:: DIAMONDS INFO ::
Range of Diamond Cuts & Shapes at a Glance:
DIAMOND GRADING:
Internationally recognized specifications about Diamond Grading - called 4C's + Shape: Carat - Color - Clarity - Cut and Shape Carat: It defines the weight of the diamond - weight is called as carat when you talk about diamond. Typically, larger the carat the higher the price and one carat is equal to 0.20 gram. Same carat weight diamond stone may have different dimensions as different cuts have variable dimensions. When diamonds are set in a jewelry it is not easy to weigh and the best option is to measure its diameter. Here is the table to get an approximate size idea: 0.25 ct. - 4.1 mm 0.50 ct. - 5.2 mm0.75 ct. - 5.9 mm 1.00 ct. - 6.5 mm
Color: Grading color is about finding a stone's body color approaches colorlessness - ranging from Colorless to Light Yellow, "D" through "Z". Most diamonds have at least some traces of yellow or brown body color. A fancy yellow diamond fetches a higher price than a light yellow one. The colorless grade is the most valuable but rare.
Clarity:
Most diamonds have "some imperfections or inclusions" in them. The clarity scale determines and measures the severity of those imperfections or "inclusions" in a stone. More clean - less imperfections - means higher the price.
GIA Diamond clarity-scale:
FL-Flawless:
Stones have no imperfections inside or on the outside of the stone under the magnification of a loupe of 10 power.
IF-Internally Flawless:
Stones have no inclusions under a loupe with a 10 power magnification.
VVS1,VVS2-Very Very Slightly Imperfect: Stones have very small inclusions that are very difficult to see under a loupe with a 10 power magnification. VS1,VS2-Very Slightly Imperfect:
Stones have small inclusions which are slightly difficult to difficult to see under a loupe with a 10 power magnification. SI1,SI2-Slightly Imperfect:
Stones have inclusions which are fairly easy to see under a loupe with a 10 power magnification, or visible to the naked eye. I1,I2,I3-Imperfect:
Stones have inclusions that range from eye visible to very easily seen to the naked eye.
Cut & Shapes:
The cut of a Diamond is the only property that is totally dependent on craftsman. A Diamond cutter analyzes the rough diamond, and has to determine how to extract the most beauty and most profit out of the rough stone.
Cut refers to not only the shape of the diamonds, but its proportions and finish, factors that determine the sparkle of the diamond.
if one has two equal polished diamonds, both the same carat size, both the same color, both the same clarity, they may look completely different. Why because there are many different shapes, and facets in a diamond. The weight can be distributed in different parts of the stone.
The goal in terms of extracting the greatest beauty from a Diamond, is to have light enter a Diamond, disperse the light as it bounces inside the Diamond, thereby producing the different colors and sparkly effect, and finally returning as much light to the eye as possible.
According to conventional wisdom, the proportions shown at the top of this section are the best for maximum light return.
Although Belgium – Antwerp the capital City – is the home for trading diamonds but surprisingly, Surat City in Gujrat State, India is the largest diamond cutting center in the world in terms of volume.
Glossary of Terms used in Diamonds:
BLEMISH: A flaw on the exterior of a diamond, such as a scratch, abrasion, nick or chip.BLUE-WHITE: Refers to a diamond that glows (flouresces) blue under ultraviolet light.
BRILLIANCE: White light reflected back from a diamond.
BRILLIANT: A round diamond with 58 facets.
CARAT: A unit of weight, equal to 200 milligrams. In ancient times one carat was equal to one carob bean or four grains of rice.
CARBON: The raw material of which diamonds are made. Occasionally a diamond will contain tiny pockets of carbon which can be seen as black spots within the stone.
CLOUD: A cluster of small inclusions, or internal flaws, within a diamond.
CROWN: The top of a diamond. Everything above the girdle.
CULET: The bottom facet of a diamond, usually very small.
DISPERSION: Colored light reflected from within a diamond; also called fire.
EYE-CLEAN: Refers to a diamond that has no inclusions or blemishes visible to the naked eye.
FACET: A polished surface on a diamond. A round, full-cut diamond usually has 58 facets.
FLUORESCENCE: A diamond's reaction to ultraviolet (UV) light, causing the stone to glow in various colors.
FULL-CUT: A diamond with 58 or more facets.
GEMOLOGIST: A person who has been trained and accredited in diamonds and colored stones.
GIA: Gemological Institute of America, an independent, non-profit organization which sets and upholds standards for grading diamonds and other precious stones.
GIRDLE: The narrow, unpolished band around the widest part of the diamond; the girdle separates the crown and the pavilion of the stone.
HEAD: The prongs which hold a diamond in its setting.
INCLUSION: A flaw within a diamond, such as carbon spots or fractures.
KARAT: The measure of the purity of gold; 24-karat being pure gold. Jewelry is made from 18K and 14K gold, which contain other metals for strength.
LASER-DRILLED: A diamond that has been treated with a laser to remove carbon spots.
LOUPE: A small magnifying glass used to view gemstones.
OFF-MAKE: A poorly proportioned diamond.
PAVE: A method of setting diamonds very closely together, giving the illusion of one or more larger diamonds.
PAVILION: The bottom of a diamond; everything below the diamond's girdle.
POINT: One-hundredth of a carat. A diamond weighing one-and-a-half carats weighs 150 points.
SEMI-MOUNT: A setting which is complete except for the main stone, which will be selected separately.
SINGLE-CUT: A diamond with only 16 or 17 facets.
SPARKLE: The liveliness of the light reflecting from a diamond; the sum of the brilliance and the fire (dispersion).
TIFFANY: A simple, elegant 2-3mm ring setting with a head that holds a single diamond.