A diamond has long been revered as the ultimate symbol of lasting love because of it's purity and ageless beauty.
As an admirer of diamonds for engagement rings, whether past, present or future, one may wonder why there is such variation in price from store to store. What characteristics constitute a $5,000 diamond versus one that costs only $500?
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.
After carat weight is obtained, the next aspect that can cause price deviation is the clarity. You can determine the clarity of a particular diamond by a number of features. The term inclusions refers to imperfections inside the diamond, while blemishes refer to imperfections on the surface.
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.
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.
There is a scale of coloration that ranges from "D," where no color is present, to "Z," where color is easily visible. There is a spectrum known as "beyond Z," where the colors are rich and vibrant within the diamond and are referred to as fancy colors.
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.
To view a diamond from the point of view of the cut is to investigate whether or not it has any 'fire'. Like the other criteria for grading, the cut has it's own grading scale that goes from excellent to irregular. If the diamond doesn't knock your socks off then it likely has not been cut very well.
Diamonds are rare, but they are not equally special. Understanding the four important C's of carat, clarity, color and cut that represent the value of a diamond will usher you towards making a better buying decision.
As an admirer of diamonds for engagement rings, whether past, present or future, one may wonder why there is such variation in price from store to store. What characteristics constitute a $5,000 diamond versus one that costs only $500?
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.
After carat weight is obtained, the next aspect that can cause price deviation is the clarity. You can determine the clarity of a particular diamond by a number of features. The term inclusions refers to imperfections inside the diamond, while blemishes refer to imperfections on the surface.
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.
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.
There is a scale of coloration that ranges from "D," where no color is present, to "Z," where color is easily visible. There is a spectrum known as "beyond Z," where the colors are rich and vibrant within the diamond and are referred to as fancy colors.
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.
To view a diamond from the point of view of the cut is to investigate whether or not it has any 'fire'. Like the other criteria for grading, the cut has it's own grading scale that goes from excellent to irregular. If the diamond doesn't knock your socks off then it likely has not been cut very well.
Diamonds are rare, but they are not equally special. Understanding the four important C's of carat, clarity, color and cut that represent the value of a diamond will usher you towards making a better buying decision.
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Learn more about diamonds now. Discover why man made diamonds can be a great alternative to the real thing, and how to recognize fake diamonds before you pay too much.
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