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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Need to Know Information When Buying Diamond Jewelry

By Brad Morgan


Diamonds are idolized for their extreme beauty and everlasting durability.

Whether you have experienced buying diamonds for engagement rings before or not, you may be unsure as to why one is worth $3000 while another one is only worth $300. What goes into determining the price of a diamond?

The physical weight of a diamond is referred to as its "carat". The value of a diamond is directly proportional to its size. The larger the diamond, the more valuable it is, because larger diamonds are less common. Greater size makes the diamond more spectacular, and therefore increases the purchase price.

Carat size may push the price up, but only slightly if there is no clarity. Several facets determine clarity on both an internal and external basis. Internal aspects, dubbed inclusions, and external aspects, dubbed blemishes, all contribute to the overall clarity score.

The quantity, type, location, measurement, and tint of its inclusions, or internal facets, as well as its blemishes, or features on the surface, all factor into the clarity. The clarity ranges from the rank of 'pure,' meaning no flaws, to 'heavily included,' meaning that it is seriously damaged.

Therefore the more severely included a diamond is with crystals, feathers, or other types of internal and external flaws, the lower its value. These deformities are due to the cooling process of the diamonds against other materials. Clarity is highly prized, especially in larger carat diamonds where the imperfections are more detectable.

Another important factor when evaluating the worth of a diamond is color. If certain gases were present beneath the earth when the diamond was forming, it may have taken on a distinct color.

The color of a diamond ranges from "D," which is a complete lack of color, to "Z," which is depicts a very noticable coloration. Diamonds are priced highly if they are deeply colored or are exceptionally clear. Hazy, off-colored diamonds are not considered a favorable item, so they are priced lower.

Cut is the final factor in diamond grading. This is an often forgotten element of diamonds, but it is extremely important, as it gives this remarkable stone its ability to come alive.

A diamond that sparkles and glitters can be said to have 'fire'. The actual rating system uses common words like good, average, and irregular. The bottom line though is if you want your diamond to sparkle even in dim light, then you need to make sure the cut is impeccable, and that will cost you more money.

Diamonds are rare, but they are not equally special. Understanding the four important C's of carat, clarity, color and cut that make up the value of a diamond will usher you towards making a better purchase decision.

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