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And the list goes on. In order to choose a high-quality diamond, couples should first educate themselves on the 4 Cs of diamonds before setting foot in a jewelry store.
The 4 Cs of diamonds include cut, color, clarity, and carat. Armed with information about each of these four variables, couples will be able to choose a beautiful diamond they will cherish forever.
Despite what many consumers may think, the first thing to consider when choosing a diamond is not necessarily its size. The cut of the diamond is actually the most important in terms of the beauty of the diamond. Cut does not refer to the shape of the diamond but rather to its proportions. A well-cut diamond will be cut following mathematical proportions to optimize the beauty of the diamond. The cut determines its brilliance and sparkle, the flash a woman wants when she shows off her new ring to her family and friends. It is therefore important to choose a diamond that has been properly cut.
The facets, or flat surfaces, of quality-cut diamonds are symmetrical with good proportions and polish. Light enters a diamond and is reflected off the different facets. If the diamond is cut too shallow or too deep, some of the light may leak out of the sides or bottom. This will result in less shine; light will not dance off diamonds that are poorly cut. While nature determines color, clarity and carat, the cut of a diamond can be altered by man.
Diamond color should be the next thing couples consider. While some people may prefer the look of slightly yellow diamonds, most prefer those with little or no color. Diamonds are graded on a letter scale ranging from D through Z. D refers to a completely colorless diamond and is the most rare and expensive. Grades E and F are also considered colorless but are not as transparent as D. Because of the expense of grades D, E, and F, most people settle for G, H, I, or J diamonds. The color in these diamonds is difficult to see by the untrained eye unless the diamond is surrounded by other diamonds of higher quality. In other words, the average person will not know the difference between one of these near colorless diamonds and the more expensive completely colorless diamonds. Diamonds that are graded K or higher will have a more yellow appearance. In terms of cost, the more yellow the diamond, the less expensive it will be.
Diamond clarity is the next of the 4 Cs to consider. Clarity refers to how many flaws there are in the diamond. Flaws on the surface of the diamond are known as blemishes while internal flaws are called inclusions. Diamonds are graded by looking at them under a loupe, which magnifies the diamond 10 times. The highest quality diamonds are known as F, or flawless and IF, which stands for internally flawless. Both of these types of diamonds are very rare and very expensive.
Diamonds can also be categorized as having very very slight inclusions, very slight inclusions, slight inclusions, and so on. The bottom category contain flaws that can be seen with the naked eye. While it is best to purchase a diamond with as few inclusions as possible, it is also important to realize that an untrained eye will not be able to tell the difference between some of these categories. In other words, if you cannot afford a VVS1 diamond (which would have very very slight inclusions) it probably will look no different to you than a VS2 diamond (which would have very slight inclusions). But most jewelers agree it is best to stay away from any diamonds that contain visible flaws.
The flaws may include chips, cracks, black spots, crystals, or clouds within the diamonds. While some inclusions are merely cosmetic and will not change, others may become more pronounced as time goes by. A little chip or crack now may become bigger or even take over a diamond down the road.
The last of the 4 Cs of Diamonds is carat. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond. One carat equals 1/5 of a gram or 200 milligrams. A five-carat diamond weighs one gram. Carats also have a point system; there are 100 points in one carat, 50 points in a half-carat and so on. Many people feel that the larger the carat the better the diamond. This is not necessarily true. Instead of focusing on a larger diamond, smart shoppers know to consider all four of the Cs together. A large diamond that has poor clarity and color will not be as brilliant as a smaller carat that is of higher quality. One important thing to realize with carats is that two half-carat diamonds will be substantially less money than one full carat of equal quality because larger carats are rarer.
Once a couple is aware of the importance of the 4 Cs of Diamonds, shopping for the perfect engagement ring will be much easier. By paying attention to all of the aspects of the diamond, a beautiful and high-quality diamond will soon be gracing your finger.