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The Four C's - principles for diamond assessment - what you should take into consideration when planning on purchasing a diamond.
Four factors that are considered when judging a diamond's quality and cost are: the diamond's colour, its clarity, diamond cut, and carat weight. These four elements are known as the Four C's.
Colour
Colour is the first feature, which determines not only the diamond's beauty but first of all its price. Gems of the best colour are marked by letter D, which stands for colourless diamond (the icy white+), whereas for gems in settings the name RIVER+ is used. Diamonds of this colour are very rare, which considerably affects their price.
Diamond's value in respect of its colour decreases along with the increase of a yellow tint. There are also fancy coloured diamonds on the market, e.g. diamonds of blue or pink colour, however, their prices are varied due to the fact that they are the most rare.
Clarity
Clarity is another factor influencing value and beauty of the gemstone. Diamonds can be characterized not only by the features inside which are called inclusions, but also by the external defects, which are called flaws. Clarity grade of a given diamond is determined not only by presence of the abovementioned inclusions but also their location, size, number, visibility and the way they influence the diamond's brilliance.
IF - Internally Flawless. Inclusions not visible when using a 10x magnification, external features can be visible
VVS - Very Very Small Inclusions - Inclusions visible when using a 10x magnification but not on the diamond's table. Division into VVS1 and VVS2 is used, whereVVS1 indicates better clarity than VVS2.
VS - Very Small Inclusions.- Inclusions visible when using a 10x magnification on the diamond's table and pavilion. Division into VS1 and VS2 is used, where VS1 indicates better clarity than VS2.
SI - Small Inclusions - larger inclusions visible under a 10x magnification but not visible to naked eye. Division into SI1 and SI2 is used, where SI1 implies better clarity than SI2.
P1 - 1st Pique. Inclusions visible to naked eye but hardy recognizable.
P2 - 2st Pique. Inclusions visible to naked eye and easily recognizable.
P3 - 3st Pique. Inclusions visible to naked eye - they cover more than 50% of the stone's surface.
Cut
Cut is extremely important element of assessment. The term is used to describe the quality of the cut of the diamond. Proportions and symmetry are taken into consideration - including possible imperfections regarding symmetry and polish. Only a well cut diamond is suited to handle light internally creating more scintillation and sparkle, where the light rays can reflect internally and disperse, whereas additional reflection of light from external surfaces of the stone results in its perfect brilliance.
The most desired cut on the market is the brilliant cut.
Other popular cuts:
Cut affects brilliance of a diamond. Brilliance is the result of the internal and external reflection and dispersion of white light and reflection of light from external surfaces of the facets.
Carat weight
Carat is a unit of weight for diamonds and other gems.
One carat ( 1 ct ) equals to 0,2 gram.
The name carat was derived from the use of the carob bean seeds. The weight of the carob seed is about 0,2 g and due to that the seeds were used to weight gemstones especially in the Middle East countries.
Diamonds weight is strictly related to its diameter and its depth. A brilliant cut diamond with the assumed correct values: diameter 2,5 mm and depth 1,5 mm should be of the weight 0,05 ct . 0,50 ct stone should be of 5,2 mm diameter and 3,1 mm depth . Diameter 6,5 mm and depth 3,9 mm suggests 1.00 ct weight of a diamond . Relations between depth and diameter of a diamond change depending on its cut.
5th C as Certificate
Assessment of a diamond's value and quality is not easy. Everybody would like to be sure that they pay for what they want to get, while buying a diamond. In a quest to offer you supreme customer service and a no-risk guarantee diamonds of the weight exceeding 0,50 ct are accompanied by the certificate of the one of the world's most renowned gemmological laboratories. Through cooperation only with the companies of established position on the international diamonds market and following the United Nations requirements, MART DIAMONDS takes proper care to provide top quality gems coming only from the conflict-free countries.
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