Articles

Understanding The Four C's of Diamonds

For many people, purchasing a diamond can be a bewildering experience. To the untrained eyes of many, it can be nearly impossible to distinguish the difference between a “good” or “bad” diamond. By not knowing what you are looking for, you run the risk of overpaying or being scammed into purchasing a fake diamond, or one which doesn’t contain the characteristics that make the diamond worth its purchase price. For those who are unsure what to look for when planning on purchasing a diamond, fear not, there is are a group of well-known identifiable characteristics that will assist you in the process of your search for the perfect diamond.




Advice for Buying a Diamond

They haven’t become a girl’s best friend for nothing. The diamond has become the greatest symbol of long and everlasting love the world has ever seen. With the shine and brilliance that diamonds can exude, something as beautiful and timeless as a flawless diamond can express words that you never could have come up with. So how does a person know they are getting the “right” diamond for a price that accurately represents the total value of the diamond you are looking to purchase. To fully understand what you are getting into, you must understand how the value of diamonds are calculated in the first place. The manner in which a diamond is cut will ultimately heavily influence the overall value of the diamond as well as drastically affect the beauty, brightness and brilliance of the diamond as well.




Buying Diamonds: Making Your Money Go Futher

You’re all prepared to purchase a diamond for whatever purposes, when you realize, you simply don’t know anything about diamonds in general? Is a color diamond better than a clear diamond? What’s better, larger diamond of lower quality or vice-versa? How does the cut affect the stone? What is more popular, a solitaire diamond, or perhaps a cluster of stones? If you know the answers to these questions, then you are likely prepared to go purchase a new diamond today. For the rest of us however, buying a diamond is obviously important yet maddeningly confusing. Here are some common questions that untrained diamond consumers will likely have when searching the market for the perfect diamond.




Diamond FAQ's

  • Where do diamonds originate from?

While most people only think of the final product they see in engagement rings or other diamond jewelry, they rarely give a second thought as to how that diamond came to be in that form with that specific shape and brilliance. Diamonds themselves, are composed of pure carbon atoms that exist deep within the ground, while being exposed to extremely high temperatures and pressure over a period of billions of years. As time goes on, the pressure exerted on the diamonds continues to build, eventually forcing the diamonds up towards the surface of the earth’s crust in a volcanic-like explosion. The diamonds themselves then begin to settle where they are ultimately found by the people searching for them. At times, the diamonds can and will be washed away from natural occurrences like erosion and/or rain eventually settling in a wide variety of locations. These diamonds then become known as primary deposits. Researchers are now discovering that some of the very first diamond deposits, rose to the earth’s surface approximately 2.5 billion years ago! Most believe, that even the most recent diamond discoveries are no less than fifty million years old!




Diamond Shapes

So you think you know what the difference between a “good” diamond, versus a “bad” diamond, and maybe you do but there is so much more to diamonds, and as such it is essential that when searching around to purchase new diamond, you are able to identify the different shapes and the benefits and/or drawbacks of each of these shapes of diamonds. As far as most people are concerned, the typical diamond is your average round gem that is clear and sparkles with an unparalleled brilliance. Naturally speaking, diamonds occur in various degrees of sizes and shapes formed over millions of years buried within the earth. While the round-brilliant cut is arguably the most popular diamond shape, there is so much more to it than that. Here is a list of most of the different types of diamond cuts available to you:



Diamond Certificates

First and foremost, one of the most common misconceptions regarding diamonds is, many people wrongly assume that by receiving an appraisal on a diamond they may be interested in purchasing, or have purchased, that this is the equivalent of receiving a diamond certificate. This is wrong, and can be extremely costly to those who may not realize the major difference between the two. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and the AGS (American Gem Society) are the two most well-known and widely respected diamond certifiers throughout the country. What these two institutes are sanctioned to do is, analyze and verify the specifications of a diamond. This mean that the number of carats, clarity, color and cut among other measurements of a diamond are identified and verified by licensed professionals.



