Diamond Quality Is Determined By The Four Cs by Grace Jennings


If you love diamonds, you need to understand the four Cs before making any more purchases. The price you pay depends upon four basic quality factors including cut, color, clarity and carat size.


You need to be able to examine a diamond closely so that you can judge its quality. After you purchase your diamond, you'll need to take care of it so that it remains as lustrous as when you first bought it.


Diamond Cuts


A diamond's cut takes into account two aspects of its appearance, its make and shape. A diamond's shape can vary significantly, but on the whole, a round brilliant cut is the one that is the most desirable. This type of cut is made with 58 facets, which gives the diamond a brilliant luster. Princess, radiant and marquise cuts are also of higher value than other types of cuts.


A diamond cut's make determines the quality or craft of the workmanship performed. Therefore, if a diamond has a better make, it has better sparkle and fully brings out all of the diamond's best qualities. This heavily influences a diamond's beauty.


Color And Diamonds


When we think of diamonds, we usually think of clear, brilliant diamonds, but in fact diamonds come in a wide range of colors. A diamond's color is determined within a range that is denoted by an alphabetical list ranging from D to X. D is the whitest of diamonds, while fancy yellow diamonds are given an S notation. E and F diamonds are considered beautiful and of excellent quality, while J and M are considered desirable colors for larger diamonds. Diamonds that are brown, blue, red, pink or green are usually diamonds that have been treated with radiation.


Clarity Of A Diamond


Clarity is an important component to diamond quality. The most desirable diamonds are flawless or perfectly clear, both inside and on their surfaces. Next in quality are diamonds that are internally flawless, but that have some minor blemishes on the surface. If diamonds have inclusions so that they are less clear, or if the inclusions can be seen with the naked eye, they rank lowest on clarity scales.


Diamond Carat Weight


A diamond's carats will tell you how big it is. Of the four diamond qualities, a diamond's carat is considered last because a diamond's cut, clarity and color are considered to be more important. However, a diamond's size and weight also influences how much you can be charged for it.


Points are used to measure carat weight with one carat equalling 100 points, a half carat 50, etc. Price is determined to levels as low as 5 to 10 points, so the weight measurement is critical to know.


Understanding the four Cs of dertimining diamond quality will enable you to be a smart shopper and find the best diamond value for your money. You'll be able to get a lot of quality at a fair price.

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