Background on Diamonds
- Diamond is the crystallized form of carbon.
- Strongest and most symmetrical known on Earth, and is born hundreds of miles below the Earth’s surface.
- Diamonds were formed more than 70 million years ago.
- Nowadays lab grown diamonds are becoming more and more prevalent (ex. Moissanite, etc.)
What makes a diamond special?
- Beauty — The colorless beauty and inner fire of the diamond has made this precious gem prized for centuries. Each stone’s complex characteristics cannot be duplicated, and no two diamonds can ever be the same. Each stone, like its owner, is endowed with a personality and character uniquely its own.
- Durability — A diamond is the hardest substance known to man, making it resistant to deterioration. When cared for properly, diamond jewelry can be worn every day and passed on as an heirloom to the next generation.
- Rarity — Although new resources for diamonds are being explored and discovered, the supply of these gems remains limited. Further, only 20 percent of all rough diamonds are suitable for gem cutting.
- Enduring Value — Like many precious products, diamond prices fluctuate. But it is important to know that these sparkling gemstones still retain value after years of being worn and enjoyed.
Diamond 4Cs
Cut
- A well-cut diamond will have more life and sparkle than one of lesser cut quality.
- Often ignored unless you compare diamonds with two different cut grades.
Clarity
- Clarity grading determines the relative visibility of the inclusions in a diamond and their impact on the overall visual appearance. The importance of clarity in diamond value originates from the notion that as diamond clarity improves, diamonds increase in rarity.
Color
- Colorless diamonds are higher priced in the colorless to yellow or colorless to brown diamond ranges. However, many people like the warmth of a faint to light yellow or brown diamond. If that describes you, then you can find great value in that type of diamond.
Carat
- The carat is the unit of measurement for the physical weight of diamonds. One carat equals 0.200 grams.
- Large diamonds are rarer than smaller ones, and as the carat weight increases, the value of the diamond increases as well. However, the increase in value is not proportionate to the size increase.