Cut
When you think of the cut, you probably think of the shape of the diamond.
You are partially correct. While cut does refer to shape, it also refers
to the proportions of how the diamond is actually cut.
Diamonds are cut into many different shapes, reflecting not only popular
taste but the proportions and quality of the rough diamond. The most popular
shapes include Round, Oval, Square, Princess, Emerald, Baquette, and Marquise
cuts. Many specialty shapes are also available.
A diamond's overall proportions, as well as the size and placement of its many
reflective surfaces or facets, also play a large part in "cut." The consistency
and balance of these can greatly affect how the stone captures light and reflects
it back to the eye.
Color
With the exception of some fancy colored diamonds, the most valuable
diamonds are those with the least color. The color scale for transparent
diamonds runs from D-F (colorless), G-J (near colorless), K-L (faint yellow),
to Z (light yellow). Completely colorless diamonds are rare.
When diamonds are formed with traces of other minerals, rare and beautiful
colors can result. These "fancy" colors range from blue to brilliant yellow to
red, brown, pale green, pink, and violet. Because of their rarity, colored
diamonds are highly desirable and may be quite valuable.
|
D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
I
|
J
|
K
|
L
|
M
|
N
|
O
|
P
|
Q
|
R
|
S
|
T
|
U
|
V
|
W
|
X
|
Y
|
Z
|
Z+
|
| Colorless
|
Near Colorless
|
Faint Yellow
|
Very Light Yellow
|
Light Yellow
|
Fancy
|
Clarity
A diamond's clarity is measured by the existence, or absence,
of visible flaws. Tiny surface blemishes or internal inclusions
-- even those seen only under magnification with a jeweler's
loupe -- can alter the brilliance of the diamond and, thus,
effect its value. Clarity levels begin with Flawless (F & IF)
and move down to Very Very Slight (VVS1 & 2), Very Slight
(VS1 & 2), Slightly Included (SI1 & 2), and Included
(I1, 2 & 3).
|
FL, IF Diamonds
|
Flawless: No internal or external flaws Internally Flawless: No internal
flaws
|
|
VVS1, VVS2 Diamonds
|
Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see inclusions under
10% magnification.
|
|
VS1, VS2 Diamonds
|
Very Slightly included: Inclusions are not typically visible to the
unaided eye.
|
|
SI1, SI2 Diamonds
|
Slightly included: Inclusions are visible under 10× magnification and
may be visible to the unaided eye.
|
|
I1, I2, I3 Diamonds
|
Included: Inclusions are visible with the unaided eye.
|
Carat Weight
The size of a diamond is measured, not by its
dimensions, but by weight. One carat, the traditional unit of
measure for diamonds, is equal to approximately 0.2 grams. You may
also hear the weight of a diamond referred to in points. A point
is equal to 1/100 of a carat; therefore, a 75-point diamond equals
0.75 carat. Diamonds of equal weight may appear slightly different
in size, depending on their depth and proportions. Because they are
quite rare, larger diamonds of gem quality are much more valuable.
