The Fascinating Facets of Diamonds
No two diamonds are the same because every stone has unique characteristics that make it stand out. Each diamond was produced by extreme heat and pressure deep within the Earth before being forced towards the surface billions of years ago. After being mined, a raw stone is cut and polished, transforming it from a rough gem to a radiant beauty which can adorn your ring, pendant and more. Despite the fact that each stone is one-of-a-kind, it can be hard to tell how each one is, in fact, distinct.
If you’re searching for your own diamond and not sure where to begin, we recommend starting with the 4 C’s. Cut, color, clarity and carats are the criteria that every diamond in the world is evaluated on. They were established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1940’s. Since then, they’ve reigned as the worldwide diamond evaluation standard. By understanding these components, you can choose the diamond that fits your setting, price point and your incredible love story.
Cut
Many believe that cut is the most important of the 4 C’s because it has the biggest impact on the diamond’s appearance. Some think it refers to the shape of the diamond, such as round, pear, princess and oval. However, it actually describes how the diamond is proportioned and faceted, creating the ideal symmetry to reflect the maximum amount of light. In short, the cut determines how light flows through the diamond, creating sparkle and shine.
According to the GIA grading system, the cut is rated as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. We recommend sticking with an Excellent to Very Good range to reveal the full radiance of your diamond.
Color
Color is the second most important C and actually refers to the lack of color in a diamond. Diamonds naturally come in a variety of colors including gray, white, yellow, green, brown and pink. But the highest quality and rarest diamonds are colorless, making them almost icy in appearance. GIA values color on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). D, E, F graded diamonds will cost more than diamonds lower on the scale, such as K diamonds, which have a faint color.
A little color isn’t always a bad thing. For instance, diamond color is affected by different settings and metals. A diamond with a K rating may not be as rare or high quality as a D or even an F, but it may pair beautifully with that yellow gold solitaire setting you have your eye on. Diamonds with a lower rating will also cost less.
Clarity
Clarity refers to how natural imperfections in the diamond are evaluated. Surface flaws are known as “blemishes” while internal defects are called “inclusions”. Diamonds with the smallest amount of inclusions receive the highest clarity grades, making them more expensive.
But diamonds are unique, not perfect. Natural diamonds are born in the depths of the earth’s crust under high pressure and temperature. This means that inclusions and blemishes will inevitably occur. In fact, less than 1% of all diamonds are categorized as “flawless”, because it’s rare to find a diamond free of inclusions.
Carat
The term carat is often misunderstood. It refers to the diamond’s actual weight, not the diamond’s size. The word carat comes from “carob” seed, the original unit of weight used by diamond traders. Today a carat weighs about as much as a paperclip.
When it comes to carat, two diamonds of equal carat weight might have different cost depending on cut, color and clarity.
Discover Your Distinct Diamond at Bremer Jewelry
Now that you understand the incredible facets of diamonds, you can start shopping for your own with greater confidence. At Bremer Jewelry, we have a sparkling selection of the finest diamonds in Central Illinois for you to choose from. Plus, our friendly and knowledgeable team members are always happy to guide you in finding the diamond that will shine brilliantly for you. Remember if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.