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Diamonds - Understanding the 4 C's
by Matt Doblen
No matter how small or large your budget, making sure that you get the highest quality diamond for your money is clearly a priority, and that requires an appreciation of what are known in the trade as the 4 Cs. Knowing what to look for in terms of color, cut, clarity and carat weight will not only ensure that you achieve the best value for money when buying either loose diamonds or a finished ring, but also that you are able to select a gem which truly meets the wearer's style and taste.
Color
Although it is common to think of diamonds as being colorless, most have at least traces of yellow, brown, grey, green or blue, and in some cases the color is quite pronounced. In the diamond trade, stones are graded according to the amount of color that they contain. On a scale which runs from D through to Z, grades K-Z have a noticeable hue, grades G-J are almost colorless and grades E and F have only the tiniest amount of color which can only be detected by an expert in the gem trade. Diamonds which are given a D grading are both rare and expensive. As these stones are absolutely colorless and allow the maximum amount of light to travel through them, they provide the ultimate in fire and sparkle.
Cut
While many tend to think of the cut of a diamond as its outline shape, the term actually refers to the way in which the diamond cutter introduces proportion and symmetry to the stone. The depth and width of the diamond, as well as the number and angle of the facets which are cut into its surface, all help to dictate the way in which the light plays on the finished stone. Essentially, the higher the quality of the diamond cut, the greater the sparkle, and the Ideal Cut offers the maximum in brilliance.
Clarity
Being a product of nature, most diamonds contain flaws which occur as they are being formed. The size and the number of these internal and surface imperfections (known respectively as inclusions and blemishes) contribute to the clarity of the stone and to the price which it commands, with the rare flawless diamond being the most expensive and coveted. On the scale which measures a diamond's clarity, it is only those graded I1, I2 or I3 that contain inclusions or blemishes which are visible to the naked eye. Regardless of whether you intend purchasing a finished ring or wholesale loose diamonds, it is important to be sure of a stone's clarity in order to assess whether the price is reasonable.
Carat Weight
Rather than being measured in terms of their size, diamonds are assessed according to their weight, with the carat (equal to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams) being the unit of measurement used. Although the price of a stone is generally affected by its size or weight, it is important to bear in mind that smaller diamonds which are higher up the scale in terms of color, clarity and cut can command higher prices than those which are larger and less perfect.
About the Author
Learn more about loose diamonds and wholesale loose diamonds.
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Learn how a Diamond is graded based on the 4 C's created by the Gemological ...
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The GIA created the 4 C's used in grading diamonds; Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat Weight. They created the grading color system used to determine ...
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