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Quick Links: tips | cut | carat | clarity | color | certification
There are a few things you should know when purchasing Diamonds.
In order to insure that you will be getting the best quality diamond for your money, please take the time to learn about the 4 C's before investing your money. Most of our diamonds are graded by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), the AGS (American Gem Society) and the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL), so you can rest assured that your diamond is exactly what Obsession Diamonds represents.
The basics you will need to know including the 4 C's of Diamonds.
The measurement and proportion of a cut determines the grade. When cut well, it is able to handle more brilliance, dispersion, and sparkle.
Diamonds are cut and polished into many shapes and sizes. The measurement and proportion of these cuts determines the grade that the cut is given by a gem lab.
There are five grades given:
Excellent
Strict standards and mathematical proportions produce the maximum amount of reflected light and brilliance through the stone. Symmetry is a key element here, and thus the only stones with an ideal cut will be the most brilliant one.
Very Good
This is just short of Ideal. This is an exceptionally cut stone.
Good
These stones are excellent for all jewelery uses because they reflect a good portion of the light that enters the stone.
Fair
This stone reflects less of the light that enters it, and so while the size of the stone might be good for the money, it lacks high brilliance.
Poor
Although not the most brilliant of the lot, these are a very good buy when using in earrings and pendants.
Here are some Cut-Depth (Shape) examples for faceted stones.
Notice how the light is reflected.
Carat refers to the size or weight of a diamond. arat refers to the quality of gold.
Totally different words, yet easily confused. The more carats a diamond is, the more valuable it is because larger stones are rarer.
That's why a 2 carat diamond might cost many times as much as a 1 carat diamond of similar quality.
Some people refer to "points" as a measurement of weight as well. 1 carat = 100 points, so 1/2 carat = 50 points, and 1/4 carat = 25 points. Points allow for a more precise weight when a fraction of a carat is involved.
Clarity describes the clearness and purity of a diamond. This is determined by the number, size, nature and location of the internal (inclusions) and external (blemishes) imperfection. This is determined under magnification by a trained eye (gemologist).
Most diamonds have some flaws or "inclusions" which affect their clarity, or the way that light is reflected formed deep in the earth, and most are not visible to the naked eye. A jeweler will use a "loupe" or magnifying glass to see these imperfections. The fewer flaws a diamond has, the more valuable it is. Diamonds are graded from flawless to imperfect based on how many inclusions there are and how visible each is.
A "flawless" diamond cannot have any inclusions that are visible to a trained eye using a 10X magnification. Flawless diamonds are indeed rare.
Diamonds come in colors ranging from white to brown, with all yellows, blues, greens and reds in between. The less color in a white diamond the rarer it is. A colorless diamond allows white light to pass through it, dispersed as rainbows of color.
White diamonds have the colorless characteristic which allows them to reflect light and sparkle, making them treasured by all. These white diamonds are graded on an alphabetical scale from "D" on down the line. The less color a diamond has the more valuable it can be.
A "D" color diamond is colorless and very rare and therefore very valuable. "Fancy" diamonds are those with colors such as canary yellow, blue, green and red. They are beautiful and interesting in appearance. Fancy diamonds with an intense color are more valuable than colorless diamonds.
Always consider obtaining a grading report that's prepared by a trained professional gemologist after a complete examination of a diamond. Remember that no two diamonds are exactly alike, so every diamond will have its own grading and unique characteristics. The certificate will list all of the 4C characteristics of that diamond as well as provide a diagram reflecting all of its inclusions. Certificates reflect everything about your diamond except for its appraised value, which will be required should you wish to have your diamond insured for insurance purposes.
Gem laboratories all over the world grade and certify stones. The oldest and most respected grading lab is the Gemological Institute of America or (GIA). Another prominent lab is the American Gem Society (AGS). There are many more, some qualified and some not. Check with your jeweler and inquire about these certifications as well as their own certifications should they claim to be a trained professional gemologist.
A grading report, or "certification" does not add value to your stone, and not having one does not detract from its value. Rather, it assures the value of the stone. It proves that you got what you paid for. It's also helpful whenever you need to identify your diamond - if it is ever lost or stolen, or if you give it to someone to do repair work and you want to make sure they gave you your diamond back.
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