Education
Diamond Education
Gemstone value is based on a combination of features, sometimes called value factors. As with other gemstones, diamonds with certain qualities are more rare-and more valuable- than diamonds that lack them. Diamond professionals use a special set of four value factors to describe and classify diamonds: Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat Weight. These are known as the Four C’s. When used together, they describe the quality of a finished diamonds, which is directly related to its value.
DiamondClarity
Diamonds have internal features, called inclusions, and surface irregularities, called blemishes. Together, they’re called Clarity Characteristics. Clarity is the relative absence of inclusions and blemishes.
Flawless Diamond- the top grade in the GIA Clarity grading system. Diamonds graded flawless don’t have visible inclusions or blemished when examined under 10-power magnification by a skilled experienced grader. These diamonds are extremely rare.
Internally Flawless- Shows no inclusions when examined by an experienced grader using 10x magnification. It does however, have some minor blemishes. These diamonds are extremely rare.
Very Very Slightly Included-VVS diamonds contain minute inclusions that are difficult even for experienced graders to see under 10x magnification.
Very Slightly Included- VS Diamonds contain small or minor inclusions observed with effort under 10x magnification. VS diamonds typically have small included crystals, small clouds, or small feathers.
Slightly Included- SI diamonds contain inclusions that are noticeable to an experienced grader under 10x magnification. Typically these are clouds, included crystals, knots, cavities, and feathers.
Included- I range Diamonds contain inclusions that are obvious under 10x magnification. They might contain large feathers or large included Crystals.
Diamond Color- The GIA Color Scale is the most widely used diamond color grading system in the world. Color Grades range from D-Z. Each letter represents a range of color that’s based on a combination of ton- darkness or lightness – and saturation. D-E-F are colorless diamonds. G-H-I-J are near colorless. K-L-M are faint. N-O-P-Q-R are very light. S-Z are light.
Diamond Cut- The way a diamond is cut can affect its clarity, and even its color. Cut governs the interaction between a diamond and the light around it, and the interaction determines the diamonds overall appearance.
Diamond Carat Weight- The international unit of measurement for gem weight. A diamond’s carat weight and dimensions influence it value.
***information supplied by the Gemological Institute of America*****