Each diamond must be inspected to determine the best value for your money. After examining a diamond with a 4C diamond, you will know the quality of the diamond and be able to estimate the value of the diamond.
The four Cs of a diamond
Quality wedding ring diamonds are among the most coveted gemstones in the world. At Bling Advisor, we take our diamonds seriously so that you get the best diamond quality! So how is the value of a diamond determined? What is considered a well-cut diamond? What makes the perfect diamond shape? What is the perfect diamond color grade?
With so many diamonds to choose from, it can be difficult to know which diamond seems to be the best deal. The 4C Diamond standard aims to regulate the way diamonds are valued and thus provides a valuable tool.
Experts have created this simple international wedding ring diamond grading system using the 4Cs of diamonds:
Diamond cutting
The cut creates the diamond's coveted sparkle and brilliance. When you look at the surface of a diamond, you will notice that there are many surfaces, called facets, that reflect light. Of the four Cs, the cut of a diamond has the greatest impact on the beauty of a diamond. The overall proportions of the stone - the size and position of the facets - constitute the cut.
Experts have studied the optimal proportion of wedding ring diamonds to produce the greatest flash, and diamonds that meet these parameters are considered ideal.
Some common terms about refraction and light:
Brilliance - the combination of all the white light reflected from the surface and inside of a diamond.
Dispersion - the flash of color you see on polished diamonds. Dispersion is also known as fire.
Flicker - the flash you see when a diamond, light, or observer moves.
The diamond cut is too shallow
When a diamond is cut too shallowly, the diamond loses its sparkle because light passes through the bottom of the stone. Shallow cuts are not preferred but can be found at a lower cost.
The wedding ring diamond cut is too shallow
The diamond is cut too deep
When a diamond is cut too deeply, it loses its luster because the light disappears through the sides of the diamond before it reaches the surface. This kind of cutting is not preferred either.
The diamond was cut too deep
Ideal tailoring
The ideal diamond is about the top 3% of diamonds. In a diamond with an ideal cut, light enters and returns through the top of the diamond.
Diamond color
Another factor that determines the value of a diamond is its color. While there are some exceptions to rare-colored diamonds, the more valuable a diamond is, the less colored it is. Completely colorless diamonds are rare.
Color is measured using a letter grade scale. Manually compare the wedding ring diamond to the master to determine its color range. This ranges from pale yellow to completely transparent, or "colorless."
GIA created a color scale that shows the approximate range of color levels. Many gemologists believe that D, E, and F diamonds are colorless.
Diamond GIA
4cs diamond
Clarity of diamond
Diamond clarity is measured by the presence or absence of visible defects. Small imperfections on the surface of a diamond, even those invisible to the naked eye, can change the shine of the diamond and affect its value.
Flawless: No internal or external wedding ring diamond clarity features
Internal flawless: No internal diamond clarity features
Very, very slight includes: difficult to see under a 10x magnifying glass
Minor inclusion: Inclusion usually invisible to the naked eye
Slight including: visible after 10 times magnification, visible to the naked eye
Includes: Inclusions visible to the naked eye
Diamond carat weight
Carat weight is usually the first characteristic we think of in a wedding ring diamond. The word carat refers to the weight of a diamond, not its size. Bigger, heavier diamonds don't always mean more prominent glitter, either. The glitter comes from carefully crafted cuts. You may notice that some diamond jewelry describes the carat weight as CTTW, which includes the total carat weight between all the diamonds in that piece of jewelry. Carat weight has the greatest influence on the price of a diamond.