Diamond Grading Vocabulary: An important key to making an informed decision.

The cost of a diamond is based on what has come to be known as the “4 C’s”. They are Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat Weight. These 4 categories combine in unique ways that allow an individual to find the perfect stone that expresses their affections and intentions in an intimate, personal way.

It is very important to identify what are your, or your loved one’s favorite attributes in a diamond. For instance, are you/they more drawn to large diamonds, geometrically proportionate diamonds, sparkly diamonds, fancy-colored diamonds or specialty shaped diamonds. So whether you’re an engineer or an entrepreneur, a soccer mom or a socialite, there’s a diamond just for you. So take some time to make in intelligent, informed decision.

Carat Weight
A carat is the unit of weight for all gemstones. The word “carat” comes from the small seedpod of the carob tree. These seeds were commonly used to weigh gemstones, right through the turn of the century. It is important to note that one carat is measured by 100 “points”. For example, a diamond measuring 25 points is 1/4 carat in weight, or 0.25ct.

Clarity
The clarity of a diamond is determined by the number, type, position, size and color of the unique characteristics of a specific diamond. The internal characteristics are referred to as “inclusions” and surface characteristics are called “blemishes”.
But what are these unique characteristics? These unique features were formed when the diamond was created. Diamonds are almost entirely carbon, however, during crystallization other minerals that were close by could become enclosed by the cooling lava flow. These enclosed minerals become the unique characteristics, which make up the clarity of a diamond. This is in some ways similar to the formation of amber.
Clarity is measured on a scale ranging from pure (flawless) to heavily included (I-3). See the scale below for a full spectrum of clarity degrees.

Color
Traditionally, the absence of color is desirable and therefore valuable in a diamond. The scale that is used to determine the value of a diamond begins with the “letter” D (colorless) and continues throughout the alphabet to Z (deeply colored). In addition to this range of colors are the “fancy colors” that are valuable because of their deep or rich hues. The color of diamond is graded by comparing them to “master stones” within the color scale or a machine called a “Colorimeter.”

Cut
The cut of a diamond is what provides the diamond with the desired sparkle and brilliance or “fire” that seems to make the diamond come alive. The cut of a diamond is a skillful balance between retaining the largest size of a diamond and ensuring the best cut to provide the most “brilliance”. These “ideal” proportions provide a standard to measure the cut of a diamond ensure the buyer is getting “brilliance” that catches your eye and not just size without sparkle.
It is important to distinguish the cut of a diamond from the shape of a diamond. The common shapes a diamond can be found in are: Round, Princess, Emerald, Marquis, Heart, Pear, Oval Cushion, Asscher and Radiant. Each of these shapes has their own specific “ideal” cut to ensure maximum “brilliance”.