Buying a Diamond

Did you know?

There are 4 C's that determine the value of a diamond. To establish a diamond's quality, jeweler's examine each of the 4C's: Cut, Clarity, Carat Weight, & Color. The combination of the 4C's determines the value of a particular diamond.

CUT

The better the cut, the more brilliant the diamond. A well cut or faceted diamond, regardless of its shape, twinkles with fire and light - offering the greatest brilliance and value. While nature determines a diamonds clarity, carat weight, and color, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release the stone's true beauty, allowing light to reflect from one mirror-like facet to another.

CLARITY

The purer a diamond, the more brilliant. The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare. Virtually all nautral diamonds contain identifying characteristics, yet many are invisible to the naked eye. Under a 10x magnifying microscopem natural phenomena - called inclusions - may be seen. Diamonds categorized as flawless reveal no such inclusions.



CARAT WEIGHT

The larger the diamond, the rarer it is. Larger Diamonds are rarely found in nature. What also makes a bigger diamond so desireable is that it shows off a stone's fine color and cut, and therefore its brilliance, to its best advantage. A diamonds size is measured in carat weight, and each carat is equal to 100 points. A.75 carat diamond is the same as a 75 point diamond or a 3/4 carat stone.

COLOR

The more pure the color in a diamond, the more rare the diamond. Diamonds are graded by color, starting at D and continuing throught alphabet. Truly colorless stones, (graded D)are treasured for their rarity and value.