What properties are important when choosing a diamond?
♫ July 29th, 2011 2:44 am“Cut: An exceptionally cut diamond can create a beautiful brilliance, and a poorly cut diamond may appear dull. Many gemologists believe how a diamond is cut is the diamond’s most important attribute. Width and depth play a huge role how light travels in the gem. If cut too shallow the diamonds radiance will be lost. The light travels out the sides. When a diamond is cut too deep the diamond will appear dull. By doing this the light travels out the bottom of the stone.
Color: Diamonds act like a prism, by doing so it divides light in to a spectrum and colors reflect light in to bright flashes called fire. The diamond acts as a filter when looking through it, the spectrum will reduce. The less amount of color in a diamond, more brilliant its fire and the better its grade. The color rating system goes as follows.
D: Positively colorless. This is the highest color grade, and in turn exceedingly rare.
E: Colorless. Small traces of color are able to be detected by a gemologist. This is also a very rare diamond.
F: Colorless. Slight color is seen by a gemologist, still considered “”Colorless”" grade; and a high quality diamond.
G-H: Almost colorless. Color is more noticeable when compared to the higher grades of diamonds. These diamonds exhibit an excellent value.
I-J: Near colorless, color is slightly detectable.
K-Z: These grades of diamond are inferior in quality. They lack fire, and brilliance that consumers look for in a good diamond.
Clarity: This is the way the (GIA) Gemological Institute of America grades a diamond for flaws, or inclusions. These can be scratches, trace minerals, or something else to detract from the pure beauty. Clarity ratings are as follows.
FL-IF: Flawless
VVS1-VVS2: Has minute inclusions, they are very difficult to see.
VS1-VS2: Slightly included not usually seen without magnification. These are less expensive than VVS1 or VVS2 grades.
SI1-SI2: These diamonds are slightly included. Some flaws are at times visible to the unaided eye.
Carat Weight: This is the actual size of the diamond.”
