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DIAMONDS  -  THE 4 C's

     
Australia is one of the top seven diamond
producing countries in the world
     
     
A precious stone like a diamond represents more than anything
"The idea of forever"

It says "I love you"
     
   A diamond is formed over millions of years under intense heat and pressure, and is considered to be one of the hardest substances in the world.

   It's rarity and beauty is what fetch's it's greatest value, because it symbolises romantic love and the commitment your making together.
     
   The following text is in most-part taken from the GIA and DCLA websites, which we highly recommend you visit.
  Diamond Certification Lab of Australia www.dcla.com.au
  Gemological Institute of America  www.gia.org
     
The 4 C's
Color  -  Clarity  -  Cut  -  Carat

   Most diamond professionals use four major factors to describe and classify diamonds. These may help evaluate any diamond's you may be looking to purchase, thus better defining your target "quality" at the right budget
   COLOR  
 


   Most diamonds are nearly colorless with faint yellow or brown tints. They usually fall into the normal color range and are graded by their relative lack of color.

In general, the less color the higher the value

   The GIA color grading scale starts with "D" being the highest (colorless) range value to "Z" which is a light yellow tint, thus being less expensive.

   Fancy colored diamonds are outside the normal color grading system.

  
     
   CLARITY  
 



   A diamond will have "internal features" calles "inclusions" which are tiny mineral crystals. They may also have surface irregularities, called blemishes (scratches and nicks).

   These two together are called a diamonds "clarity characteristics", which also effect value and beauty.

   Clarity's influence on value is directly related to rarity.
Flawless diamonds are almost impossible to find, and are commanding top prices.

   Inclusions seen by the naked eye are usually very inexpensive, and stones in the middle range make up most of the diamonds on the retail market.

(FR) Flawless - shows no inclusions or blemishes  
     
(IF) Internally Flawless - No inclusions, but some mior blemishes  
     
(VVS 1-2) Very Very Slightly Included - minor inclusions difficult to see  
     
(VS 1-2) Very Very Slightly Included - minute inclusions (small crystals, clouds or feathers)  
     
(SI 1-2) Slightly Included - contain inclusions (clouds, crystals, knots, cavities, feathers)  
     
(I1,2,3) Included - contain inclusions (larger crystals or feathers) may affect transparency and brilliance  
 
     
   CUT  
 
   Cut is the shape and style of a polished diamond, and is a key factor in determining value.

Professional's also look at proportion, symmetry, and finish

  The quality of a diamonds polish, the condition of it's girdle and precision of it's cut are all "value factors" and are often referred to as "Make" in the diamond trade

   A diamond with a good "Make" is bright, fiery, symmetrical and sparkles with light

   Visit both the GIA or DCLA (diamond certification) websites for more information on:

Brilliance - combination of all the white light reflection

Dispersion - "the fire" - breaking up of white light into a rainbow

Scintillation - (sparkle) Tiny flashes of light when the diamond moves

  
     
   CARAT (WEIGHT)  
 


   The basic measuring unit of diamonds (fractions of a carat)

Example:
a diamond that is 1.03 carat's is "one point oh three carats", and a diamond that is .83 carats is described as "83 points"

A small paper clip weighs approximately a carat

  
 
SUMMARY

"All the C's are created equal"

   Take all four factors equally into consideration when assessing the true value of a diamond.
  
     
 
   The International Gemological Institute (IGI)
is also a diamond certification company,
but they are not considered as high of a
standard as GIA and DCLA.