The cut of a diamond refers to
the diamond’s shape, dimensions, and proportions. These factors contribute
the most to give a diamond it’s brilliance and sparkle. When a diamond
is cut to certain proportions (recommended proportions change from one shape
to another), it allows for the maximum amount of light to pass into the stone,
reflect off of the facets and bounce back to the eye. If a stone is cut to
deep or too shallow, it allows the light to escape out of the bottom or side
of the diamond, therefore minimizing the diamond’s brilliance.
There are specific proportions
that have been labeled “Ideal” and “Premium” and are noted
on diamond grading certificates. The “Ideal” cut and “Premium”
can command a higher price.
The color of a diamond is actually
based on how “colorless” the stone is. Most diamonds have a trace
of a yellow or brown tint. Diamonds also come in all colors of the rainbow
- pink, blue, orange, red, purple ~ these color are considered highly valuable
due to rarity.
Colorless diamonds are graded
on a scale of "D" to "Z". The standard GIA grading scale
begins at “D” - considered colorless and continues to “Z”
– graded as “light yellow”. Diamonds that fall below the “Z”
grade are considered fancy colors and command higher prices due to the rarity
and intense canary yellow color.
A diamond’s clarity refers
to how “clean” the stone is. This is based on the abscence of natural
imperfections in the diamond. The cleaner the diamond is, the higher the price
per carat. Almost all diamonds have inclusions (internal or external characteristics
that affect cost and appearance). There are diamonds that are graded Flawless
(Fl) or Internally Flawless (IF), these stones are very rare and increase
the cost of the diamond. Keep in mind, you do not need to have a flawless
diamond to have a beautiful diamond.
Most clarity grades are followed
by a number (i.e. SI1, SI2, etc.). These numbers refer to the location and
severity of the inclusion or imperfection in the diamond.
Flawless (FL): No internal or
external inclusions or imperfections visible under 10x magnification.
Internally Flawless (IF): No internal
inclusions or imperfections visible under 10x magnification.
Very Very Slightly Imperfect (VVS1-VVS2):
Very small inclusions or imperfections that are very difficult to see under
10x magnification.
Very Slightly Imperfect (VS1-VS2):
Small inclusions or imperfections that are difficult to see under 10x magnification.
Slightly Imperfect (SI1-SI2):
Inclusions or imperfections that are fairly easy to locate under 10x magnification.
In some cases (larger carat weights) these imperfections may be visible to
the naked eye. The SI3 grade is used only by E.G.L. (European Gemological
Laboratory) as a fine line between the SI and Imperfect (I) grades.
Imperfect (I1-I2-I3): Inclusions
or imperfections that are easily visible to the naked eye. In some cases,
the inclusions can drastically detract from the beauty and brilliance of the
diamond depending on severity and location.
Diamond weight is determined or
measured in “carat” weight. One carat is broken out into 100 “points”.
For example; a .50ct diamond = 50 points, a 1.50ct diamond = 150 points. The
larger the individual diamond, the more costly it becomes due to the rarity
of larger carat weights. So, 10 diamonds weighing 1.00ct are less expensive
than an individual stone equaling 1.00ct. Carat weight has the most prominent
impact on a diamond’s price. Diamond prices are based in carat weight
increments. The “per carat” price of a diamond rises based on specific
quality grading and carat weight of the individual stone. Average diamond
sizes (round brilliant cut):
