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4C's of Diamonds.
The 4 C's are the primary visual characteristics of a diamond. Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity are among them. These 4 characteristics are graded and classified in order to determine the size and quality of the diamond. They also help in distinguishing between identical gems and determining the worth and price of the diamond. The Gemological Institute of America, or G, created the grading scales for the four C's. Consumers and gemologists can accurately identify diamonds attributable to established grading scale standards. Once you've mastered the 4 C's, you'll be able to successfully choose a diamond that fits within your price range while maximizing the quality and size aspects within that budget. This guide will successfully educate you on the fundamentals so you know what to look for and how to appraise a diamond and its value.
Cut
The cut of a diamond is more than simply its shape; it is the most essential component in influencing its fire, brilliance, and scintillation. While nature decides a stone's color, clarity, and carat weight, the master diamond cutter chooses the cut.
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Ultimately, the cut of a diamond influences how successfully light that enters the stone is refracted within and reflected back through the top of the diamond. Proportion, symmetry, and polish all have an impact on diamond quality: the closer they are to ideal, the better the diamond will perform in terms of fire, brightness, and scintillation.
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An excellent cut diamond will reflect the proper balance of light back through the top of the stone, whereas a poorly cut diamond would lose light, and hence sparkle, through the sides and bottom.
Courtesy of GIA
Color
Color refers to the presence or absence of a yellow or brown tint in white diamonds. The closer a diamond is to being colorless, the more rare and valuable it is.
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Most diamonds appear colorless to an untrained eye, yet many have slight tones of yellow or brown which affect its value. (The exception to this is fancy-colored diamonds, such as deep yellows, pinks and blues, which lie outside the white diamond color range.)
The color of a diamond is measured on an alphabetical scale starting from D (colorless). Each letter grade has a clearly defined range of color appearance that determines its value, and as you move down the scale, the color tint in the diamond increases.
DIAMOND COLOR SCALE:
D: Absolutely colorless. The most rare and most valuable. Less than 1% of diamond’s mined worldwide are graded as color D.
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E – F: Also considered colorless, even though it is a minimal trace of color that can only be detected by an expert gemmologist. Less rare than D, and more valuable than G – H.
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G – H: Near colorless. To the eye these diamonds appear clear and colorless, although they also contain minute traces of color. Less rare than E – F, but more valuable than I – J.
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I – J: Near colorless with a faint tint of yellow not easily identified by the eye. Less rare than G – H, but more valuable than K – L.
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M – Z: Faint yellow tint, visible to the eye. Less rare than I – J, but slightly more valuable than M – N.
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Fancy Yellow: More rare and more valuable than the colorless and near colorless white diamonds. These diamonds contain nitrogen which results in a yellow appearance. The more yellow the diamond is, the more rare and more valuable it is. Yellow diamonds are graded Light Fancy Yellow, Fancy Yellow, and Intense Fancy Yellow.
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Courtesy of GIA
Clarity
Clarity measures the presence of natural inclusions or imperfections in a diamond. The closer a diamond comes to flawless, i.e., no apparent imperfections under a jeweler's loupe, the more uncommon it is and the higher its value. Because most inclusions are invisible to the human eye, diamonds are graded using a 10x magnifying loupe.
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Clarity characteristics are usually divided into two categories:
Inclusions: imperfections that occur naturally in diamonds. When the diamond was produced under great heat and pressure, they were formed miles below the surface.
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Blemishes: imperfections on the diamond's surface that appear during the cutting and polishing process.
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DIAMOND CLARITY SCALE:
F (Flawless): No inclusions or blemishes visible to a skilled gemmologist under a 10x magnification loupe.
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IF (Internally Flawless): No visible inclusions under a 10x magnification loupe, insignificant surface blemishes.
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VVS1 – VVS2 (Very Very Slight Inclusions): Minute inclusions so small they are hardly visible under a 10x magnification loupe. Not visible to the naked eye.
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VS1 – VS2 (Very Slight Inclusions): Minor inclusions that are visible under a 10x magnification loupe. Not visible to the naked eye.
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SI1 – SI2 (Slight Inclusions): Noticeable inclusions seen under a 10x magnification loupe. Not visible to the naked eye.
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I1 – I2 – I3 (Included): Inclusions are large and noticeable to the naked eye.
