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How To Buy Diamonds
Many people are confused about how
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.
THE 4C'S
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.
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.
CLARITY
Refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond.<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 (I3), 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. At Wedding Bands .com all the diamonds that we are
using in the Diamond Wedding Bands
are at least VS2 in clarity.
COLOR
Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless. Diamonds range in
color from icy winter whites to warm summer whites. 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. At Wedding Bands .com all the
diamonds we are using in our
Diamond Wedding Rings are at least H in color.
CUT
Refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. Based on scientific
formulas, a well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like
facet to another, 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. At Wedding
Bands .com the diamonds we are using in our
Diamond Wedding Rings are all very fine cut to show the maximum
brilliancy and fire.
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 When you start to think about buying a diamond—and
the love it will symbolize—you naturally want the best you can afford and a
beautiful stone you will treasure forever. Diamonds can be found in a range of
price—and you're certain to find one within the Diamond Quality Pyramid that
suits your taste and what you plan to spend. If you are about to buy a Diamond
Engagement Ring, you may want to consider spending the commonly accepted
guideline of two months’ salary. But it's up to you to settle on a diamond that
will truly represent your deepest emotions and the promise for the future you
will share.
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