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Two diamonds that look alike at
first may, in fact, be very different. Similarly, two diamonds of equal
size can have very unequal values. To understand the differences, is to
understand the 4 C's:
1. Cut
2. Color 3. Clarity 4.
Carat-Weight
It is the combination of these characteristics that determine the
quality, value and cost of a diamond. The Diamond Center at The Jewelry
Warehouse will provide you all the information you need during your
visit. |
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Diamonds are fashioned
into a number of shapes, depending on the nature of the rough stone. The
six most popular shapes are round (also called brilliant), marquise,
pear, emerald, oval and heart.
The choice is largely a matter of personal taste.
Whatever your preference, a well-cut diamond is the work of a master
diamond cutter, since it is the cut that enables the diamond to
reflect light, creating scintillation and sparkle. When a diamond is
well-proportioned, light is reflected from one facet to another and
dispersed through the top of the stone as rainbows of color.
A well-cut diamond is beautiful because it's very
brilliant. Of all the variables affecting the value of a diamond,
the cut is the most crucial. At The Diamond Center at The Jewelry
Warehouse, you can be confident that all our diamonds are cut to the
optimum proportions. Exacting care is taken to ensure that
everything is just right. Nothing is left to chance.
Shallow Cut |
Ideal Cut |
Deep Cut |
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Cuts are graded as follows:
An Ideal cut falls within the
strict mathematical proportions illustrated in the above image.
Because symmetry is required for maximum light reflection, only
round diamonds may be graded as ideal cuts.
A Very Good cut reflects back as
much as 90% of all light that enters the stone. Very good cuts are
considered exceptionally proportioned, investment quality stones.
A Good cut describes a
well-proportioned stone that reflects back a good proportion of
light. Good cuts are well suited as jewelry stones.
A Fair cut diamond has been cut to
maximize the weight of the original stone, at the expense of fire
and brilliance. A fair cut may reflect as little as 40% of the
captured light back through the table of the diamond.
A Poor cut diamond appears lifeless
to the eye. Poor cut stones are not recommended for fine jewelry,
and we do not offer poorly cut diamonds for sale to our customers.
Graphic Example of
Proportions
Note: These proportions apply only to round diamonds.
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Ideal Proportions |
Acceptable Proportions |
Unacceptable Proportions |
| Depth: |
60.2% - 62.7% |
57.0% - 64.0% |
Less than 57.0% or
greater than 64.0% |
| Table: |
53.0% - 57.0% |
53.0% - 64.0% |
Less than 53.0% or
greater than 66.0% |
| Polish: |
Very good to excellent |
Good to excellent |
Poor to fair |
| Symmetry: |
Very good to excellent |
Good to excellent |
Poor to fair |
| Girdle: |
Thin to medium |
Thin to thick |
Very thin or very thick |
| Culet: |
None to very small |
None to medium |
Medium to large |
Fancy shaped diamonds follow
different proportion guide.
Preferred Proportions for Oval,
Pear, Marquise, and Heart-Shaped Diamonds
| Depth Percentage: |
58.9% - 65.4% |
| Table Percentage: |
53% - 64% |
| Polish: |
Good to excellent |
| Symmetry: |
Good to excellent |
| Girdle: |
Thin to thick |
Preferred Proportions for Emerald
and Radiant Cut Diamonds
| Depth Percentage: |
59.9% - 69.0% |
| Table Percentage: |
59% - 69% |
| Polish: |
Good to excellent |
| Symmetry: |
Good to excellent |
| Girdle: |
Thin to thick |
Preferred Proportions for Princess
Cut Diamonds
| Depth Percentage: |
64.0% - 75.0% |
| Table Percentage: |
59% - 72% |
| Polish: |
Good to excellent |
| Symmetry: |
Good to excellent |
| Girdle: |
Thin to thick |
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| Diamonds are found in a
range from colorless to yellowish, and judged according to a
color grading scale from "D" through "Z". It is the colorless
diamond that is most valued because it is the most rare. The
difference between one color grade and another is very subtle,
particularly to the untrained eye. Although increasing shades of
yellow reduce the value of a diamond, they do not necessarily
reduce its beauty. If a diamond is well cut, its refraction and
dispersion of light will often disguise certain degrees of
coloration.
A perfectly colored diamond
is, in fact, colorless—due to its extraordinary ability to
absorb all rays of light equally. But the colorless diamond
is extremely rare, and most diamonds contain slight traces
of yellow, brown or gray.
Diamonds are evaluated
according to the GIA letter scale, and graded D to
F if they have no detectable color tone to the unaided
eye. Diamonds of these grades and are highly prized because
they allow a maximum quantity of light to pass into the
stone. Diamonds in the G to I range are still
nearly colorless to the eye, but the trained gemologist can
detect a slight yellow cast. The untrained eye can detect a
trace of color in diamonds graded J to M, but
these shades of diamonds are still considered desirable as
affordable jewelry pieces.
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Color Grade |
Description |
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D |
Colorless
(for the purist) |
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E |
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F |
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G |
Near colorless
(for top-quality jewelry) |
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H |
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I |
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J |
Faint yellow/brown
(slight quality compromise) |
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K |
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L |
Light yellow/brown
(for the value-conscious) |
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M |
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Diamonds with color ratings of N and below
carry a noticeable yellow tint, which some people prize as a
matter of personal taste. |
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| The clarity of a diamond is
determined by the presence or absence of tiny natural birthmarks
known as "inclusions." Most inclusions are not visible to the
naked eye, but only under powerful magnification. The fewer and
smaller the inclusions, the higher the price. While inclusions
do not generally affect the diamond's beauty -- and usually
cannot be seen -- their presence reduces the price. Clarity is
graded on a scale with a range from internally flawless (IF) to
very, very small inclusions (VVS1-VVS2);
to very small inclusions (VS1-VS2); to
small inclusions (SI1-SI2-SI3);
to imperfect (I1-I2-I3) with
eye-visible inclusions.
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Clarity Grade |
Description |
FL
flawless |
No internal or finish flaws (museum quality,
extremely rare) |
IF
internally flawless |
No internal flaws (extremely rare) |
VVS1, VVS2
very very slightly included |
Very difficult to see inclusions under 10x
magnification |
VS1, VS2
very slightly included |
Difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification,
unable to see inclusions with naked eye |
SI1, SI2
slightly included |
Easy to see inclusions under 10x magnification, may
or may not be able to see inclusions with naked eye |
I1, I2, I3
included |
Inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye |
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A diamond is
measured in carats and is the easiest of the 4 C's to
determine. One carat is divided into 100 "points," so
that a diamond of 75 points, for example, weighs .75
carats. Fine quality can be found in diamonds of all
carat weights.
To get a sense for the
relative size of round diamonds, look at the chart
below. (Remember, this chart is not to scale – the size
will depend on the resolution of your monitor!). Beneath
each picture is the approximate size of the diamond in
millimeters. This should help you get a sense for what
size diamond you wish to purchase.
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