rainbows of color.
Color grading
scale from totally colorless to light yellow. The differences
between one grade and another are very subtle, as can be seen
by the number of grades within any one category.
CLARITY
To determine a diamond's clarity, it
is viewed under 10-power magnification by a trained eye. Most
diamonds contain very tiny birthmarks known as inclusions. However,
the fewer and smaller the inclusions are, the more beautiful
the diamond will be. Diamonds, more than any other gemstone,
have the capability to produce the maximum amount of brilliance.
A diamond that is free of both inclusions and surface blemishes
is very rare and therefore very valuable.
CARAT WEIGHT
This is the weight of the diamond measured
in carats. One carat is divided into 100 "points,"
or 4 Graners, so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 carats.
Carat-weight is the easiest of the 4C's to determine. But two
diamonds of equal weight can have very unequal value, depending
on their cut, color and clarity. Fine quality can be found in
diamonds of all shapes and sizes. And a fine quality diamond
is a little extra weight she'd be pleased to put on.
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