| Carat |
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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.
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| 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 |
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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) |
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| Cut |
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| 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. |
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| Color |
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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.
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Color Scale(GIA)
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D
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E
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F
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G
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H
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I
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J
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K
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L
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M
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N
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O
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P
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Q
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R
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S through Z
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Z+
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Colorless
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Nearly Colorless
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Faint Yellow
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Very Light Yellow
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Light Yellow
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Fancey Yellow
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| Champagne Diamonds- |
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| 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! |
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| 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.
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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
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| Clarity |
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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:
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Clarity Scale(GIA)
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FL
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IF
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WS1
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WS2
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VS1
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VS2
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SI1
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SI2
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I1
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I2
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I3
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Every diamond is unique & size, postion & volume of inclusions determine the clarity grade. |
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