Diamonds Are Forever

All You Need To Know About Diamonds

Are you confused by all the diamond jargon out there? Well there is no need to be. The information below will come in handy if you are considering the purchase of you first diamond.

What are the 4 Cs of a diamond?
The four Cs are the primary criteria used to grade diamonds and assess their value:

Cut: The cut of a diamond is an indication of how well the diamond disperses light.

Clarity: Clarity refers to the amount of blemishes and chemical inclusions within the stone. The grades of clarity are given below:

FI. Flawless. No blemishes or inclusions.
IF. Internally Flawless. No inclusions and insignificant blemishes.
VVS1 and VVS2. Very, Very Slightly Included. Exceptionally small inclusions which are almost impossible to see under a 10x microscope.
VS1 and VS2. Very Slightly Included. Small inclusions difficult to see under a 10x microscope.
SI1. Slightly Included. Inclusions are easy to see under a microscope, but hard to notice with the naked eye.
SI2. Slightly Included. Inclusions can be seen with the naked eye.
I1, I2 and I3. Imperfect. Inclusions are easily visible to the naked eye.

Colour: Diamonds are prized for their light dispersion and they have the greatest refractive index of any gem. This quality is enhanced if the stone itself is colourless. The degree of colour in a diamond is indicated by a letter, with D being completely colourless and Z being heavily coloured. D-F colours are the most valued stones and command higher prices whereas diamonds of rating N or greater are significantly less expensive.Colourless diamonds are the most precious because they allow for maximum reflection.

Carat weight: A carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. Because large diamonds are less common than small diamonds, the price of a diamond rises exponentially to its size.

Choosing the cut of a diamond
The cut of a diamond is not the same as its shape. Terms like Princess Cut or Emerald Cut refer to the shape of the diamond. When choosing the cut of a diamond, look for how well it reflects light. Well cut stones will have a sparkly ¿fire¿ because they refract light from one facet to another before dispersing it off the top.

How are diamonds measured?
Experts use a diamond weight scale to measure diamonds. 200 milligrams equal one carat. When two diamonds are of the same size, it¿s a reference to their weight, not their dimensions.

Are diamonds really rare?
In terms of processing, yes. Only about one in a million one-carat diamonds are fit to be sold. Economically, however, the supply of diamonds exceeds the demand. So it¿s not rare in that sense.

What are bonded diamonds?
Bonded diamonds are high quality, expensive stones that come with guarantees like 100% lifetime liquidity, buy back/exchange policies and protection from crashes in the diamond market.

Why are diamond certifications so important and what are diamonds grading reports?
Certifications indicate quality. Before you buy a diamond, check whether it¿s certified by gemological labs like the International Gemological Institute (IGI) or the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). They issue detailed diamond grading reports for loose gems belonging to the D-Z colour spectrum weighing at least 0.15 carats, with all the information you¿ll need to assess a diamond.

What common diamond scams should I look out for?
Diamond scams are aimed at getting you to believe that you're getting a great deal when in reality, you're being taken for a ride. Steer clear of ¿50% off¿ sales, purchase diamonds from reputed jewellers/stores, ask to see the diamond loose (not in a setting) away from the store¿s bright lights, insist on certificates, and ask for the exact weight of a diamond and not the rounded off weight.

Diamonds are fondly known as the king of all stones by people worldwide. While there may be other precious stones that are rarer, diamonds are one of the most sought after gemstones and a must have for every woman. Although allot of people wear diamonds day in and day out, they are often not aware of the powers of these gemstones that are believed to be associated with happiness and prosperity.