Buying a diamond is both an expensive, daunting and slightly complicated task since there are so many variables. Many people are taken advantage of when they go buy the engagement ring and many others. This information will provide a guide to get the most ring for your money.
The Four C’s of a Diamond
There are four things that determine the quality (and cost) of a diamond.
Carat: is the weight of the diamond. It is measured in points- up to 100. One carat weighs about .2 grams. (E.g. ¼ carat is measured at 25 points). The more points a diamond is, the more expensive it is.
Clarity: is the amount or the lack thereof of imperfections (inclusions) in a diamond. These could be internal or external and vary in location per individual diamond. The amount of inclusions a diamond has is subjective because it is determined by a gemologist (at a 10 power magnification) and not by a computer. In the industry, majority rules in the determination of the clarity rating of a diamond. There are about 10 different ratings a diamond can receive. It ranges in clarity from IF (internally flawless) to I3 (heavily included- well visible with the naked eye). One thing to keep in mind, depending on the location of the inclusion, you may not even see it with the naked eye regardless of the rating.
Color: is the amount of color or the lack thereof in a diamond. Almost all diamonds have some color in them. Color in a diamond ranges from D (colorless-white) to Z (light yellow). Most people buy diamonds in the near colorless range (G-J) which has very little if any yellow in it. The color of a diamond, like the clarity, is also subjective because it is determined by a gemologist (at a 10 power magnification) and not by a computer.
Cut: is known as the quality of the diamond and not the shape. There are 3 types of cuts: well cut, deep cut, and shallow cut. The only type of diamond recommended by most jewelers is the well cut diamond. This will ensure it has the most brilliance and is the most resilient to breakage. The ideal diamond cut has 58 facets because it has been shown to provide the most brilliance. Less or more facets has been shown to detract from the brilliance on a diamond.
Results
Taking the time to select a diamond that works best for your individual needs (and checkbook) is the best way to ensure happiness with the diamond throughout time.
Sources:
- Personal interview with Joshua Hipple, Diamond Consultant
- www. Shane Company.com
- www.diasource.com
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