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A diamond’s clarity is determined by the number, size, type and placement of the inclusions, such as tiny white points, dark dots, or feathery cracks naturally found in the diamond. A diamond’s clarity is unique and acts as a fingerprint. When choosing a diamond, you should select a clarity grade in which the inclusions are not visible without magnification. In other words, we recommend diamonds with a clarity grade of SI2 and up.
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Courtesy of GIA
Carat
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond or other gemstone. A carat is a unit of measurement equivalent to 0.2gm or 200mg. Size matters in the diamond industry. Large diamonds are uncommon in nature, making them more expensive than smaller diamonds of the same color and quality.
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This indicates that the price of a diamond will rise exponentially as its carat size grows. Be mindful that a diamond's value cannot be determined just by its size or carat weight. Color and clarity are other important considerations. A big diamond with poor color and clarity will be worth less than a smaller diamond with excellent color and clarity.
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Another common misunderstanding is that a 2 carat diamond seems twice as large as a one-carat diamond. Since a diamond's carat weight is defined in mass rather than physical size, a 2 carat diamond will not be twice the size of a 1.00 carat diamond, but it will be twice the weight.
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Courtesy of GIA
Diamond Shapes.
The Round Brilliant Cut is the most popular and has set the standard for all diamond shapes. Its ideal proportions return a significant amount of fire, sparkle, and scintillation due to its 57 facets. In the pursuit of perfection, this round diamond shape has also served as a benchmark for theories of light behavior and accurate mathematical calculations.
The Princess Cut, which is square in shape and has pointed corners, is the most popular shape of "fancy cut" diamonds. Its stunning brilliance and square shape make it a popular choice for engagement rings. Princess Cut diamonds are typically polished with 50 or 58 facets, depending on how the pavilion is cut.
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The Princess Cut, also known as the ‘Square Modified Brilliant Cut,' is a square variant of the Round Brilliant Cut with many dazzling facets. The ideal length-to-width ratio is 1:1, however, any ratio between 1:1 and 1.4:1 is also acceptable.
A Radiant Cut diamond is a ‘cut-cornered, rectangle (or square) modified brilliant' in technical terms. This square or rectangle cut, which has trimmed edges, blends the beauty of an emerald cut diamond with the sparkle of a round diamond.
Radiant Cut Diamonds contain 70 facets in total, with varying degrees of rectangularity in the overall form. If you want a square cut, the length to width ratio of a Radiant Shape should be about 1.0 to 1.1:1. Look for a ratio of 1.11 to 1.5:1 for a more rectangular form.
The Emerald Cut is a sophisticated diamond form with step-like facets, a rectangular shape, and rounded corners. This shape is generally reserved for top color and clarity diamonds due of its bigger, open table.
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The Emerald Cut is polished with 44 facets in most cases. The ideal length-to-width ratio for an emerald cut diamond is 1.35-1.65:1, although, 1.25:1 to 1.75:1 is also considered to be acceptable.
The Cushion Cut has soft edges and round corners, giving it the appearance of a cushion or pillow. Since the invention of diamond cuts, this style of cut has been popular. Cushion cut diamonds range in a variety of shapes, from square to rectangular/elongated.
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Choose a length-to-width ratio of 1.05 to 1.10:1 if you like a squarer form. Go with length-to-width ratios larger than 1.15:1 if you want a more rectangular form.
An Oval Shape diamond is a lengthy variant of a round brilliant diamond. This beautiful cut has a lot of sparkle, fire, and scintillation if it's well proportioned. Oval diamonds are especially popular because of their length, which may highlight long, slender fingers. The average oval cut diamond has 56 facets.
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The oval form offers a greater surface area than a round brilliant of the same carat weight, making it a good choice for those who value size. The optimal length-to-width ratio is 1.5:1, although anything between 1.33:1 and 1.66:1 is acceptable.
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The Asscher Cut is a distinctive diamond-cut with step-like facets and trimmed corners, comparable to an Emerald Cut diamond but square in form. The Asscher cut was created in 1902 by Joseph Asscher and was influenced by Renaissance table cuts.
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A square emerald cut diamond is officially known as an Asscher cut diamond. Between 1.00 to 1.05:1 is the optimal length-to-width ratio.
The Pear Shape diamond is a one-of-a-kind hybrid cut that combines the best of the marquise and round brilliant cuts into a teardrop form. It is well proportioned and gives the diamond's tip a depth of scintillation. Rings, earrings, and pendants in the shape of a pear are quite popular.
