Choosing Diamonds
Discriminating people appreciate quality. The thought of purchasing a home, a car or even a bottle of fine wine that is anything short of what they really want would be unheard of. The same holds true with diamonds, the hardest natural gemstone known to man. But there’s more to a diamond than meets the eye.
Two diamonds that look alike at first may, in fact, be very different. And two diamonds of equal size can have very unequal values. Take, for example the diamonds on the right. The differences between them are subtle indeed. To understand these differences is to understand the 4C’s: Carat-weight, Clarity, Colour and Cut. It is these characteristics that determine the value of a diamond.
Carat
This is the size of the diamond measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 “points”, so that a diamond of 75 points weighs 0.75 carats. Size is the most obvious factor in determining the value of a diamond.But two diamonds of equal size can have very unequal values, depending on their cut, clarity and colour. And diamonds of high quality can be found in all size ranges.
Clarity
Diamonds, more than any other gemstone, have the capability to produce the maximum amount of lustre. A diamond that is virtually free of interior inclusions or exterior flaws is of the highest quality, for nothing interferes with the passage of light through the diamond. To determine a diamond’s clarity, it is viewed under a 10-power magnification by a trained eye. Minute inclusions neither mar its beauty nor endanger its durability. However, the clearer the diamond, the clearer your choice.
Colour
The best colour for a diamond is no colour. To choose the purest white diamond is to show your true colours, as well. But also rare and valuable are diamonds with a pure colour such as pink, blue and even green. Such stones are called “fancies”. Colour grading scales from totally colourless to light yellow. The differences between one grade and another are very subtle.
Cut
Round brilliant diamonds are cut with 58 facets (including culet), and a good cut, or make, has more scintillation, more sparkle. The shape of the diamond, however, is largely a matter of personal preference and does not affect the value perse. It is the work of a master cutter that allows the diamond to be cut in such a way as to permit the maximum amount of light to be reflected through the diamond. And that’s a great reflection on you. When cut to good proportions, a diamond is better able to handle light, creating more brilliance and more sparkle, and it therefore commands a higher value. When you are choosing a diamond, simply hold it up and see how the light dances around it.