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The 4 C's of buying a diamond
03/10/10
Many people are confused about how jewelery diamonds are priced. The best explanation
is that asking for the price of a diamond is like asking for the price of a
house. A real estate agent can’t quote you a price for a house without
knowing its size, condition, location, etc. This process is the same one used
when buying a diamond. A diamond’s beauty, rarity, and price depend on
the interplay of all the 4Cs—cut, clarity, carat, and color.
The 4Cs are used throughout the world to classify the rarity of diamonds. Diamonds
with the combination of the highest 4C ratings are more rare and, consequently,
more expensive. No one C is more important than another in terms of beauty and
it is important to note that each of the 4Cs will not diminish in value over
time.
Once you have established those 4C characteristics that are most important
to you, a jeweler can then begin to show you various options with quoted prices.
THE DIAMOND QUALITY PYRAMID
A Tool to Help Understand a Diamond’s Value
The Diamond Quality Pyramid is a framework to help you compare diamonds. While
all diamonds are precious, those closest to the top of the pyramid—possessing
the best combination of cut, clarity, carat weight and color—are the earth's
rarest and most valuable.
Diamond Quality Pyramid
CARAT
Refers to the weight of a diamond.
Carat is often confused with size even though it is actually a measure of weight.
One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into
100 “points.” A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or
3/4 carat diamond.
A 1-carat diamond costs exactly twice the price of a half-carat diamond, right?
Wrong. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, which places
them at the rarest level of the Diamond Quality Pyramid, a 1-carat diamond will
cost more than twice a 1/2-carat diamond (assuming color, clarity and cut remain
constant).
Cut and mounting can make a diamond appear larger (or smaller) than its actual
weight. So shop around and talk to your jeweler to find the right diamond and
setting to optimize the beauty of your stone.
CLARITY
Refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond.
Every diamond is unique. Nature ensures that each diamond is as individual
as the person who wears it. Naturally-occurring features—know as inclusions—provide
a special fingerprint within the stone. Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics
such as minerals or fractures, appearing while diamonds are formed in the earth.
They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.
To view inclusions, jewelers use a magnifying loupe. This tool allows jewelers
to see a diamond at 10x its actual size so that inclusions are easier to see.
The position of inclusions can affect the value of a diamond. There are very
few flawless diamonds found in nature, thus these diamonds are much more valuable.
Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, known as clarity, which was
established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The clarity scale,
ranging from F (Flawless) to Included (I), is based on the visibility of inclusions
at a magnification of 10x.
Some inclusions can be hidden by a mounting, thus having little effect on the
beauty of a diamond. An inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond could impact
the dispersion of light, sometimes making the diamond less brilliant.
The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable and rare it is—and
the higher it is on the Diamond Quality Pyramid.
COLOR
Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless.
Diamonds are found in almost every color of the rainbow, but white-colored
diamonds remain most popular.
Diamonds are graded on a color scale established by the Gemological Institute
of America (GIA) which ranges from D (colorless) to Z. Warmer colored diamonds
(K–Z) are particularly desirable when set in yellow gold. Icy winter whites
(D–J) look stunning set in white gold or platinum.
Color differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference
between, say, an E and an F. Therefore, colors are graded under controlled lighting
conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.
Truly colorless stones, graded D, treasured for their rarity, are highest on
the Diamond Quality Pyramid. Color, however, ultimately comes down to personal
taste. Ask a jeweler to show you a variety of color grades next to one another
to help you determine your color preference.
Nature has also created diamonds in intense shades of blue, green, yellow,
orange, pink or – rarest of all – red. These diamonds are called
‘colored fancies’ and are extremely rare and highly treasured.
CUT
Refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond.
Nature determines so much about a diamond, but it takes a master cutter to
reveal the stone’s true brilliance, fire and ultimate beauty.
Based on scientific formulas, a well-cut diamond will internally reflect light
from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the
top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire, thereby
placing well-cut diamonds higher on the Diamond Quality Pyramid than deep or
shallow-cut diamonds. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose or
leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in less brilliance and ultimately,
value.
Cut also refers to shape—round, square, pear, or heart for example. Since
a round diamond is symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light
that enters, it is the most brilliant of all diamond shapes and follows specific
proportional guidelines. Ask a jeweler to find out more about these guidelines.
Non-round shapes, also known as “fancy shapes,” will have their
own guidelines to be considered well-cut.
What to Spend
Diamond Buyer's Guide
Buying a diamond means investing in a piece of forever. A true miracle of nature
dating from the beginning of time, each diamond purchase is special.
Every individual buying a diamond seeks out the best they can afford. Nature’s
variety means that you will always find a diamond to suit your taste, budget
and occasion. If you’re about to buy a diamond engagement ring, you may
want to consider the often-quoted guideline of spending one to two month’s
salary.
You can rest assured that the diamond you buy will be a sound financial investment.
Their rare qualities have been sought after for thousands of years. Their desirability
and value remain undiminished today and will continue through the years to come.
But, whatever you spend, your diamond will represent one of life’s deepest
emotional investments. It may eventually be passed down for generations, cherished
not just for what it is worth, but for what it means.
Finding a Quality Jeweler
The 5th C: Confidence
A good jeweler is the first step to a smart diamond purchase. To find a jeweler
you can trust, ask your family and friends for recommendations. Your jeweler
should be knowledgeable about diamonds and help you feel comfortable making
this important purchase.
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