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Know Your Diamonds : Fire In Every Gem

Know Your Diamonds : Fire In Every Gem

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Home Page > Shopping > Jewelry > Know Your Diamonds : Fire In Every Gem

Know Your Diamonds : Fire In Every Gem

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Posted: Feb 19, 2010 |Comments: 0
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Diamonds are the kings of gemstones. Their beauty and elegance are unmatched. So when you are considering a diamond purchase its best to know your diamonds quality and make a well informed good decision. Diamond quality varies with a diamonds cut clarity and many other factors which you should be made aware of before you make a purchase. One must know the quality of diamonds if one is to have quality diamonds.

Carat

Of the many things you must consider when buying a diamond, few things are more important than its size. Size is what changes a diamonds price the most, and the size of a diamond is measured in carats. By definition a diamond carat is one fifth of a gram, or 200 milligrams.

Generally, if all other characteristics are similar, the more carats diamonds weigh, the more valuable they are. Ultrasensitive weight scales are used by professional gemmologists to accurately determine the carat weight of a diamond. While it is generally preferred to measure unmounted diamonds, it is possible to estimate the size of a mounted diamond to a high degree of accuracy. Also prices don’t increase at the same rate as the size.

There are price variations around significant weights. As an example, 0.95 carat diamonds may have a lower price per carat than comparable 1.05 carats diamonds. Another consideration you must make is that just because a diamond has a higher carat weight, does not mean that it will look bigger on your finger. Other factors such as the shape of the diamond, how it has been cut and even how big a finger you have can make a difference. Here you can see approximately how big a diamond can be according to their size.

Colour

The colour of a diamond has a big impact on its value as well and diamonds can come in an amazing range of colours. Diamond colour is divided into two main categories.

First you get the “colourless” or “white” diamonds. These diamonds usually have a slight yellowish or brownish tint with the most valuable ones being totally colourless. Colourlessness is highly valued because these diamonds act like prisms, separating white light passing through it into a wide spectrum of colours. The more transparent the diamond, the wider the spectrum of colours. White diamonds are graded according to a colour scale ranging from Colourless to Light Yellow and each colour is assigned a letter from D through Z respectively. A diamond with a “D” colour is considered to be colourless. If the diamonds colour is more intense than “Z” it is considered a “fancy colour”. These range from yellow, to blue, red and even pink, depending on the chemical impurity that’s present in the diamond. Rare colours such as pink can be very valuable.

Laboratories can only grade diamonds which are unmounted. When a diamond is mounted on a ring even a trained professional cannot always tell the difference. Diamond grading is still done by hand because instruments aren’t able to accurately judge the colour. Not everyone can do this either.

It requires talent and a lot of training.

Diamonds colour grades can greatly affect cost. For example a diamond of K colour clarity and a similar diamond of H colour will have a difference of approximately an extra ,700 per carat. If we consider the F colour the price increase will be approximately ,100 per carat. At the D colour grade the increase will be approximately 0 per carat. So consider everything and make your decisions wisely.

Certification

When you are buying diamonds always look for certificated diamonds. Diamond certification is also known as a diamond grading report. A Diamond Grading Report is issued by an independent Gemmological Laboratory which states that the respective Diamond was been examined by experienced Diamond Graders and contains the characteristics as stated in the Report.

The most respected issuer of diamond certification is the Gemmological Institute of America, although other laboratories also provide diamond certification. Properties of the diamond such as weight, measurements, cutting style and many others are listed in the report. It is vitally important that a diamond have a proper grading report.

Minute characteristics of a Diamond can have a major influence on the price. It is easily possible for a buyer to purchase a Diamond of lower value, believing it to be of higher value. Always buy certified diamonds to ensure you get the proper diamond.

Clarity

The clarity of diamonds is a reference to the “clear” or “clean” nature of a diamond. It describes any physical imperfections of the diamond such as cracks, breaks or foreign matter that affect the diamond clarity. Diamonds clarity is measured by a clarity scale which is reproduced here.

FL
Flawless category (FL) diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
IF
Internally Flawless category (IF) diamonds have no inclusions visible under 10x magnification, only small blemishes on the diamond surface.
VVS1 & VVS2

Very Slightly Included category (VVS) diamonds have minute inclusions that are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification. The VVS category is divided into two grades; VVS1 denotes a higher clarity grade than VVS2. Pinpoints and needles set the grade at VVS.

VS1 & VS2

Slightly Included category (VS) diamonds have minor inclusions that are difficult to somewhat easy for a trained grader to see when viewed under 10x magnification. The VS category is divided into two grades; VS1 denotes a higher clarity grade than VS2. Typically the inclusions in VS diamonds are invisible without magnification.

SI1 & SI2

Slightly Included category (SI) diamonds have noticeable inclusions that are easy to very easy for a trained grader to see when viewed under 10x magnification. The SI category is divided into two grades; SI1 denotes a higher clarity grade than SI2. These may or may not be noticeable to the naked eye. SI2 diamonds are not carried in the Fire44 range.

P1, P2, P3

Included category or Pique (P) diamonds have obvious inclusions that are clearly visible to a trained grader under 10x magnification. Pique diamonds have inclusions that are usually visible without magnification or have inclusions that threaten the durability of the stone. The P category is divided into three grades; P1 denotes a higher clarity grade than P2, which in turn is higher than P3. Inclusions in P1 diamonds often are seen to the unaided eye. P2 inclusions are easily seen, while P3 diamonds have large and extremely easy to see inclusions that typically impact the brilliance of the diamond, as well as having inclusions that are often likely to threaten the structure of the diamond. P diamonds are not carried in the Fire44 range.

Cut

The cut of a diamond is another important aspect to consider when selecting a diamond. The diamonds cut is an expression which covers not only the shape of a diamond, but also its proportions and finish. These factors are what determine the sparkle of each diamond. A diamond cut can be done to extract the most beautiful gemstone from it. Diamonds cut in this manner usually have a great loss in weight.

You can also cut the diamond so that it has its maximum weight and value. But this is at a loss to its beauty. This depends entirely on the diamond cutter. The greatest beauty is extracted from a diamond when light enters the diamond and disperses inside it before returning to the eye. Depending on the shape of the uncut diamond, the cutter will select the most suitable cut from a near endless number of variations.

Shape

A diamonds shape depends on it original uncut shape and also on what diamond shape the cutter decides. There are nine main diamond shapes, each one with its unique qualities and exceptional beauty.
• The Round diamond shape is the classic standard and is loved for its sparkle and elegant beauty.

• The Emerald shape is also a classic and brings olden charms with its beauty.

• The Princess shape can be square or rectangular cut and is made up of both step and brilliant-cut facets and it produces and amazing sparkle.

• The Radiant diamond shape combines the grace of the Emerald with the radiance of the Round, giving its namesake more meaning.

• The Asscher shape is similar to the Emerald but is square rather than rectangular but it sports the same table cut as the Emerald shape.

• The Oval diamond shape has a fiery shine and is suitable for small hands and shorter fingers because it gives the illusion of lengthening the hand.

• The Marquise is the diamond shape that looks like an elongated oval with pointed ends. It was originally commissioned by Louis XV of France who wanted it to mirror his mistress’s grin.

• The Pear diamond shape is a combination of the Oval and the Marquise giving it the look of a sparkling teardrop.
• The Heart diamond shape needs no real introduction and it embodies sparkle and an amazing beauty.

Fire44 Jewelleryis a powerful brand offering elegant as well as glamorous gold jewellery with the likes of diamond rings for engagements and weddings as well as more jewellery items, your every purchase is special.

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