Authentic diamond rings are certified according to grades and these classifications largely affect the price of a ring. Each stone is assessed using the 4Cs, which refer to the cut, color, carat weight, and clarity of a diamond. Anyone planning to buy diamond jewelry should understand what these 4 diamond characteristics mean to make the best decision.
Cut
The most important characteristic of all, a diamond’s cut refers to its proportions and polish. The sparkle of a diamond lies on the quality of cut. If a stone is cut too deep, light reflections would only show to its sides. If cut too shallow, it only reflects light at the bottom.
There are three features a perfectly-cut diamond ring has – brilliance (white light reflected from both inside and outside of a diamond), fire (flashes of color or the rainbow sparkle from the diamond), and scintillation (the shine or light shown when a diamond moves).
Color
The color of a white diamond is graded based on the whiteness or lack of color. Diamonds are classified by color grades D to Z. D diamonds (absolutely colorless) show almost no difference to E and F diamonds (colorless), except when assessed by professional jewelers.
G-J diamonds are near colorless, but can be quickly distinguished from diamonds with higher color grades when put side by side. K-M diamonds show a faint color with a yellowish tint. N-R diamonds have brownish or yellowish tints, while S-Z diamonds show noticeably bright colors that are not ideal for white diamonds.
Note that blue, pink, yellow and other colored diamonds have a separate color grading.
Clarity
Since diamonds came from the earth, the heat and pressure involved in creating these beautiful stones lead to imperfections, blemishes, inclusions or “birth scars” inside the diamond.
Clarity refers to the level of imperfections that are present on a diamond. It is classified by five degrees – Flawless (FL), Very Very Slightly Included (VVS), Very Slightly Included (VS), Slightly Included (SI) and Included (I).
Although not noticeable by the naked eye, these small imperfections affect how light reflects from within the diamond.
Carat Weight
Diamonds are sold by the carat (1ct = 0.2 grams). Contrary to popular belief, the carat weight does not reflect the size of a diamond. Two diamond rings of the same carat weight can look different in size.
Carat weight uses a point system. One carat (1ct) is comprised of 100 points. In general, the greater carat weight a diamond has, the rarer it is.
The value of a diamond is assessed by inspecting these 4Cs. A perfectly cut, colorless diamond with an FL clarity and over 1 carat weight will be a more expensive investment than those with lower grades.
If you need appraisals or professional advice when it comes to diamond rings and you are in Dallas, D.C., New York, or Atlanta, visit Ascot Diamonds and let the experts guide you.
Sitename has a huge inventory of diamond rings from renowned jewelry designer Catherine Ryder. The store serves clients with budgets ranging from $3,000 to over $50,000.
