YOUR ONLINE YOUR GUIDE
TO DIAMOND QUALITY AND VALUE
(What you need to know before you buy.)

 
 

    A diamond is judged by four distinct factors that combine to determine its value. Theses are called the 4c's.

Carat   Clarity   Color   Cut
 


Carat (weight)

 
 

     The word carat originated in a natural unit of weight: the seeds of the Carob tree. Diamonds were traditionally weighed against these seeds until the system was standardized and one carat was fixed at 0.2 grams (one fifth of a gram).

     One carat is divided into 100 "points" so that a diamond of 25 points is described as a quarter carat or 0.25 carats.

 



Clarity

 
 

     Almost all diamonds contain minute traces of non-crystallized carbon or small non-diamond crystals. Many are not discernible to the naked eye and require magnification to become visible. These inclusions are nature's finger print and make ever diamond unique. However, the fewer inclusions there are, the rarer and more valuable the stone will be..

     The following six catagories are the major industrywide groupings that describe a diamonds clarity. They are listed in the descending order of quality. Fewer than 1% of all diamonds fall with in the flawless or internally flawless catagories.

FL Loupe Clean
(Flawless)

IF Loupe Clean
(Internally flawless - minor surface blemishes)

VVS1 - VVS2
(Very, very small inclusions)

VS1 - VS2
(Very small inclusions)

SI1 - SI2
(Small inclusions)

I1, I2, I3 - P1,P2,P3
(Inclusions: visible to the naked eye)


     Clarity, therefore, is the term that is used to indicate the extent to which the diamond you purchase is free of these natural phenomena.

 



Color

 
 

     Although the majority of gem diamonds appear to be colorless, others can contain increasing tinges of yellow or brown, some of which are referred as champagne diamonds. Rare stones of exceptional color - green, red, blue, pink or amber are know as fancies.

 



Cut

 
 

     Of all the 4C's , cut is the one most directly influenced by humans. The other three are dictated by nature. The cut or make of a diamond will dramatically influence its fire and sparkle, for it is the polisher's skill that releases its beauty..

 


The Fifth "C" ???
Confidence in your Jeweler

 
 

     When you are ready to choose your diamond, see a reliable jeweler. They are the diamond experts and will be happy to explain the Four C's to you. They will tell you the difference between various qualities of diamonds and how these differences affect the price. Don't expect to find any "bargains" in diamonds - quality has its price.

 



 
 

     We hope this information was useful, if you have an further questions please feel free to gives us a call at:

(800) 344-3580
Or drop us an email at:
Info@irvinegoldmine.com

Now that you have all the answers be sure to check out our Wholesale Diamond List…