The four C's used to determine a diamond value?
CARAT - Carat refers to the weight of a diamond (not the size of the diamond). One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 "points". A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or 3/4 carat diamond. Cut and mounting can make a diamond appear larger (or smaller) than its actual weight.
CLARITY - Clarity refers to the presence of flaws or inclusions in the diamond. Inclusions are the diamond's fingerprint so to speak and may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers. Diamonds are graded for inclusions using a 10x magnification. If under 10x magnification no internal flaws can be seen then the diamond is deemed to be flawless. You will pay a higher price for a diamond with fewer inclusions:-
|
FL - IF |
Flawless/internally flawless |
|
VVS1 - VVS2 |
Very, very small inclusions, very hard to locate under a 10x, unable to see with the unaided eye |
|
VS1-VS2 |
Very slightly included under 10x magnification difficult to see |
|
SI1-SI2 |
Slightly included under 10x magnification easily seen |
|
I 1
I 2
I 3 |
Inclusions immediately recognizable under 10x magnification
Inclusions recognizable by the naked eye
Large or numerous flaws easily visible with the naked eye |
COLOUR - Diamonds are graded for colour by letter the finest white being D and then going down the alphabet as the colour changes to yellow.
|
COLOUR |
|
|
D E |
Blue White |
|
F G |
Fine White |
|
H |
White |
|
I J |
Slightly tinted White |
|
K L |
Tinted White |
|
M N |
Slightly Tinted Yellow |
|
O P |
Weakly Tinted Yellow |
|
Q R |
Tinted Yellow |
|
S - Z |
Yellow |
CUT - The cut refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond, this can make a large difference to the brilliance of a stone. A well cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. If cut too shallow light will escape through the lower part of the stone, thus it's brilliance will be lessened. Likewise, if the diamond is cut too deep too much light will be absorbed and the brilliance depleted again.
