Diamond Education

ANATOMY OF A DIAMOND

CUT

The cut of the diamond does not refer to the diamond's shape. It is often a misconception. The cut is defined by the diamond's proportion, symmetry and polish; it is what gives the diamond allure, brilliance and scintillation. The cut of the diamond is the only characteristic that is not determined by nature but through human's influence. When a diamond is cut with proper proportions- neither too deep nor too shallow, it will disperse light better and will seem to radiate from within, whereas a poorly cut diamond will appear dull and dark regardless of its color and clarity.

Well cut

When a diamond is cut to proper proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone. Within the Well Cut standards are sub categories of Ideal, Excellent, and Very Good.

Shallow Cut

When the cut of a diamond is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.

Deep Cut

When the cut of a diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion.

CARAT WEIGHT

The carat weight is the standard unit of mass used for measuring diamonds, gemstones and pearls. It refers to weight and not size. The word carat originated from the carob tree seeds. Carob tree seeds were known for its uniformity and consistency in weight. Historically, gemstones including diamonds were counterweighed against carob seeds until a universal standardized system was implemented. In Asia, rice was used to measure diamonds. A diamond that equaled four grains of rice weighed 1 carat.

One carat is the equivalent of 1/5 of a gram or 200 milligrams
One carat is also divided into 100 points.
Points are generally used to describe increments of weight within a carat.

Carat weight affects price. The value of diamond increases in an exponential manner in connection with size. Larger diamonds of high quality will be more valuable and expensive because of its rarity.

COLOR

A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond is perfectly transparent with no hue, or color. However, in reality almost no gem-sized natural diamonds are absolutely perfect. The color of a diamond may be affected by chemical impurities and/or structural defects in the crystal lattice.

Diamonds are classified according to the color or absence of color. A universal color scale was created by GIA (Gemological Institute of America) to clearly determine the body of color or amount of color of the diamond. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues with increasing presence of color to the letter Z, or near-colorless. Diamonds are color-graded by comparing them to stones of known color under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions. Depending on the hue and intensity of a diamond's coloration, a diamond's color can either detract from or enhance its value.

CLARITY

A diamond's clarity is a quality of diamonds relating to the existence and visual appearance of internal characteristics of a diamond called inclusions, and surface defects called blemishes. Inclusions may be crystals of a foreign material or another diamond crystal, or structural imperfections such as tiny cracks that can appear whitish or cloudy. The number, size, color, relative location, orientation, and visibility of inclusions can all affect the relative clarity of a diamond.

A clarity grade is assigned based on the overall appearance of the stone under 10x magnification.