All About Diamonds

Diamond, the birthstone for April, is the hardest gemstone a 10 on the hardness scale. This characteristic makes it a perfect stone for engagement and wedding rings. It is a stone that can be worn everyday and passed down for many generations. It is true when they say, “A Diamond is forever”. No other gemstone can withstand the test of time as well as a diamond.

Diamonds come in many different colors, the most popular being different shades of white. Diamonds are also found in fancy shades of pink, blue, yellow, orange, brown and even black. A natural color pink, blue or yellow diamond is so rare that usually only the extremely wealthy can own one. Orange and brown diamonds are more affordable, in fact usually less expensive than white diamonds. There are also irradiated diamonds that are available in all of the fancy colors for a fraction of the price of naturals. Remember an irradiated diamond is still a natural diamond, its just color enhanced to bring out more of the natural beauty of the stone.  Don’t be afraid to experiment with colored diamonds and express your individuality.

The 4 C’s:
Carat Weight:
Diamonds are graded based on a standardized scale that is recognized all over the world. It is broken down in to the 4 C’s, Carat weight, Clarity, Color and Cut. A carat is divided into 100 equal parts. Your diamond’s exact weight has been determined on an electronic balance of remarkable accuracy. Here is an example of different carat weights:

¼ = .25 ct
½ = .50 ct
¾ = .75 ct
1  = 1.00 ct

Clarity:
The clarity of a diamond is determined by the size, location and type of inclusions found in the stone. They also assist in identification of your stone. No two diamonds are alike in terms of the layout or map of inclusions. You should see your diamond under magnification and locate and record the position of each inclusion so you can later identify your diamond. If your diamond comes with a certification by an independent laboratory it will map the stone out for you.

Color:
The color of a diamond is determined by comparing it to a Master Guide of diamonds.

The Master Guide color scale starts at the letter D, colorless or absence of color. As you go up the scale the color of the diamond is more noticeably yellow. Fancy color diamonds are not graded on this scale they are graded on the intensity of their color. For example, F = fancy, I = intense, L = light and V = very. A diamond cert might read, FVIB, which stands for Fancy Very Intense Blue. The more intense the fancy color is the more rare and valuable the diamond.

Cut: