Diamond Guide
The Diamond Guide
The experience of buying a diamond is lovely- whether it is for the purpose of an engagement or a happy celebration. However, for those who are not experts, buying a diamond can be quite confusing. Why are there diamonds that are more affordable and ones that are extremely expensive? How are they different? Diamond experts can determine a diamond’s worth by carefully examining the four central qualities of diamonds.
CARAT (The weight of the diamond)
The bigger the diamond is in size, the rarer it is to find in nature and the more expensive the diamond will be. Diamonds are measured in a weight unit called “carat” by diamond experts. Its value is measured as follows: 1 carat= 0.2 gram. The process of a diamond’s formation is slow, long and requires special conditions and unique minerals. Therefore, diamonds are extremely rare to find.
An Interesting fact: the word “carat” originates from the Greek word “keration”- meaning carob. In those days the carob seeds where used as a measuring unit for selling goods, since each carob seed weighs exactly 0.2 gram.
COLOR (The color of the diamond)
Diamonds exist in many different shades and colors. The white hue that we are used to see in diamonds also has different shades (in pertaining to color-less diamonds) ranging from transparent (the most expensive) to yellow hues. The color is the result of a diamond’s natural formation and it never changes. Diamonds with a higher grade/rating will appear whiter and brighter.
CLARITY (The ‘immaculateness’ of the diamond)
Most of the diamonds found in nature have flaws, caused by the immense pressure that is needed to create a diamond in a natural environment- unlike the sterile conditions of a lab.
There are two major types of flaws in diamonds: external and internal flaws. In most cases you can remove the external flaws of the diamond by polishing, whereas you are unable to polish the internal flaws of natural diamonds.
The flaws are made from natural causes such as air bubbles, cracks, minerals that seep into the diamond, surface scratches and more. The more flawless a diamond appears to be, the more it is worth. Natural, flawless diamonds are very rare and their worth is extremely high
|
I3
|
I2
|
I1
|
SI2
|
SI1
|
VS2
|
VS1
|
VVS2
|
VVS1
|
IF
|
|
Included
|
Slight Inclusion
|
Very Slight Inclusion
|
Very Slight Inclusion
|
Internally Flawless
|
|||||
Of the four characteristics discussed above, the cut of the diamond is probably the most important quality of determining a diamond’s worth. ‘The cut of the diamond’ refers to the way in which the diamond reflects light that passes through it onto the eye of the beholder. A diamond that is not professionally cut will not reflect light back inside. The light will “seep outwards” toward the sides or beneath the diamond, therefore causing a more dimming shine. Hence, the cut of the diamond has great effect on its worth. An accurate and professional diamond cut will provide the unique glint and dazzle which comes straight from the heart of the diamond. The angle of cut and the polish of the diamond allow the diamond to break the light which passes through in an ideal manner. The light passes through the edges of the diamond and simultaneously reflects back into the diamond, providing a nearly unreal level of beauty.
For your convenience, a grading scale for a diamond’s quality of cut:
|
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Very Good |
Excellent |
