Diamonds. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Posted by darin on Sep 29, 2010 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Just as a dollar is divided into 100 pennies, a carat is divided into 100 points. For example, a 50-point diamond weighs 0.50 carats. But two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the other members of the Four C’s: clarity, color and cut. The majority of diamonds used in fine jewelry weigh one carat or less.

Keep in mind that there are many factors that determine the beauty of a diamond.

We encourage you to visit your local experts to let us show you the differences.

How to Buy a Diamond:

Buying a diamond is a very personal decision.  While not everyone will share the same opinion as to what constitutes beauty, most people want to buy a diamond that expresses their individual taste and personality.

What quality diamond should you look for?  Some people want the largest diamond they can afford; some are more concerned about the color and want a near-colorless gemstone.  Still others are more concerned about a diamond’s clarity.  And all want a diamond that is cut to reveal the beauty of the gemstone.

Diamonds that are large, nearly colorless, completely free of inclusions, and cut with care to reveal the gemstone’s beauty are rare and, therefore, costly.  Nonetheless, beautiful diamonds are available at prices to fit most budgets.  Your American Gem Society jeweler can assist you in choosing the best certified diamond to suit your taste and your finances.

Before buying a diamond, be sure to look at our Diamond Buying Guide so that you know what to look for and consider.

When you shop with an American Gem Society member firm, you can rest assured that you will be assisted by educated and concerned jewelers who will help you select the best gemstone for you or your loved one.

THE SCIENCE OF DIAMONDS.

While not everyone will share the same opinion as to what constitutes beauty, most people want a diamond that expresses their individual taste and personality. Here’s what you should consider first, however, before buying a diamond:

Cut. Of all the 4 Cs, cut has the greatest effect on a diamond’s beauty.  In grading, cut evaluates the cutters skill in the fashioning of the diamond.

Diamonds have a unique ability to manipulate light efficiently. This unique ability can be released and maximized only by cutting and polishing the diamond to an extremely high level of accuracy. The American Gem Society Cut Grading System considers not only the proportions of a diamond, but also the craftsmanship of its overall symmetry and polish. It is unique in that it uses the latest in technology to analyze the cut’s impact on the diamond’s light performance.

Color. A truly colorless diamond is extremely rare.  Most diamonds possess varying degrees of yellow or brown and small, subtle differences in color can make a substantial difference in value. If a diamond is well cut, the diamond’s refraction and dispersion often will disguise certain degrees of coloration. Unless a diamond is a fancy color (or any color other than colorless to light yellow or brown), the American Gem Society Color Grading System places it on a 0 to 10 scale, 0 being colorless. To accurately and consistently grade color, an American Gem Society experienced grader will utilize special lighting to compare the diamond being graded to a set of American Gem Society Master Color Comparison Diamonds, which have met exacting standards of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Clarity. Clarity is the evaluation of a diamond’s internal and external characteristics. The fewer inclusions or blemishes, the more desirable the diamond. Inclusions are internal, that is, inside the diamond. Crystals are merely minerals trapped inside the diamond; feathers are breaks in the diamond. Blemishes are usually very small and are only on the surface of diamonds. To locate these tiny characteristics, an American Gem Society member jeweler will use a binocular microscope that magnifies the diamond ten times. Then, evaluating the size, location, nature, number, and color of all the inclusions and blemishes, a clarity grade from 0-10 is assigned – 0 being flawless or internally flawless.

Carat. The standard used to measure diamond weight is the carat.  A carat equals 1/5 of a gram (or 1/142 of an ounce).  Each carat is further divided into points, each point representing 1/100th of a carat. While weight may be the least important of the four Cs in determining value, it may be the easiest of the four Cs to gauge accurately and is the most objective. As diamonds increase in size, their cost tends to increase geometrically. Thus, a one-carat diamond may cost more than twice as much as a one-half carat stone of equal quality. Also, as previously stated, weight does not always enhance the value of a diamond. In fact, when a diamond is improperly cut, added weight may serve only to reduce its brilliance. For these reasons, you should consult with an American Gem Society titleholder regarding the question of carat weight.