subject: Shenoa And Co Provides Basic Information About The 4 C's Of Diamonds [print this page] The following section contains all the information you need in order to wisely select a quality diamond. Learn a how diamonds are professionally graded for color, clarity, cut, and carat weight:
Choosing a Diamond
Before you buy a diamond engagement ring, take time to really understand the quality factors known as the 4Cs--color, clarity, cut, carat-so you feel comfortable juggling them to get just the right combination for you. Knowing how to juggle the 4Cs can enable you to achieve a high-budget look at a reasonable price. Shenoa and Company
"Unbreakable","Unalterable",and "Untamed" were some of the earliest words used to describe the world's most precious gemstone: The Diamond. The everlasting properties of these remarkable natural-occurring gems are what make them the top choice for engagement rings. Buying an engagement ring is an important event for you and your fiance, and choosing the right diamond is key. Should you go for a larger diamond or choose a smaller stone of higher quality? Is color an important consideration? How does the cut affect the stone? Is a solitaire diamond best, or is a ring with sidestones a better choice?
At Shenoa and Co, strives to provide quality diamonds that can be cherish for a lifetime.
Become familiar with how diamonds are graded for quality. The following section contains all the information you need in order to wisely select a quality diamond.
Being familiar with the 4Cs can enable you to achieve a high-budget look at a reasonable price.
CUT
The first and most important thing to look for when selecting a diamond is the cut. Not to be confused with "Shape"(ie. Round, Square, Oval etc.), Cut determines a diamond's brilliance. A rough diamond is cut and polished until the best look is achieved. The Ideal Cut is one that will reflect the maximum amount of light entering the diamond and cause that brilliant sparkle that diamonds are known for. This cut is rare, and the cost of a diamond with an ideal cut will be significantly higher. Some people prefer to buy a larger diamond regardless of it's cut. Other shoppers may simply want a diamond with the best color. These differing factors partly explain why not all diamonds are an ideal cut. Many gemologists consider cut the most important diamond characteristic because even if a diamond has perfect color and clarity, a diamond with a poor cut will have dulled brilliance. The width and depth have the greatest effect on how light travels within the diamond, and how it exits in the form of brilliance. Each facet should be precisely cut while maintaining good symmetry and polish of the diamond. Shenoa And Co
If a Diamond is cut..
Too Deep: Light entering from the top escapes out the sides causing the diamond to appear dark and dull.
Too Shallow: Light entering from the top is lost out the bottom causing the diamond to lose brilliance.
Ideal: Light will enter the diamond directly from the top and bounce effectively off of each facet within the diamond then return back through the top creating a brilliant sparkling effect.
Consider the various Cut Grades: Shenoa and Company
Ideal Cut: Maximum light reflection, superior proportions, showcases the true beauty of a diamond, very rare, expensive.
Excellent Cut: Higher grade with great symmetry and light reflection, more available than ideal cut and less expensive.
Very Good Cut: The most common cut, reflects slightly less light then the EX (Excellent) Cut, moderately priced.
Fair Cut: A step lower than the VG (Very Good) Cut, slightly below-average brightness, most affordable cut.
Poor Cut: These diamonds are highly undesirable due to their dark appearance and low value.
*Grading certificates will show the key diamond measurements in relation to cut as well as other important information.
Once you have chosen a cut grade that fits your preference and your budget, the most difficult selection criteria is done. Let's make the next selection: Color.
COLOR
The best color for a diamond is NO color. A totally colorless or "high-color" diamond best allows white light to pass effortlessly through it and be dispersed as rainbows of color known as "fire". While many diamonds may appear colorless to the untrained eye, the majority contain very slight traces of yellow and brown tones. The intensity of these added hues in a diamond affect their value. When you look at them side by side with a jeweler, you can appreciate the simple beauty of a stone that has no underlying hue. In regards to color you may find a diamond that visually appears white enough though it may have a very slight yellow hue with a "near-colorless" grade. This alone can bring down the price of your diamond purchase significantly. A G.I.A. Certificate will guarantee your diamond's color quality.
*By rare accidents of nature, such as impurities or structural defects diamonds may occur in twelve other colors which are called Fancies. They are graded based on the characteristics of the color, such as the tone and saturation of it's hue. They are extremely rare (ie. Red Diamonds) and can be quite expensive.
CLARITY
Forming under high-pressure conditions deep within the Earth, Diamonds rarely escape without some minor additives. These are called inclusions. They are tiny impurities or blemishes found within a diamond that may or may not affect it's light-reflecting abilities and durability. Another thing they affect is value. A diamond's Clarity is measured as the degree to which a diamond is free from these natural imperfections. The fewer the inclusions the rarer the stone. Diamonds are inspected for clarity at 10x magnification. Typical inclusions are: clouds, feathers, crystals or minerals, and cavities to name a few. Blemishes, which are present on the surface, can be polish lines, scratches, chips, and pits.
Most diamonds contain very tiny natural birthmarks known as inclusions. Inclusions interfere with the passage of light through the diamond and therefore effects the diamond's brilliance. Most inclusions require magnification to become visible. The fewer the inclusions the rarer the stone. The degree to which a diamond is free from these imperfections will determine the Clarity of the gem.
FL, IF - Flawless: No internal or external flaws. Internally
Flawless: No internal flaws. Very rare and beautiful diamonds.
VVS1, VVS2 - Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification. An excellent quality diamond.
VS1, VS2 - Very Slightly Included: Inclusions are not typically visible to the unaided eye. Less expensive than the
VVS1 or VVS2 grades.
SI1, SI2 - Slightly Included: Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification, and may be visible with the unaided eye. A good diamond value.
I1, I2, I3 - Included: Shenoa does not carry diamonds of I-grade clarity.
CARAT
Cost can be the most important aspect of your diamond purchase. Diamonds are priced by the PER CARAT basis. There are weight categories that will effect the price per carat for a specific quality diamond. As weight category increases so will price per carat. The weight categories are:
.70 - .89ct
.90 - .99 ct
1.00 - 1.49 ct
1.50 - 1.99 ct
2.00 - 2.99 ct
SHAPE
It's fairly common to confuse a diamond's cut with its shape. The cut describes a diamond's light performance, dimensions and finish. Shape refers to the overall outline of the diamond when viewed from the top. Round is far and away the most popular diamond shape, followed by squared shapes such as princess, Asscher, and emerald.
CERTIFICATES: Shenoa and Company
A Diamond Certificate is a document issued by a laboratory describing a diamond or jewelry product. There are various laboratories that grade gems and jewelry. A Diamond Certificate or report issues a "grade" indicating the physical properties of the Diamond "at the time of evaluation". A certificate is a document which retains its value over a long period of time, assuming the Diamond does not chip or is not otherwise altered.
There are various Laboratories that grade diamonds. The diamonds that are graded are popularly called "certified" or "certified diamonds", while actually these diamonds should be referred to as being accompanied by a grading report, or quality report. Shenoa and Company sells diamonds that come with grading reports from the Gemological Institute of America, one of the most well known, as well as the Laboratories below:
GIA -Gemological Institute of America, AGS- American Gem Society, IGI - International, Gemological Institute, EGL - European Gemological Laboratory, HRD -Antwerp Diamond High Council, NGL - National Gemological Laboratories, PGS - Professional Gem Sciences
Shenoa and Co. employs GIA graduate gemologists to find and analyze jewelry that passes through it's inventory.
Shenoa And Co Provides Basic Information About The 4 C's Of Diamonds
