Diamonds

Choosing a diamond is a very personal decision. While not everyone will share the same opinion, most people will get more enjoyment from a high-quality diamond than from a low quality one, regardless of size.

What quality diamond should you buy? Any diamond buying guide will tell you that beautiful diamonds can fit almost all budgets. Diamond grades are based mostly on rarity factors – the more exceptional the diamond, the higher the price. The precise criteria for how to buy a diamond is done by evaluating the quality of a diamond is commonly known as The Four Cs – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Cut
Of all the 4 Cs, cut has the greatest effect on a diamond’s beauty. In determining the quality of the cut, the grader evaluates the cutter’s skill in the fashioning of the diamond; technology assesses the diamond’s light performance. The more precise the cut, the more captivating the diamond is to the eye.

Color
Gem-quality diamonds occur in many hues. In the range from colorless to light yellow or light brown, diamonds are compared to Master Color-Comparison Diamonds under controlled conditions. Colorless diamonds are the rarest. Other natural colors are known as fancy – their color grading is unique.

Clarity
Diamonds can have internal characteristics known as inclusions or external characteristics known as blemishes. When grading clarity, the grader uses magnification and specific lighting and considers the effect these characteristics have on the diamonds appearance and/or durability. Diamonds without inclusions or blemishes are rare; however, most characteristics can only be seen with magnification.

Carat
The carat is the diamond’s physical weight measured in metric carats. One carat equals 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. Carat weight is the most objective of the 4 Cs. It involves no estimates, comparisons or judgments.

The Fifth C: Confidence
When you shop smart — with an American Gem Society jeweler — you will feel confident in your decision. You know that the jeweler is qualified to describe the characteristics of your diamond, so you could make the choice that is right for you.