Let’s Talk Diamonds
Over one million rough diamonds must be mined before one is found that can be cut into a 1.00 carat finished diamond. Because large diamonds are so rare, they generally have a greater value per carat. If all other factors are equal, the heavier the diamond, the greater its cost will be. For example, the price of a two-carat stone will be several times higher than four 50-pointers of equal quality.
Carat Weight
Diamond weight is measured in carats, a small unit of measurement equal to 200 milligrams. Each carat is divided into 100 points. Therefore, a half-carat stone may be referred to as a “50-pointer” or “50-points”. Carat weight is the easiest of the 4 C’s for gemologists to determine due to the use of highly sophisticated measuring equipment.
Diamond Clarity
Most diamonds have unique clarity characteristics, much like a fingerprint. These distinguishing characteristics can be classified as inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are enclosed within a diamond or extend into the diamond from its surface while blemishes. Some are confined to the diamond’s surface. When light enters a diamond, it is reflected in and refracted out. If anything disrupts the flow of light through the diamond, such as an inclusion, a proportion of the light reflected may be lost. This effect can detract from the pure beauty of the diamond.
Diamond Color
Diamond Color is one of the most important factors to consider, and because it is most noticed by the naked eye. A diamond’s color is graded by GIA on an alphabetical scale from D to K, with D being absolutely colorless and K being light yellow. Although many diamonds appear to be colorless, some have at least a hint of body color.
Diamond Cut
A diamond’s cut is considered to be the most important of the four Cs. It is important to understand how a diamond’s proportions and the relationship between them affects its brilliance. The width and depth have the greatest effect on how light travels within the diamond, and also how light exits the diamond in the form of brilliance.
...to sum it up
If a Diamond has good Clarity, good Color (or lack of color) and is Cut, and proportioned correctly… the light enters the diamond and travels back at the same rate of speed. This is what gives a diamond its brilliance!
There is much you can learn, and even more I can tell you about diamonds, but this is just a simple lesson. You now have the basic knowledge and understanding so we sit and discuss what you want in a diamond engagement ring. After you have selected your diamond, you now have the opportunity to make it your very own original design Let’s create something that will match her personality!