A diamond is an astonishing and rare gem. Before the dinosaurs began to roam the earth, they were formed in nature due to a dizzying journey of formation, each in the capsule of its own stone. It was formed deep in the earth’s core, under high heat and pressure, in rising lava melts, traveling from the depths of the world to the earth’s surface at extreme speed.
They were buried under the ground where they were waiting to be discovered once again, exposed to the wrath of mother nature on earth in the forms of water, wind, and extreme right shock. Only a small number of these precious stones have survived this incredible journey. And only a small fraction of those that do and can be found are of the quality and size suitable for cutting, polishing, and jewelry making.
The diamond is truly one of nature’s miracles. Diamonds have fascinated humanity for centuries. Not only because they are rare and beautiful but also because they are magical. They cannot be cut with any tools, mysteriously unharmed by even the fiercest fire, leading to the belief that diamonds have supernatural powers.
What is a Diamond Carat?
Although a carat is generally known to many as the size of a diamond, the main thing is the weight of the stone. The term carat, which is used to determine the weight of the diamond or stone, is a word specific to the diamond industry. People often assume that the size of a diamond is synonymous with its carat weight, but this is not true. The fact that its weight is more does not mean that its size will be that large because other factors affect the value of the diamond.
A carat is one-fifth of a gram. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. One carat represents 100 points, and 0.25 carats represents 25 points. Size is an important factor in diamond valuation, but two equally sized diamonds can cost very differently depending on their quality.
Understanding the 4Cs: The Ultimate Diamond Guide
There are four main features to consider when choosing a quality diamond. These dimensions called 4C;
- Carat
- Clarity
- Color
- Cut
Cut
Diamond cut is a feature related to the symmetry and dimensions of the stone. The cut determines the ability of the diamond to sparkle and refract light. Although the stone has perfect color and clarity, this is a feature that should be given importance as it will display a dull appearance with a poor cut. Because the better the cut, the better the diamond will shine. The light entering from one surface of the diamond cut in the right proportions is reflected from the other surface and dispersed and radiated from the upper part called the “crown.” If the cut is too deep, some of the light escapes from the lower part of the diamond, called the “cone.” If the cut is not deep enough, it causes the light to escape from the cone and causes the diamond not to shine enough.
The famous diamond expert, Saul Spero, explains that as a result of his research with people who bought diamonds for 25 years, which type of woman prefers a diamond as follows:
- Round: loyal to his family, reliable, calm
- Marquise: Extroverted, aggressive, creative businesswoman.
- Drop: Gentle, respectful, harmonious.
- Emerald: Disciplined, conservative, honest.
- Oval: Creative, organized, seizing opportunities.
- Heart: Emotional, feminine, sensitive.
Carat
Carat is the unit of measurement that expresses the weight of the diamond. In India, where the diamond was first found, the carob kernel is taken primarily, and 1 carat weighs 200 milligrams (i.e., one-fifth of a gram).
In the jewelry industry, stones weighing less than 1 carat are generally sold. One carat is determined as 100 points. A half carat is 50 points and is written as 0.50 ct.
Size is an essential factor in diamond valuation, but two equally sized diamonds can cost very differently depending on their quality. The fact that two different diamonds have the same carat weight does not necessarily mean that they are of the same price.
Color
Diamonds are formed under extreme heat and pressure, and during this formation, particles of other elements can also be included in the atomic structure of diamonds, thus creating a variety of colors. These granules are so small that they are expressed as “one in a million.” The diamond progresses from dark yellow to a vibrant, bright white. Diamonds are classified based on how close they are to colorless.
The rarest and whitest ones are D, E, F, and G. But mostly diamonds are between H and L.
Diamonds between M and Z have a visible yellow tone. Diamonds in K-Z values will show their yellow color more strikingly and shine less when used with white gold or platinum.
To understand the color of the diamond, you will buy and ask the colorimeter for a printout. Compare with other diamonds and make sure its certification is correct.
D: Completely Colorless. The best quality diamond color is very rare.
E – F: Colorless. However, they contain very light hues that gemologists can determine. rare
G-H: Almost colorless. Classes that are perceived as white, the hue of which cannot be understood unless they are compared with whiter diamonds. The highest quality/price ratio.
I-J: Almost colorless. The latest colorless grades with a warm tone that can be noticed when viewed carefully with the naked eye are very affordable compared to top grades.
K-Z: Colorful.
Clarity
Almost all diamonds contain “tiny particles of pure carbon” as building blocks. These particles turn each diamond into a rare, unique stone and are called “inclusions.” The clarity feature distinguishes each diamond completely from the others. No two diamonds can have the same inclusion in the same place. Large laboratories such as the GIA and HRD also have five factors used to determine the clarity grade of a diamond.
FL, IF Flawless, flawless. A class of diamonds with no flaws inside or out. It is very rare.
VVS1, VVS2 Few flaws are very hard to see with a magnifying glass. It represents an excellent quality.
VS1, VS2 Class with a certain number of defects that can only be seen with a magnifying glass. The most preferred clarity class.
SI1 and SI2 Defects can be easily seen with a magnifying glass; sometimes, they may contain some imperfections that can be seen with the naked eye. An economical choice
Stones with many defects are seen in I1, I2, and I3.
Choosing the Right Diamond Size and Color
The diamond should have a perfect balance of size and quality. Once you have decided on the size of your budget, then the next thing is to determine how big you want your diamond ring to be.
If you want to give a diamond as a gift to your girlfriend or wife, you need to buy a bigger and high-quality diamond. The price of the diamond does not depend upon its size; it depends upon its other important characteristics, including carat weight, color, clarity, and cut.
