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 are Diamond Flaws?

If you are in the market for diamond rings, you may have questions about diamond quality and diamond flaws. What types of flaws are acceptable? How do you tell if the diamond you are looking at is worth the asking price? These are a few things to consider when selecting your diamond.

Most diamonds have flaws. Very few are perfectly clear. A perfectly clear diamond, or flawless diamond, is very rare and can be extremely expensive. Diamond flaws are called inclusions. There are two types of inclusions to consider when you are shopping for a diamond. Not all inclusions are bad. In fact, some inclusions can help you identify your diamond. Inclusions are like your diamond’s fingerprint, and can help you to ensure that when you send off your diamond ring for repair or resizing, that you actually get your diamond back. It is rare for jewelers to try and replace you diamond with a fake one, but being able to identify your unique stone will give you peace of mind and keep you from getting ripped off.

Epigenetic inclusions are flaws that happen when the diamond was in production. Epigenetic flaws are usually in the form of pits, scratches, nicks, laser lines, bearding or cleavage.

A cleavage is a crack in the diamond. A cleavage can cause your diamond to break apart. Pits are small holes in the facets of the diamond. Pits and scratches can usually be polished away and do not take away much value once they are removed. Bearding refers to stress fractures. These can happen around the girdle where the prongs touch and are sometimes referred to as girdle fringes. Laser lines happen when flaws are removed with a laser and a scar is left inside of the stone. Feathers are tiny lines that look like feathers and do not hurt the stone unless they are very close to the surface.

Naturally occurring flaws are called syngenetic inclusions. Syngenetic flaws are ones that were formed as the diamond was growing. Irregular crystallization, growth lines and pinpoints are naturally occurring inclusions. These can be harmless, but can give a diamond a cloudy appearance. Occasionally the crystal clusters reach the outside surface of the diamond and can cause it to chip or break.

Any time you look at a diamond in the jewelry store or online, all inclusions should be disclosed. You should look for up close pictures of the diamonds or look at it yourself through the jewelers loop. If it is very clear and cheap, then you should be suspicious. If it is cloudy and expensive, then you may be paying too much. The best way to tell if you are getting a good price is to look at a lot of diamonds until you get a sense of which diamonds should cost more and which diamonds should cost less.

Once you have settled on a diamond, inspect it closely with a jewelers loop and map out the flaws for yourself. Tiny cracks, feathers or small black carbon flecks can help you to always identify your diamond.

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.