| Carat |
|
|
Diamond weight is measured in units
called carats. A carat is divided into 100 parts. Each part is
called a point. A diamond that weighs one (1.00) carat also
weighs 100 points. Small stones like .10, and .15ct are
referred by point designations. One carat is equal to 1/5 of a
gram (200 milligrams) Diamonds are usually valued in terms of
price per carat. Accordingly, for the same color, clarity, and
cut, a diamond that weighs more costs more. Also since larger
diamonds are also more rare, the cost per carat of equal
quality stones also increases as diamond size increases.
|
|
| Size |
Smaple Weight Range |
| 1/5
Carat |
.18
carat to .22 carat |
| 1/4
Carat |
.23
carat to .29 carat |
| 1/3
Carat |
.30
carat to .36 carat |
| 3/8
Carat |
.37
carat to .45 carat |
| 1/2
Carat |
.46
carat to .59 carat | |
The carat, as a unit of weight,
is derived from the carob seed which was used by early gem
traders to weigh diamonds. Since a carat is a unit of measure
and not size, two diamonds of the same carat weight may appear
to be different sizes depending on how the diamond is
cut.
(Pictures of different diamonds according to weight)
| |
|
| Cut |
|
| The cut of a diamond determines its
brilliance. There is no single measurement of a diamond that defines
its cut, but rather a collection of measurements and observations
that determine the relationship between a diamond's light
performance, dimensions and finish. Diamonds can have cut grades of
Ideal, Very Good, Good, Fair, and The width and depth can have an
effect on how light travels within the diamond, and how it exits in
the form of brilliance. |
 |
 |
|
| Color |
|
|
Color refers to the presence or absence of
color in white diamonds. Acting as a prism, a diamond can divide
light into a spectrum of colors and reflect this light as colorful
flashes called fire. Just as when looking through colored glass,
color in a diamond will act as a filter, and will diminish the
spectrum of color emitted. The less color in a diamond, the more
colorful the fire, and the better the color grade.
The color in diamonds graded K-Z detracts from
the beauty of a diamond. It's especially noticeable set in platinum
or white gold. |
 |
| Color
Scale(GIA) |
|
| D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S through Z |
Z+ |
| Colorless |
Nearly Colorless |
Faint Yellow |
Very Light Yellow |
Light Yellow |
Fancey Yellow | |
|
| Champagne
Diamonds- |
|
| Champagne
Diamonds are naturally colored diamonds that are produced in a
wide range of colors from light straw to rich cognac. They
have not been treated in any way - the color is completely
Natural! |
|
| Light Champagne, subtle and
mysterious. Deep rich cognacs and all the shades in between
making a palette of colors that has inspired remarkable
jewelry unlike any designs ever seen before. |
|
The champagne diamond color
scale, also known as the Argyle Scale. Argyle has developed a
guide for ordering uniform tints of Champagne. (show diamond
scale) C1-C2…Light Champagne C3-C4…Medium Champagne C5-C6…Dark
Champagne C7…Fancy Cognac.
The tones are comparable to the
following GIA grading:
C1 ("light champagne"): GIA
N,O,P,Q color
C2 ("light champagne"): GIA R,S,T,U,V
color
C3 ("medium champagne"): GIA W,X color
C4 ("medium
champagne"): GIA Y,Z color
C5 ("dark champagne"): GIA fancy
brown
C6 ("dark champagne"): GIA fancy brown to fancy dark
brown
C7 ("fancy cognac"): GIA fancy dark brown |
| |
| Clarity |
|
|
The clarity of a diamond is the term
used to describe the number and size of imperfections inside
the stone. The fewer and smaller the inclusions, the more rare
and valuable the diamond. Less than 1% of all diamonds ever
found has no inclusions and can be called internally flawless
(IF).
Every diamond is unique and have its own
individual natural characteristics referred to as inclusions
and described as "nature's fingerprints". These inclusions,
such as minerals or fractures, appear while diamonds are
formed in the earth. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds
or feathers. The number, size, color, nature and position of
the inclusions determine the clarity of the diamond. The
standard for grading diamond clarity is 10-power (10X)
magnification. If a trained expert can see nothing under 10x,
then the diamond is given a grade of internally flawless (IF)
based on the GIA grading scale. The GIA clarity grades are:
|
|
| Clarity
Scale(GIA) |
|
| FL |
IF |
WS1 |
WS2 |
VS1 |
VS2 |
SI1 |
SI2 |
I1 |
I2 |
I3 | |
 |
|
Every diamond is unique & size,
postion & volume of inclusions determine the clarity
grade. | | |
