Information About Diamonds Cut, Clarity, Color, Carat

ABOUT DIAMONDS

The quality of a diamond is measured in four categories. In general, the quality of a diamond is measured by the four factors, often called the "four c's": carat, cut, color and clarity. Three of these factors are controlled by nature. Only cut may be controlled by man or machine. A diamond is a single element of pure or nearly pure carbon. It is the purest of all the earth's gem minerals.

CARAT
Carat weight is the standard measure of a diamond's size. The metric carat is equal to 0.2000 grams and is the standard unit of weight for diamonds. The value of each carat is equal to 100 points. For example, a 0.50 carat weight diamond is the same as a 50 point or a 1/2 carat diamond. As long as all other factors are equal, the more a diamond weighs the more the higher the value. However, carat weight alone should not be used to measure a diamond's worth. Diamonds may increase in value depending upon superb cuts, clarity and brilliance.

Set diamonds are very hard to calculate an exact weight. For accurate weight, diamonds should be removed from the setting and weighed on a scale.

CUT
A well-cut diamond, regardless of its shape determines the fire and brilliance of the diamond. A well-cut diamond will reflect light straight back to your eye. Cut refers to the way the diamond is faceted. A deep or shallow cut sends light out to the sides or bottom of the diamonds which can make it look dark or milky. The hands of a skilled craftsman release its fire, sparkle and beauty.

COLOR
Diamonds are graded on a color scale of D (colorless) through Z (light yellow), based on the degree to which the diamond body color approaches colorlessness. Though most diamonds appear colorless, almost all do have a hint of yellow or brown in color. It is hard to find colorless diamonds.

By rare accidents of nature, diamonds may occur in color which are called Fancies. Natural fancy colored diamonds are much sought after because of their rarity. Their special quality is judged by the intensity of the hue and unlike white diamonds, the more color the greater the value. Of particular value and interest are yellow, pink, purple or red diamonds. Light brown diamonds, often called Champagne diamonds, have recently shown an increase in value. Dark brown diamonds, often called Cognac diamonds, are being sited as popular jewelry items for 2009.

CLARITY
Clarity refers to the number of imperfections that exist within a diamond. Virtually all diamonds contain identifying characteristics, inclusions or blemishes. Very few diamonds are flawless. Most diamonds have characteristics that are too small to seen with the naked eye. The visible nature, the frequency, the position and color of inclusions or blemishes determine the clarity grade when evaluated by a skilled grader under a 10x loupe.

DIAMOND SHAPES
Often confused with cut, but different, there are many diamond shapes. Often, the final shape is decided by the lapidary who evaluates the natural stone. After evaluation of the natural stone, the lapidary determines where the best cuts would be for the stone, determining which inclusions must be respected to maximize the beauty and value of the stone. Often a stones value may be increased by a minor modification of the cut of the stone.

EMERALD SHAPED DIAMOND
Features a rectangular diamond with trimmed corners. Flaws may be more obvious in this shape because it has fewer facets to reflect light and hide minor defects. Emerald shapes are popularly set with multiple side stones to provide balance to the elongated shape.

PEAR SHAPED DIAMOND
This shape is also referred to as a teardrop diamond. Although pear or teardrop diamonds are popular as pendants and earrings, they are also considered an excellent choice for engagement rings. Because of the unbalanced shape, they are not usually set with elaborate accent stones.

HEART DIAMOND
The heart-shaped diamond is considered more of a novelty and isn't commonly used for engagement rings. A heart shape is more popular for pendants and earrings, but can be found in selected engagement rings. The cut can be difficult to make, so you'll want to examine this diamond thoroughly before you purchase it to locate hidden flaws or defects.

MARQUISE DIAMOND
Elegant and traditional, the marquise is an oval shape with tapered, pointed ends. The center stone is set parallel to the finger, and it is frequently enhanced with small accent stones along either side. This shape is extremely popular for bridal sets.

OLD MINE CUT
An old style of cutting a diamond in which the girdle outline is squarish, the crown is high, and the table is small. It has 32 crown facets plus a table and 24 pavilion facets plus a cutlet. The earlier version of the brilliant cut diamond.
OLD EUROPEAN CUT
Following the invention of the bruting machine in 1891, the girdle of the old mine cut was rounded and would be referred to as an Old European Cut.

OVAL DIAMOND
The oval-shaped diamond is generally used along with other stones in a setting. It may be flanked by smaller diamonds, Emeralds, Sapphires, etc. Women with small fingers and hands sometimes choose this cut as a solitaire because it blends nicely with the length of a finger rather than standing out as a stronger focal point.

PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND
The princess diamond is also square, but the corners are not trimmed. It is a very popular diamond for engagement rings, particularly rings with three or more stones using a princess shape as the center stone. This can be a less expensive shape of diamond because it follows much of the stone’s natural crystalline shape.

RADIANT CUT DIAMOND
This square-shaped diamond has trimmed corners to enhance its brilliance, making it quite a square version of an emerald shape. It can be hard to find however, and is not commonly used for engagement rings because of its scarcity.

ROSE CUT

A cutting in which there are 24 triangular facets meeting at the top with a point. The base is always flat. Diamonds cut this way are usually cut from macles.

ROUND DIAMOND
Traditional Diamond Solitaire Engagement Rings have remained the most popular choice for many couples over the decades, and most involve round diamonds. Round diamonds are incredibly versatile and can be found in prong and channel settings, with or without accent stones, and in a variety of unique engagement rings and bridal sets.

SINGLE CUT DIAMONDS
An almost circular girdle, with 8 cuts, often called the "Eight Cut Diamond".

TRILLION CUT DIAMOND
This triangular-shaped diamond provides a unique choice for couples looking for that special diamond. Trillion diamonds are most frequently found as accent stones to sapphire, emerald, radiant or princess diamonds because of their ability to nestle snuggly against the side of a larger stone without unsightly gaps.

Please be sure to visit our estate jewelry diamond collection.
Estate Diamond Baguette Dangle Earrings White Gold
Estate Jewelry Diamond Baguette Dangling Earrings Yellow Gold
VVS2 European Diamond Engagement Ring
Estate Diamond Gold Bracelet
Diamond Sapphire Filigree Ring
Vintage Diamond Sapphire Wedding Band

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