Choosing A Diamond - The Four C's

Choosing A Diamond - The Four C's

1.  Carat

Carat is the unit measure of the weight of a gemstone. The name carat is derived from the name of the ‘carob’ or locust tree found in Mediterranean lands. The dried seeds of this tree were once used by traders as a unit of weight for gems because the seeds have a remarkably consistent weight.

Clarity

Diamonds are also graded on their clarity or freedom from inclusions and blemishes. It is much rarer to find a stone without natural marks, blemishes or signs of growth.

·         Flawless FL Show no inclusions or blemishes

·         Internally Flawless IF Show no inclusions and only insignificant blemishes

·         Very Very Small Inclusions VVS1/2 Contain minute inclusions that are difficult to see and locate

·         Very Small Inclusions VS1/2 Contain minor inclusions that are somewhat difficult to see

·         Slightly Included SI1/2 Contain noticeable inclusions that are easy to see

·         Imperfect Seen I1/2/3 Contain obvious inclusions that can easily be seen with the naked eye

2.  Colour

In terms of colour diamonds can appear on two scales, either ‘white diamonds’ or ‘fancy colours’.

GRADE	DEFINITION	GENERAL APPEARANCE
D	Exceptionally White +	Face up and face down colourless
E	Exceptionally White
F	Rare White +
G	Rare White
H	White	Face up colourless, face down slightly tinted
I/J	Slightly Tinted White
K/L	Tinted White	Face up slightly tinted, face down obviously tinted
M-Z	Tinted Colour	Face up and face down obviously tinted
Fancy	Fancy Colour	Face up definite colour

3.  Cut

Finally cut, which is the most important of all the 4Cs. The cut has the greatest opportunity to unlock the most potential out of the diamond; it is also the only factor that is influenced by man.

1.      Proportion – refers to the angles, proportions, and the relationship between the parts of a diamond.

2.      Symmetry – refers to the symmetrical appearance of the stone. E.g. the concentric positions of the table and culet for a round stone.

3.      Finish – the exactness of its shape and the arrangement of the facets. Also the quality of the polish.

One carat is equal to a fifth of a gramme. One carat is divided into 100 points, so 50 points = half a carat and 25 points = a quarter carat.

• In terms of desirability, the other Cs being equal, the heavier the diamond the higher the price per carat. However, this works on a non-linear scale, therefore, larger diamonds are proportionally much more valuable. For example, a diamond that is twice the weight of another will be more than twice the price – as it is more than twice as rare. This scale also jumps at certain points which are more popular such as 0.5ct and 1ct.
• For fancy coloured diamonds, the grading is reversed; so it is the ‘saturation of colour’ that is prized. Fancy colours include yellow and brown, sometimes green, pink and blue and the exceedingly rare red and purple. The value of fancy colours is also determined by fashion as well as rarity.
• The standard round brilliant-cut diamond remains the most popular cut for diamonds when perfectly proportioned and cut with specific angles relative to one another this will show off the optimum optical effect of fire and brilliance. There are, however, a myriad of other cuts that are equally prized for many different reasons. These are known as fancy cuts and they express the decorative and aesthetic potential of diamonds as well as the evolution of fashion and stone cutting over the years.