Diamond Rings: The Four C’s

Diamonds are one of the world’s most rare and valued stones. We use diamonds for all kinds of jewelry. The most popular use of diamonds is in diamond rings. This is also, for many people, the first diamond that they purchase.

Diamond rings are traditionally given as engagement rings. They are also becoming more popular in eternity rings and are being used for dress wedding bands and right hand rings. Diamond stud earrings are classically beautiful and have remained popular for many years. If you are buying diamond rings, then there are some criteria that you should be aware of so that you are getting the most for your money.

Not all diamonds are created equal. There are several things to consider when determining the worth of a diamond. The jewelry industry has regulated how diamonds are judged and valued. When you are shopping for diamond rings, you need to keep “The Four C’s” in mind. This will help you pick the right diamond at the right price.

Cut, clarity, carat and color are the qualities that you will be looking for.

Cut- The diamond’s cut refers to its shape and how it has been cut. The more facets that are present, the more brilliant the stone will appear. Facets are the flat facings on the stone’s surface. Some stones are square or rectangle cut and do not have as many facets, but their classic simplicity and clarity can make the diamond as stunning as a multi-faceted brilliant round cut diamond.

Choosing the right cut and shape is purely a personal preference. You will be able to choose between round, emerald, oval, pear, marquise, radiant, princess or heart shaped diamonds.

Clarity- Flawless clarity refers to a diamond that is completely transparent and clear of any cloudiness, discoloration, carbon flecks, cracks, inclusions and faults. Flawless diamonds are very rare and can be one of the most expensive diamonds on the market. Clarity is categorized by flawless, very very slight (VVS), very slight (VS), and slightly included (SI). Slight flaws can help you to identify your diamond when having it sized or repaired.

Carat- Carats refers to the weight of the diamond. Higher quality diamonds might appear smaller, but weigh more than less perfect diamonds and therefore have more carats. Do not confuse carats with size.

Color- The color of a diamond can range from light yellow to completely clear. Completely clear diamonds are extremely rare and you may not even be able to find one. A diamonds color value is usually determined by the amount of yellow detectable in the diamond. However, if the color is pink or blue, it can actually increase the value. Red diamonds are the rarest in the world. Diamonds also occur in green, orange and purple.

When buying diamond rings, consider The Four C’s. Shop around for the most beautiful diamond you can find that is sure to take her breath away.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of diamond rings, eternity rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

What is a Carat?

Diamonds are popular for jewelry such as diamond rings, eternity rings and necklaces, but many people are unaware of the factors that contribute to the wide price range that diamonds fall into. The price of a diamond is derived from an evaluation of its color, cut, clarity and carat weight. The less color that is visible in a diamond, the more valuable it is deemed to be. Some people perceive diamonds to be colorless, however many diamonds appear to have a normal brownish or yellow tint. A diamond’s cut, which is a significant factor in a diamond’s brilliance, is related not just to the shape of the diamond, but its polish and proportions as well as symmetry. Clarity is a relative measure of a diamond’s blemishes and internal characteristics (inclusions), where a diamond with less irregularities and inclusions will exhibit more brilliance, thus affecting a higher purchase price. Carat weight refers to the actual weight of a diamond, measured in carats, which is abbreviated “ct.” While each of the above factors contributes to the determined value of a diamond, here we examine what is meant by the fourth factor in determining a diamond’s value, carat weight.

The carat weight is simply how much a diamond weighs, but it must be measured in an industry specific way. A carat is a metric measurement that is equivalent to slightly more than seven thousandths (0.007) of one ounce. Diamond weights are measured with the accuracy of a thousandth of a carat but are given a weight that is rounded to the nearest hundredth. Diamonds weighing over one carat are designated as a decimal number up to the hundredths, such as “1.23 carats.” Such a weight would be expressed as “one carat and twenty three points.” A diamond weighing less than one carat is also represented as a decimal, such as 0.72, in which case it would be said to weigh “seventy two points.”

Though a diamond’s value is determined by its weight in carats, a two carat diamond would cost more than two times the amount that an equivalent one carat diamond would cost. Diamonds with adequate quality to be used in jewelry are rare finds, with larger diamonds being even less commonly discovered than smaller ones. As economics demonstrates, the more limited the supply a valuable product, the higher cost it will claim. As such, there is no defined measurable rate representing a diamond’s cost per carat. Rather, larger diamonds fetch an exponentially higher price per carat than the more common smaller ones.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings, diamond rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.