Selecting Just the Right Diamond
15 Aug 2007
Diamonds: Concepts, Considerations and Clarity -
Selecting Just the Right Diamond
Part 1 of 3
There is nothing that says "love" like a diamond. But buying a diamond can be a daunting task for the uninitiated. How much money can you afford to spend? What color of diamond are you looking for? What about size - Large, small, or in between? And that is just the beginning. Purchasing a diamond often accompanies an important event or stage in life, and this is especially true of the first diamond one purchases- I’m obviously thinking of diamond engagement rings or diamond settings to mark specific anniversaries. The following article is designed to walk you through the initial process and create a bit of a "diamond comfort level" - so that you can get what you want at a cost that makes sense.
Selecting the Right Diamond For Your Needs
When selecting the perfect diamond for your needs, there are 7 keys to consider. They are, in the order they will be presented - not order of importance: The four C’s of diamond grading - Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat Weight; whether the diamond has Certification; the diamond Shape; and what sort of Setting you want to put the diamond in. No one of these factors is significantly more important in selecting a specific diamond because you will want different characteristics for different purposes. The other obvious factor when you are considering purchasing a diamond is how much money you are able to spend on it, and we will assist you as well a bit later on the topic of diamond buying. First, let's be sure that we are "on the same page" by defining some aspect of diamonds.
A brief glossary of diamond structure:
· Table - the large, flat facet on top
· Crown - the upper portion of the diamond, above the girdle
· Girdle - the thin rim around the widest diameter which separates the crown from the pavilion
· Pavilion - the lower portion of the diamond, below the girdle
· Culet - the very small facet at the pointy bottom of a diamond
· Diameter - the widest measurement across a diamond, found at the girdle
· Depth - the total height of a diamond, from table to culet
The Cut of the Diamond
A diamond’s shape and cut are not the same thing. Let that sink in a moment... The cut refers to the quality of the work which gave the diamond its shape and makes a significant difference in the appearance. When light enters a diamond it enters through the table (the top facet) and travels through the pavilion (the lower half of the diamond) reflecting back and forth between the many facets before exiting again through the table. Because the cut determines the way the diamond reflects light, a high quality cut results in a more brilliant diamond. The better the reflective properties, the better the fire in the diamond.
Good proportions in a diamond is the key to a good cut. The most important proportions are how the depth compares to the diameter and how the diameter compares to the diameter of the table. An Ideal Cut diamond is cut in such a way so as to maximize the brilliance. Ideal Cut diamonds do have the most sparkle, but they also have the highest price for the carat weight because there are other cuts that retain more weight while losing some of the beauty. Premium cut diamonds are very close to ideal cuts and are often equal to ideal cuts in sparkle and appearance, though usually a little lower in price.
Very Good cut diamonds are cut to create a good deal of brilliance, and along with Good cut diamonds, they reflect most of the light that enters them. Very Good diamonds might still have similar dimensions as Premium or Ideal cut diamonds, but Good cut diamonds begin to the look a bit different because the cut was probably made to retain as much of the rough diamond’s weight as opposed to giving it the most brilliant cut. You'll find that both Good and Very Good cut diamonds offer excellent quality in a lower price range.
Less light is reflected in both Fair and Poor cut diamonds than any of the above cuts and are almost certainly cut to maximize size. It is up to you to determine which diamond qualities are most important for the diamond you want, the sacrifice in quality does come with a break in price.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity refers to whether a diamond has any marks of imperfection in the material used or the finishing. Blemishes are flaws on the surface and could be scratches, chips, or pits. Inclusions are internal flaws and include air bubbles, cracks, or different materials that were included when the diamond formed. In actual diamond grading, all flaws are referred to as inclusions.
Grading diamonds for clarity is done under a 10x loupe jeweler’s microscope, and it is only in the lowest 3 grades (Included 1-3) that flaws are visible to the naked eye. Flaws found in all the other grades (from Flawless to Slightly Included) are invisible to the naked eye, and the grade affects the value of the gem more than the actual appearance.
Flawless (F) diamonds are exactly that - flawless - and they are extremely rare and because of that they are also quite expensive. Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds have no inclusions and only the slightest of surface blemish. IF diamonds are also very rare and expensive. Very Very Slightly Included diamonds comes in two grades, VVS1 and VVS2, and their inclusions are quite hard to detect, even using a powerful microscope. VS1 and VS2, or Very Slightly Included, diamonds have flaws but they are still difficult to detect under the 10x magnification. Slightly Included diamonds, in both grades S1 and S2, have flaws that are more easily detectable under magnification, but they are still perfect in appearance without magnification. Included - I1, I2, and I3 - quality diamonds have flaws that are visible with the naked eye.
Obviously, the higher grade the diamond the more expensive, and anything above I1-I3 is going to be quite similar in appearance. It is generally accepted that VS and VVS grade diamonds provide the most bang for the buck. They are visually beautiful though less expensive than F or IF grade stones.
In part 2 we will discuss diamond color, carat weight, the importance of certification, and the various diamond shapes.
About the Author:
Kirby Hamilton loves diamond (his wife reminds him often). He's also the webmaster for a moving and relocation website where he assists visitors to find the just the right moving boxes, shipping companies, rental trucks, supplies to get organized, and of course bubble wrap, moving tape and moving supplies when they move from your homes or businesses.
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