The diamond is incomparable in the hierarchy of gems. Its elegance has been revered since its discovery.
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 grading system for diamonds is based upon four different elements. Firstly, size will play a large role in the price. This is referred to as the "carat weight," and it is determined on a 100 point scale. The larger the carat weight, the higher the value.
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 number of inclusions as well as their size and tint all factor into the overall clarity score, as do the number and size of surface blemishes. A flawless diamond is at the top end of the clarity scale, referred to as 'pure'. An inexpensive diamond may carry with it the classification of 'heavily included'.
The appearance or absence of these imperfections is a result of how the diamond was formed underground over thousands of years. Since diamonds are often thought of as the symbol of perfection in our society, the more perfect they actually are under the scrutiny of a microscope, the more expensive they become.
Color is the next factor that determines a diamond's overall value. If possible, a diamond should be as clear as water, but this is not always the case. Colors from other gases and minerals around during the time of the diamond's formation may have altered its clean appearance and left the gem tinted.
Diamonds range in color from a designation of "D" to "Z", with "D" being no color at all, and "Z" being a diamond with a color that is deep enough to be very noticeable to the human eye.
Lastly we need to understand the effect of the cut on pricing. The quality of the cut may not be as easy to evaluate for an inexperienced buyer as some of the other factors, but it is nevertheless a critical element as it gives the diamond its sparkle.
"Fire" is the ability to flash and flicker upon sight. Cut varies from "excellent," followed by "good," "average," "commercial," and then irregular. If the diamond is not dazzling, the cut is most likely very poor.
Diamonds are rare, but they are not equally special. Understanding the four important C's of carat, clarity, color and cut that constitute the value of a diamond will direct you towards making a better buying decision.
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 grading system for diamonds is based upon four different elements. Firstly, size will play a large role in the price. This is referred to as the "carat weight," and it is determined on a 100 point scale. The larger the carat weight, the higher the value.
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 number of inclusions as well as their size and tint all factor into the overall clarity score, as do the number and size of surface blemishes. A flawless diamond is at the top end of the clarity scale, referred to as 'pure'. An inexpensive diamond may carry with it the classification of 'heavily included'.
The appearance or absence of these imperfections is a result of how the diamond was formed underground over thousands of years. Since diamonds are often thought of as the symbol of perfection in our society, the more perfect they actually are under the scrutiny of a microscope, the more expensive they become.
Color is the next factor that determines a diamond's overall value. If possible, a diamond should be as clear as water, but this is not always the case. Colors from other gases and minerals around during the time of the diamond's formation may have altered its clean appearance and left the gem tinted.
Diamonds range in color from a designation of "D" to "Z", with "D" being no color at all, and "Z" being a diamond with a color that is deep enough to be very noticeable to the human eye.
Lastly we need to understand the effect of the cut on pricing. The quality of the cut may not be as easy to evaluate for an inexperienced buyer as some of the other factors, but it is nevertheless a critical element as it gives the diamond its sparkle.
"Fire" is the ability to flash and flicker upon sight. Cut varies from "excellent," followed by "good," "average," "commercial," and then irregular. If the diamond is not dazzling, the cut is most likely very poor.
Diamonds are rare, but they are not equally special. Understanding the four important C's of carat, clarity, color and cut that constitute the value of a diamond will direct you towards making a better buying decision.
About the Author:
Learn more about diamonds today. Discover why man made diamonds can be a great alternative to the real thing, and how to recognize fake diamonds so that you don't overpay.
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