How To Buy A Diamond
The true beauty of a diamond is best assessed through the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. First introduced by GIA founder Robert M. Shipley, the 4Cs provide the most accurate method of evaluating a diamond, considering everything from its sparkle to its size.
source: https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/diamond-carat-weight/How To Buy A Diamond
The true beauty of a diamond is best assessed through the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. First introduced by GIA founder Robert M. Shipley, the 4Cs provide the most accurate method of evaluating a diamond, considering everything from its sparkle to its size.
source: https://4cs.gia.edu/en-us/diamond-carat-weight/-
Cut
The proportions, shape, and arrangement of facets that define a diamond’s brilliance, sparkle, and fire.
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Color
The degree of color present in a diamond, or the lack thereof.
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Clarity
The size, quantity, and location of inclusions and blemishes.
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Carat Weight
The weight measurement of a diamond.
Diamond Color
When most people think of a diamond, they imagine one with minimal or no color. In fact, when discussing diamond color, we are often referring to its lack of color.
Even slight color distinctions can significantly impact a diamond’s quality and price, from the most noticeable hues to the most subtle. Diamonds naturally occur in a wide range of colors, from colorless to shades of yellow, gray, brown, and nearly every color in the rainbow.
To accurately evaluate diamond color, experts use precise conditions and controlled lighting, comparing each stone to masterstones with defined color grades. Once assessed, the color is documented using the GIA D-to-Z Color Scale. This standard color range spans from D, representing colorless, to Z, indicating light yellow, light brown, or light gray, with grades assigned for variations in between.
Fancy Color
"Fancy color" refers to any diamond with a hue beyond the standard color range. While there are no universal guidelines for using the term "Fancy" to describe color, it is generally understood in the gem and jewelry industry to indicate either yellow or brown diamonds that show more color than a Z masterstone, or diamonds that display colors other than yellow, gray, or brown.
Diamond Color
When most people think of a diamond, they imagine one with minimal or no color. In fact, when discussing diamond color, we are often referring to its lack of color.
Even slight color distinctions can significantly impact a diamond’s quality and price, from the most noticeable hues to the most subtle. Diamonds naturally occur in a wide range of colors, from colorless to shades of yellow, gray, brown, and nearly every color in the rainbow.
To accurately evaluate diamond color, experts use precise conditions and controlled lighting, comparing each stone to masterstones with defined color grades. Once assessed, the color is documented using the GIA D-to-Z Color Scale. This standard color range spans from D, representing colorless, to Z, indicating light yellow, light brown, or light gray, with grades assigned for variations in between.
Fancy Color
"Fancy color" refers to any diamond with a hue beyond the standard color range. While there are no universal guidelines for using the term "Fancy" to describe color, it is generally understood in the gem and jewelry industry to indicate either yellow or brown diamonds that show more color than a Z masterstone, or diamonds that display colors other than yellow, gray, or brown.
Diamond Clarity
Each diamond is unique. Formed under intense heat and pressure deep within the earth, diamonds often develop natural "birthmarks." These clarity characteristics arise when small crystals become trapped within the diamond. As the diamond grows, stress and pressure may create inclusions and blemishes—sometimes only visible under magnification.
Diamond clarity is determined by evaluating the size, location, visibility, and quantity of inclusions or blemishes. Characteristics within or extending to the diamond’s surface are known as inclusions, while external features are called blemishes. Accurate clarity grading is key to a reliable diamond assessment, making it essential to secure a precise evaluation when purchasing a diamond.
The GIA International Diamond Grading System.
Each diamond is examined under 10x magnification and assigned a clarity grade.
Flawless (FL) – No inclusions or blemishes visible.
Internally Flawless (IF) – No inclusions visible, but may have blemishes.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) – Inclusions so minimal they are difficult for a skilled grader to detect.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) – Inclusions visible with effort, but are minor.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) – Inclusions are noticeable.
Included (I1, I2, and I3) – Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency, brilliance, and durability.
Diamond Clarity
Each diamond is unique. Formed under intense heat and pressure deep within the earth, diamonds often develop natural "birthmarks." These clarity characteristics arise when small crystals become trapped within the diamond. As the diamond grows, stress and pressure may create inclusions and blemishes—sometimes only visible under magnification.
Diamond clarity is determined by evaluating the size, location, visibility, and quantity of inclusions or blemishes. Characteristics within or extending to the diamond’s surface are known as inclusions, while external features are called blemishes. Accurate clarity grading is key to a reliable diamond assessment, making it essential to secure a precise evaluation when purchasing a diamond.
The GIA International Diamond Grading System.
Each diamond is examined under 10x magnification and assigned a clarity grade.
Flawless (FL) – No inclusions or blemishes visible.
Internally Flawless (IF) – No inclusions visible, but may have blemishes.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) – Inclusions so minimal they are difficult for a skilled grader to detect.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) – Inclusions visible with effort, but are minor.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) – Inclusions are noticeable.
