Diamond Education

The majority of diamonds that are mined are in a range of pale yellow or brown color that is termed the normal color range. Diamonds that are of intense yellow or brown, or any other color are called fancy color diamonds. Diamonds that are of the very highest purity are totally colorless, and appear a bright white. The degree to which diamonds exhibit body color is one of the four value factors by which diamonds are assessed.Grading the Normal Color Range refers to a grading scale for diamonds in the normal color range used by internationally recognized laboratories (GIA for example). The scale ranges from D which is totally colorless to Z which is a pale yellow or brown color. Diamonds in the normal color range are graded loose, with the table facet facing downward and pavilion side upwards. When color grading is done in the mounting, other techniques will apply and the grade will usually be expressed as a range (for example F-G) “D” color has a unique “icy” look to it. Diamonds that rate toward the colorless end of the range are sometimes known as “high-color” diamonds, and those toward the other end, “low-color” diamonds. These terms refer to the relative desirability (as demonstrated by market prices) of color grades, not the intensity of the color itself.

These are called inclusions, and include surface defects called blemishes. Inclusions may be crystals of a foreign material orstructural imperfections such as tiny cracks that can appear whitish or cloudy.The number, size, color, relative location, orientation, and visibility of inclusions can all affect the relative clarity of a diamond.

A clarity grade is assigned based on the overall appearance of the stone less than 10x magnification.Most inclusions present in gem-quality diamonds do not affect the diamonds’ performance or structural integrity. However, large clouds can affect a diamond’s ability to transmit and scatter light.

Large cracks close to or breaking the surface may reduce a diamond’s resistance to fracture.Diamonds with higher clarity grades are more valued, with the exceedingly rare “flawless” graded diamond fetching the highest price. Minor inclusions or blemishes are useful, as they can be used as unique identifying marks analogous to fingerprints. In addition, as synthetic diamond technology improves and distinguishing between natural and synthetic diamonds becomes more difficult, inclusions or blemishes can be used as proof of natural origin.

The carat weight measures the mass of a diamond. One carat is defined as 200 milligrams. The point unit-equal to one-hundredth of a carat (0.01 carat, OR 2 MG) is commonly used for diamonds less than one carat. All else being equal, the price per carat increases with the carat weight, as larger diamonds are both rarer and more desirable for use as gemstones.

The price per carat does not increase smoothly with increasing size. Instead, there are sharp jumps around milestone carat weights, as demand is much higher for diamonds weighing just more than a milestone than for those weighing just less. As an example, a 0.95 carat diamond may have a significantly lower price per carat than a comparable 1.05 carat diamond, because of differences in demand and due to the rarity of finding gem quality diamonds in larger sizes.

Seeing that the experience of choosing one’ s engagement ring is full of so many emotions and feelings as well as completely overwhelming, it is so important that when it comes down to choosing the right one, you as the couple have the utmost confidence in your diamond expert and jeweler. In turn, we, as your jewelers are very confident that we, will assist you in choosing the perfect, magical diamond that will be so beautifully suited.