| The
4 C's
The value of a diamond is determined by 4
characteristics known as “The 4 C’s”. These
are: Carat, Colour,
Clarity and Cut.
Carat
A Carat is the unit of measurement
used when weighing a diamond. One carat is the equivalent
of 0.2 grams. A diamonds’ value is greatly determined
by its weight. For example if you had two identical diamonds
i.e. same colour, clarity and cut but the one weighs 1 carat
and the other only half a carat, the 1 carat diamond may be
worth as much as 350% more than the half carat!
top
/\
Colour
A diamond’s colour is graded
in a range from D-Z. D being truly colourless and of the highest
quality. E and F are also graded as colourless while G, H,
I and J are near colorless. Stones grades K, L, and M will
have obvious hints of colour and as the scale approaches P
you may find subtle changes in hue and tone.
The exceptions to the rule are
"Fancy" diamonds in colours that include pink, blue,
orange, green, and canary yellow. These are particularly rare
and very valuable.
top
/\
Clarity
The number, size and type of flaws
that are contained in a diamond determine its clarity.
The following are the various clarity
categories:
Flawless (FL) & Internally Flawless
(IF)
Diamonds that reveal no flaws on the surface or internally.
Very, Very Small Inclusion 1 (VVS1)
& Very, Very Small Inclusion 2 (VVS2)
Diamonds with minute inclusions absolutely invisible to the
naked eye. Only through careful inspection with a microscope
can these tiny inclusions be accurately pinpointed.
Very Small Inclusion 1 (VS1) &
Very Small Inclusion 2 (VS2)
Diamonds with tiny inclusions difficult to locate. Only a
trained eye looking through a 10X loupe can pinpoint the inclusions
in this category. The inclusions are nearly impossible to
see with the naked eye.
Small Inclusion 1 (S1) & Small Inclusion 2 (S2)
Diamonds with inclusions easily identified through a 10x loupe.
Finding flaws in this category with the naked eye is difficult.
The gems in this category maintain their integrity, depending
on the location of the inclusions.
Imperfect 1 (I1) to Imperfect (I3)
Diamonds with inclusions which may or may not be easily seen
by the naked eye.
top
/\
Cut
This refers to both the style of the
diamond as well as the workmanship. A well cut diamond reflects
the maximum amount of light, through the diamond from one
mirror-like surface to another, dispersed through the top
of the stone. Diamonds cut too shallow or too deep lose light
that spills through the side or bottom. Consequently, a poorly
proportioned stone is less brilliant and spectacular and accordingly
less valuable.
|
Ideal
Cut |
Cut
too Deep |
Cut
too Shallow |
The more common styles or cuts of diamond
include:
|
