LEARN ABOUT Diamonds
For most people, buying a diamond is a new experience, but that doesn't mean it should be overwhelming. Understanding a diamond's quality characteristics is straightforward and simple. At Lavdas Jewelry our experts will take the time to explain the 4Cs of diamond quality. Below is a brief description of the 4Cs of diamond quality, the key to a diamond’s value and subsequent price. Carat, Clarity, Color and Cut.
CARAT
Diamonds are weighed in carats with one carat weighing 0.2 grams. A carat is divided into 100 points which means that a diamond of 50 points weighs 0.50 carats. But two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on their clarity, color, and cut. Carat weight is the most intuitive of the 4Cs – you expect a larger diamond to be worth more.
CLARITY
Most diamonds contain unique birthmarks called inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external). Diamonds without these clarity characteristics are rare – and rarity translates to higher cost when purchasing diamonds. Using the GIA Diamond Grading System, diamonds are given a clarity grade that ranges from Flawless to Included (I3).
| Clarity |
Description |
| FL |
Flawless, Internally Flawless: No internal or external imperfections. Internally Flawless: No internal imperfections. Very rare. |
| IF |
Flawless, Internally Flawless: No internal or external imperfections. Internally Flawless: No internal imperfections. Rare. |
| VVS1-VVS2 |
Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see imperfections under 10x magnification. An excellent quality diamond. |
| VS1-VS2 |
Very Slightly Included: Imperfections are not typically visible to the unaided eye. |
| SI1-SI2 |
Slightly Included: Imperfections are visible under 10x magnification, and may be visible with the unaided eye. |
| I1-I3 |
Included: |
COLOR
Colorless diamonds are extremely rare and very valuable - most are nearly colorless with yellow or brown tints. The GIA Diamond Grading System uses letters to represent colors, beginning with D (colorless) and ending at Z (light yellow or brown). Many of these color distinctions are so subtle that they are invisible to the untrained eye but these slight color differences make a big difference in price.
| Color |
Description |
| D |
Absolutely colorless. The highest color grade. Rare. |
| E |
Colorless. Minute traces of color can be detected by an expert gemologist. A rare diamond. |
| F |
Colorless. Minute traces of color can be detected by an expert gemologist. A rare diamond. |
| G - H |
Near-colorless. Color difficult to detect unless compared side-by-side against diamonds of better grades. An excellent value. |
| I - J |
Near-colorless. An exceptional value with slightly detectable warmth or tone. |
| K - M |
Noticeable color. Faint Yellow |
| N - Z |
Noticeable color. Light Yellow to Yellow |
CUT
While diamonds come in many different shapes, including round brilliants, hearts, pears and marquises, cut has to do with proportion and the arrangement of facets. The sheer beauty of a diamond depends on cut more than anything else, using light to create brilliance, sparkle, and flashes of fire. The GIA Cut Scale ranges from Excellent to Poor. GIA provides a cut quality grade for standard round brilliant diamonds that fall in the D-to-Z color range.
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