Understanding Diamonds, The Essential Four Cs
Chances are, your promise of commitment will be symbolized with a diamond engagement ring. This is essentially a matter of personal choice; however, there are a few important things to know before you head to the jeweler to select your diamond. The industry standards in diamond classification are more commonly referred to as the "4Cs" - clarity, color, carat weight and cut - and understanding them is your key to choosing the highest-quality diamond within your budget. To be familiar with these terms is to let the jeweler know that he or she is dealing with an educated customer - truly a benefit when making a significant, once-in-a-lifetime purchase such as this.
CLARITY is determined by the degree to which a diamond is free from natural inclusions or imperfections. Most diamonds contain some inclusions, visible only through a jeweler's loupe, the magnifying instrument professionals use to examine and evaluate gemstones.
COLOR in a diamond means the best color is no color, which allows the stone to cleanly reflect and refract light. Diamonds are rated for color on a letter scale ranging from D, which is perfectly colorless, to Z, the lowest color rating.
CARAT refers to the weight of the diamond, not its size. There are 100 points in a carat. Therefore, a diamond of 50 points weighs half a carat. Larger diamonds of one carat or more are rare and greater value per carat.
CUT is considered to be the most important of the 4Cs, because a well-cut diamond sparkles more than any other gem. Exact little planes called facets direct rays of light into the diamond. The light is then reflected outward, creating the diamond’s fire and brilliance. Fire is the intensity of the rainbow of color emanating from a diamond and brilliance is the liveliness of a diamond. It’s important to distinguish between the cute and the cute “shape” of a diamond.
Understanding what makes every diamond different ensures that your engagement ring will be unique symbol of enduring quality and love. Remember to shop at a reputable jeweler and request a detailed, written gemological evaluation of any significant stone you purchase.
