If you are thinking of purchasing a diamond, you must check out the
four criteria that diamonds are graded by, namely the color, cut,
clarity and carat of the diamond.
A diamond with no color allows maximum light to pass through it,
therefore this type of diamond is usually preferred for its sparkle.
On the color grading scale, diamonds graded D, E, and F mean they have
no color. G, H, and I diamonds have very little color. J, K, and L
mean that the diamond is a slight yellow color. P, Q, R, S, T, U, V,
W, and X diamonds have a darker shade of yellow. Diamonds graded Z has
a color other than yellow or white and are the rarest and most
expensive diamonds in the world. Generally, D-graded diamonds are the
most valuable, and X the least.
The cut of the diamond refers to the shape it is cut into and also its
reflective quality.
Diamonds are generally cut with 58 facets. The sparkle and brilliance
of the diamond generally depends on its cut, its angles, its finish
and its ability to reflect light. The most popular diamond cuts are
heart, oval, marquise, princess, pear, trillion, round, and emerald.
Common cutting problems include a diamond cut too thin that causes it
to lose some of its sparkle, or a missing or off center culet.
The clarity refers to the diamond's internal and surface imperfections
and blemishes. Diamonds that are clear are more brilliant; they are
also quite rare and thus highly priced. These flawless diamonds have
no internal or external imperfections or blemishes
The perfect diamond carries a grade of FL or IF, that is, Flawless or
Internally Flawless. A diamond with a grade of I-1, I-2 or I-3 means
that it is imperfect, with I-3 being the worst grade. VVS1 and VVS2
means that the diamond is very very slightly imperfect; VS1 and VS2
diamond is very slightly imperfect; and SI-1 and SI-2 means that the
diamond is slightly imperfect.
The unit by which the weight of the diamond is measured by is called
the carat. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. A carat is divided
into 100 segments called points, with 150
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