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Pear shapes usually have 58 facets, and the ideal length-to-width ratio is between 1.50 and 1.75:1.
The Marquise Cut diamond features a long, slender form with two sharp points on either end. The Marquise, like the Oval, emphasizes long, thin fingers and has a high surface area.
A Marquise cut has a typical number of facets of 58.
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The Marquise Cut was inspired by the Marquise de Pompadour's seductive smile and commissioned by King Louis XIV, who desired a diamond to match the smile. The ideal length-to-width ratio is 2:1, although anything between 1.75 and 2.25:1 is acceptable.
The Heart Shape diamond is a modified brilliant cut that is truly charming. To create a perfect balance in this emotional cut, it takes effort and experience. In a Heart shape diamond, the typical number of polished facets is 59. The optimal length-to-width ratio is between 0.9 and 1.2:1.
Metals.
Choosing the correct metal for an engagement ring is an important step in the ring-designing process. Choosing a metal for your ring is a pleasant and straightforward procedure once you understand the basics of ring metals. Choosing between white gold, yellow gold, and platinum is a personal choice as well as a financial one. Before making a final selection, consider the advantages and disadvantages of the many varieties of engagement ring metals.
White gold is an exceptionally attractive and popular choice for engagement ring settings, and it is fast becoming the most popular engagement ring metal. Nick Hatia provides white gold in 14K and 18K. 14K gold is 58.5 percent gold, whereas 18K white gold is 75% gold and 25% other metals (nickel, zinc, etc). White gold has the overall appearance of platinum but is far less costly. White gold increases the brightness and sparkle of diamonds rated D-I on the diamond color scale.
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To achieve its white hue, white gold is often alloyed with nickel, zinc, silver, and/or palladium, and it is frequently plated with rhodium—a glossy, white metal that is a member of the platinum family—to give it an even whiter look and protect it against color loss. Although white gold does not tarnish, due to its 75 percent yellow gold composition, it may develop a little yellow tint with time. If this occurs, the original beauty of white gold can be restored with a simple re-plating.
Yellow gold is the most common of the golds, owing to the fact that gold is inherently yellow. Yellow gold used in fine jewelry is generally alloyed with silver and copper; the color of the alloy is determined by the quantity of pure gold present. Gold has the benefit of not corroding, tarnishing, or rusting, so it can be relied on to give long-lasting beauty. Gold, despite its strength, is more "flexible" than the other precious metals.
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​Pure gold, rated 24 karats, is too soft to be used in jewelry—the greater the karat count, the softer the gold. 18kt gold is made up of 75% gold alloyed with 25% other metals and is utilized in the production of exquisite jewelry. 14kt gold, which contains 58.3 percent gold, is often used in jewelry when strength and hardness are essential considerations. 10kt gold contains 41.7 percent gold, and 10 karats is the minimum quantity of karats required for an object to be classed as genuine gold in the United States.
Rose gold is a gold and copper alloy that is popular in specialty jewelry because of its warm, rosy hue. Rose gold is also known as red gold, pink gold, and Russian gold due to its prominence in Russia in the early nineteenth century. The copper concentration distinguishes red, rose, and pink gold.
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The more copper there is in gold, the more prominent the red hue. Pure gold is a rich golden hue, whereas pure copper is reddish. Rose gold lies anywhere on the spectrum between the two, depending on its particular makeup. A typical Rose gold alloy is comprised of 75% gold and 25% copper by mass.
Platinum is a rare and valuable metal that can only be discovered in small quantities in a few locations of the world. Platinum's yearly global output is around 160 tons, whereas gold's annual production is 1,500 tons. Because of this, platinum is more costly than other precious metals.
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Platinum has gained in popularity in recent years as a result of its beauty and durability. Platinum is a popular option for engagement ring settings because to its rich, even color and shine, which accentuate the brightness and brilliance of diamonds placed in the metal. Platinum's 90-95 percent purity grade has the added benefit of seldom causing allergic reactions, making it the best metal choice for those with metal or contact allergies.
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Platinum is more resistant to stress than other precious metals. It is also a naturally white metal that naturally retains its brilliant white luster—white gold, on the other hand, which is mixed with alloys to give it its white appearance, loses its white shade and begins to yellow over time; white gold jewelry must be re-plated during its lifetime to maintain its white color, whereas platinum naturally retains its color. Most fine platinum jewelry is composed of 95% platinum and 5% alloys.
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