How do you buy a diamond knowing that you are getting the best deal for the money you are shelling out? The craftsmanship and design of the diamond factor in the weight ratio, the thickness of the stone’s girdle, the quality of the polish, and the symmetry of the facet arrangement.
GIA is the first organization to create standards for describing these rare stones. The 4Cs – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight was developed by GIA and later became a globally accepted norm. Unlocking the mystery of diamond analysis will help you choose the best diamond the next time you shop for these beauties.
Diamond’s cut: Unleashing the light within
Diamonds are loved for their matchless ability to transmit sparkle and brilliance. The shape and cut of a diamond are often confused but the cut grade primarily deals with how beautifully the facets of the stone interact with light. It requires artistry and precision to carve a stone in a manner that its symmetry, proportion, and polish showcase an incredible return of light.
The cut of a diamond plays a critical role in the finesse and value of a diamond and is therefore given importance in all diamonds buying guide. GIA evaluates the proportions of a diamond’s cut to assess the extent to which the stone will be able to interact with light. These are:
- Fire: It refers to the scattered white light into the seven colors of the rainbow.
- Brightness: It is the internal as well as the external white light reflected from the stone.
- Scintillation: It is the amount of brilliance radiated by the stone along with the pattern of light and dark zones produced from the reflections.
Diamond’s carat weight: Measuring the apparent size
The carat weight of a diamond, as shown by GIA, is the measure of the diamond’s weight. It’s worth noting here that a metric carat is equal to 200 mg. One carat can be broken down into centum points and a jeweler might describe the diamond weight in points for stones weighing under one carat.
Even though other factors might be the same, the price of the stone might increase with the carat weight of the stone. But two diamonds having equal carat weight may have different pricing and value based on the three other factors as proposed by GIA. This is because the price of a stone is determined by all the factors and inclusions within the stone rather than its weight only.
Diamond’s color: How true is it to colorlessness
When going through any diamonds buying guide, you will see that the color of a diamond actually refers to the absence of color. A structurally perfect and chemically pure diamond shows no color just like pure water and therefore holds more value. The D to the Z grading system of GIA shows the level of colorlessness by holding the diamond under specialized lighting and controlled viewing conditions. You will be surprised to see the subtle distinctions shown by the stones which are absolutely invisible to the naked eye. But these distinctions and inclusions make a huge difference in the quality and price of the stone.
Diamond’s clarity: Inclusions and blemishes within the stone
Be it a natural diamond or a lab-grown stone, they are formed by the result of a carbon seed exposed to tremendous pressure and heat. It can result in a variety of internal traits known as inclusions along with external distinctive features termed blemishes. Assessment of diamond clarity involves determining the size, relief, nature, number, and position of these unique characteristics along with how they impact the appearance of the stone. Even though no stone is precisely pure, the closer it is to colorlessness, the higher will be its value.
Final words
Every piece of diamond is unique and rare that comes with some specific traits to determine its value. Now that you have gone through the diamonds buying guide, you should know that till the fag end of the 19th century, there was no internationally accepted standard for evaluating the value of diamonds. GIA designed the first set of standards for describing diamonds and today, it can help you land a piece that can stand the test of time and be treasured as an heirloom.