Included (I1, I2, and I3) – Inclusions are obvious and may affect transparency, brilliance, and durability.
Diamond Cut
A diamond’s cut refers to how it interacts with light and also encompasses the overall design, including the arrangement and proportions of the diamond’s facets. Cut grades are only assigned to round brilliant cut diamonds, as they are the only ones with standardized facets. Other shapes, known as fancy shapes, include marquise, emerald, pear, oval, heart, and even triangle cuts.
Proportions influence the face-up appearance, sparkle, and overall appeal of a diamond. When evaluating the cut quality of a round brilliant diamond, several factors are considered, including the individual’s personal preference. Each grade range covers a variety of proportion sets, allowing room for personal choice within a preferred grade range.
With nearly unlimited combinations of proportions, each one affects how light interacts with the diamond and, ultimately, how visually attractive the diamond appears.
GIA's Diamond Cut Grading System
The Diamond Cut Grading System offers a standardized method for consistently assessing and documenting the cut quality of a round brilliant diamond, ranging from Excellent to Poor. This allows both gem and jewelry professionals, as well as customers, to make well-informed decisions when buying or selling a round brilliant diamond.
Face-up Appearance:
Brightness: The total reflection of white light, both internal and external.
Fire: The dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum.
Scintillation: The contrast between light and dark areas, and the sparkle that appears when the diamond is moved.
Design:
Weight Ratio: Describes the overall weight of a diamond in relation to its diameter.
Durability: The potential risk of damage based on the proportions of a polished diamond.
Craftsmanship:
Polish: The overall condition of the finished diamond’s facet surfaces.
Symmetry: The precision of the shape and placement of a diamond’s facets.
Diamond Cut
A diamond’s cut refers to how it interacts with light and also encompasses the overall design, including the arrangement and proportions of the diamond’s facets. Cut grades are only assigned to round brilliant cut diamonds, as they are the only ones with standardized facets. Other shapes, known as fancy shapes, include marquise, emerald, pear, oval, heart, and even triangle cuts.
Proportions influence the face-up appearance, sparkle, and overall appeal of a diamond. When evaluating the cut quality of a round brilliant diamond, several factors are considered, including the individual’s personal preference. Each grade range covers a variety of proportion sets, allowing room for personal choice within a preferred grade range.
With nearly unlimited combinations of proportions, each one affects how light interacts with the diamond and, ultimately, how visually attractive the diamond appears.
GIA's Diamond Cut Grading System
The Diamond Cut Grading System offers a standardized method for consistently assessing and documenting the cut quality of a round brilliant diamond, ranging from Excellent to Poor. This allows both gem and jewelry professionals, as well as customers, to make well-informed decisions when buying or selling a round brilliant diamond.
Face-up Appearance:
Brightness: The total reflection of white light, both internal and external.
Fire: The dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum.
Scintillation: The contrast between light and dark areas, and the sparkle that appears when the diamond is moved.
Design:
Weight Ratio: Describes the overall weight of a diamond in relation to its diameter.
Durability: The potential risk of damage based on the proportions of a polished diamond.
Craftsmanship:
Polish: The overall condition of the finished diamond’s facet surfaces.
Symmetry: The precision of the shape and placement of a diamond’s facets.
Diamond Carat Weight
Carat measures a diamond’s weight, not its size. One metric carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams, and each carat is divided into 100 points, allowing for precise measurements to the hundredth decimal place. Carat weight can even be measured to the thousandth decimal place for rounding purposes.
When shopping for a diamond, you may hear a jeweler refer to a diamond’s weight in points. For example, a diamond weighing 0.25 carats is called a "twenty-five pointer." Diamonds weighing more than one carat, such as a 1.08 carat stone, are typically described using carats and decimals, like "one point oh eight carats."
If two diamonds have identical color, clarity, and cut, but one has a higher carat weight, the larger diamond would be rarer, and its price would likely be higher. However, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Two diamonds of the same carat weight may still differ in quality, so it's crucial to also evaluate the color, clarity, and cut. Keep in mind that the value and quality of a diamond depend on all 4Cs, not just the carat weight.
Diamond Carat Weight
Carat measures a diamond’s weight, not its size. One metric carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams, and each carat is divided into 100 points, allowing for precise measurements to the hundredth decimal place. Carat weight can even be measured to the thousandth decimal place for rounding purposes.
When shopping for a diamond, you may hear a jeweler refer to a diamond’s weight in points. For example, a diamond weighing 0.25 carats is called a "twenty-five pointer." Diamonds weighing more than one carat, such as a 1.08 carat stone, are typically described using carats and decimals, like "one point oh eight carats."
If two diamonds have identical color, clarity, and cut, but one has a higher carat weight, the larger diamond would be rarer, and its price would likely be higher. However, bigger doesn’t always mean better. Two diamonds of the same carat weight may still differ in quality, so it's crucial to also evaluate the color, clarity, and cut. Keep in mind that the value and quality of a diamond depend on all 4Cs, not just the carat weight.