To buy desirable diamond jewelry, consumers need to understand diamonds from a professional perspective. The way to do this is to recognize the 4C, the international standard for evaluating diamonds. The four Cs are Weight, Color Grade, Clarity Grade, and Cut Grade.
1. Carat Weight
Diamond weight is calculated in carats, or commonly called “cards”, 1 carat is equal to 100 points, a 0.5 carat diamond, can be written as 50 points. One calorie is equal to 0.2 grams, which means that one gram is equal to 5 calories. The bigger the diamond, the rarer it must be. For first-time diamond buyers, try to start by choosing the size of the diamond. However, even two diamonds of the same carat weight can vary in value due to different colors, clarity and cut, so there are other aspects that should be considered when purchasing diamonds.
2. Color Grade
More common in the market are the Cape series diamonds, which can be classified as “colorless transparent” to “nearly colorless” and “light yellow”. The color grade is determined according to the GB/T 16554-2017 “Diamond Grading” standard, starting from “D” color to “Z”. Color is D, E, F, also known as transparent colorless, is extremely rare, the difference between them to rely on experts very carefully to identify. The more common color is G to L, also known as nearly colorless. Experts will be easier to distinguish, but the average person is difficult to distinguish, if set in jewelry is more difficult to detect. The color is below M, also known as light yellow, the average person may be able to distinguish, but the price is obviously much cheaper. In fact, diamonds have other colors, called colored diamonds, it can be yellow, pink, blue, green, red, black, kaleidoscope, but very rare, very high value.
3. Clarity
Each diamond is unique and contains inherent inclusions, just like a natural birthmark, and the number, size, shape and color of these inclusions determine a diamond’s clarity and uniqueness. In fact, most diamond inclusions are barely visible to the naked eye. The fewer the inclusions in a diamond, the more the light is refracted, and the diamond is doubly bright. According to China’s “diamond grading” standard, the clarity of identification should be carried out under 10 times magnification, and its grades are as follows:
LC is basically flawless
Very slight internal and external features of VVS (experts have to look very carefully to find them)
VS Slight internal and external features (harder for experts to find)
SI micro internal and external features (easier for experts to find)
P has internal and external characteristics (visible to the naked eye)
Diamonds above VVS are rare. The contents of VS or SI are also invisible to the naked eye, but the price is much cheaper, and many people buy. As for the P-class, the price is of course much lower, and if it is bright enough and bright enough, it can also be purchased.
Four, Cut
Cutting represents many things, in addition to shape, including Angle, proportion, symmetry, grinding and so on. When the diamond cutting proportion is appropriate, the light is like a mirror reflection, after the refraction of different facets, condensed in the top of the diamond, emitting a dazzling brilliance. A diamond cut too deep or too shallow will cause the light to flow away from the bottom and lose its luster. Therefore, well-cut diamonds naturally have a higher value.
Post time: Sep-22-2023