Engagement Rings: How Much Should You Spend?

There are few things in life where you want to make sure you spend enough money. This is especially true on a purchase as costly as an engagement ring. It is certainly understandable though, considering the significance of the potentially major moment in your lifetime you could be about to experience when asking your loved one to marry you. As such, how does one decide how much to spend on an engagement ring? First off, rest assured this is by far the most commonly asked question that diamond experts encounter on a day to day basis. The answer quite obviously varies from person to person and the financial situation that a person may be in at that moment. While the pressure to go as big as possible is going to be there, and while it is commendable that you want to spend a large sum to signify the love you have for your significant other, the fact is, you really shouldn’t go “crazy” so to speak. You don’t need to spend a million dollars for your future fiancé to make her friends jealous!



Diamonds: Grading Scaled & Importance of the Cut

To know why the cut of a diamond, is the most important aspect of a diamond’s defining characteristics, you must first what is being referred to when someone is talking about the cut of a diamond. A diamond cut refers to the proportions of the parts of a diamond and how well that diamond reflects light. When you hear people talking about the brilliance and/or sparkle of a diamond, this is wholly attributable to the cut of the diamond. So if or when you see a diamond that simply put, doesn’t sparkle, you can safely assume that this is or was a result of a poor cut. It is believed by many diamond experts, that of all of the “four C’s”, the cut is the aspect that has the greatest effect on the overall appeal of the diamond from the naked eye.



Diamonds: Does Size Matter?

If there is one lesson that can’t be stressed enough to first time diamond buyers is that, you must shop around and compare diamonds you are considering. This will not only allow you to make sure you are getting a great deal, but it will also deter you from impulse buying a diamond and not getting your money’s worth. For the first time buyer, it is vital that you understand the “four C’s” of diamonds. Before you head out to go shopping, you need to understand the four C’s, which are; Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat Weight. Ultimately it will depend on what your personal preferences are as some people would rather forego quality for size, while other place a larger emphasis on clarity and/or color regardless of the cost. Choosing the diamond which most perfectly fits your specific situation and one that is going to make you happy is ultimately what it comes down to.



Diamond Enhancements: The Good & The Bad

It is not widely known or entirely understood by the average consumer, but there are a wide-ranging variety of treatments and enhancements that a diamond can undergo which may potentially disrupt and either enhance or degrade the overall value of the diamond when it is in its natural state. Any and all diamond merchants are required by law to announce and clearly disclose any and all diamond enhancements and/or treatments. This is to protect the consumer from getting scammed and/or not getting their money’s worth. Failure on the part of the diamond seller to inform a consumer of any alterations made to the diamond, whether positive or negative, can and will result in potentially extremely costly lawsuits and potential further charges as a result.
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Articles

Understanding The Four C's of Diamonds

For many people, purchasing a diamond can be a bewildering experience. To the untrained eyes of many, it can be nearly impossible to distinguish the difference between a “ [...]

READ MORE

Advice for Buying a Diamond

They haven’t become a girl’s best friend for nothing. The diamond has become the greatest symbol of long and everlasting love the world has ever seen. With the shine [...]

READ MORE

Buying Diamonds: Making Your Money Go Futher

You’re all prepared to purchase a diamond for whatever purposes, when you realize, you simply don’t know anything about diamonds in general? Is a color diamond bette [...]

READ MORE

Engagement Rings: How Much Should You Spend?

There are few things in life where you want to make sure you spend enough money. This is especially true on a purchase as costly as an engagement ring. It is certainly understandab [...]

READ MORE

Understanding The Four C's of Diamonds
READ MORE

Advice for Buying a Diamond
READ MORE

Buying Diamonds: Making Your Money Go Futher
READ MORE

Diamond FAQ's
READ MORE

Diamond Shapes
READ MORE

Diamond Certificates
READ MORE