Diamond Engagement Rings, Diamonds and Fine Wedding Jewelry - Perfect Diamonds
Buying Diamonds For Cut, Carat And Clarity
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We've all heard that cut, carat and clarity are important considerations when buying a diamond, but most of us have no idea what that really means. In this article, we will give you a little explanation of each so that you can be armed with a bit of knowledge the next time you buy a diamond.
Diamond Carats
Diamonds are measured in carat weight which stems from an old form of measurement involving carob beans. At one time, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was considered one carob or one carat. Today, the measurements are a bit more precise and one carat is 200 milligrams.
You may also have heard a diamonds weight referred to as grains which stems from another ancient form of measurement. In the far east, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If the weight equaled 4 grains of rice it was called four grains - or one carat as we know it to be now.
When buying diamonds that are already set or mounted, if there is more than one diamond in the piece then the tag will show the CTW or Carat Total Weight which is the combined weight of all stones. It will not tell you the weight of each stone in the piece, therefore you must ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in order to really know what you are buying.
Diamonds Clarity
There are basically two things to consider when evaluating the clarity of a diamond - inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are flaws inside the diamond and blemishes are those on the surface. Diamonds are graded by the amount of inclusions and blemishes and whether or not they can be seen by the naked eye.
Many diamond buyers mistakenly think that diamond clarity refers to how clear it is but this is not the case.
Clarity actually refers to the external as well as internal imperfections in the stone. The best diamonds, of course get a grade of FL or IF - Flawless or Internally Flawless - meaning that it is perfect. A grade of I-1, I-2 or I-3 means that the diamond is imperfect, with a grade of I-3 being the worst.
A Diamonds Cut
People commonly refer to the shape of a diamond as the cut (Round diamonds, princess cut diamonds, marquise cut diamonds, oval diamonds, Pear-shaped diamonds, emerald cut diamonds, radiant cut diamonds, Heart-Shaped and Asscher cut diamonds).
But cut really is the craftsmanship applied in cutting the facets of the stone. The artisan attempts to cut a diamond to make the best use of light.
When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is refracted from one facet to another, then dispersed through the top of the diamond. When a diamond is cut too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the diamond. If the diamond is cut too shallow, light escapes through the bottom of the stone before it can be reflected. In addition, the facets must be placed with precise symmetry for maximum brilliance.
Purchase the Best Cut of Diamond You Can
The difference between the cut of a diamond cut and the shape of a diamond is that the cut refers to : 1. the number of facets in a finished diamond and how those facets are proportioned in the diamond, 2. the table and the depth percentage of the diamond, 3. the crown angles of the diamond, and finally, 4. the polish and the symmetry of the diamond. The precision and expertise of the cut will affect the stone’s sparkle and interior fire.
Shape, on the other hand, is the overall form outline that the finished jewel takes. Different shapes have different numbers of facets, and each one has particular proportions and dimensions that will give it the best overall appearance.
Diamonds come in many different shapes. Often, the final shape is decided by the lapidary who cuts the stone based on the initial shape of the raw diamond and any flaws that must be removed. Most basic shapes can be enhanced with trimmed or rounded corners, additional facets, or other characteristics to increase the stone's beauty. Although all diamonds have brilliance the round cut, princess cut, cushion cut, and radiant cut diamonds are the most faceted and symmetric for full brilliance.
Elsa Jewelry Specializes in:
Diamond Engagement Rings, Diamond Solitaires, Loose Diamonds,Diamond Wedding Rings, Fine Designer Wedding Jewelry
