A Guide from The Jewelry Exchange: Understanding Diamonds and Their Classifications

For first-time shoppers, it's important to understand how a diamond is classified so that you can be sure you understand what you're paying for. After all, most people that buy diamonds intend for them to be worn for a very long time—on a wedding ring, for example. Buyers will want to be sure that they understand the qualities and characteristics of gems so that they can appreciate the value of their purchase and understand exactly what they're paying for. This guide from The Jewelry Exchange can help you find out what you need to know.

The 4 C's
Cut: The way a diamond is cut is extremely important. When they are mined, they come out in raw shapes and sizes. For a diamond to achieve its maximum aesthetic value, it must be cut and shaped to fit jewelry, but also maximize the effect of scattered light passing through it. For this reason, they are cut with many different panels, or facets, that act as tiny mirrors that reflect light from one to another. Well-cut stones are neither too deep nor too shallow. Ideally, light passes in through the top or "table" of the stone, is reflected down through the base, and returns and reflects back brilliantly through the top.

Color: Colorless diamonds are the most expensive because they allow for the maximum reflection of each color in the light spectrum. They are classified on a spectrum according to their color: from colorless to fancy yellow. Those graded D-F are colorless. Those graded G-J are nearly colorless. Those graded K-M are very faintly yellow. Those graded N-R are faintly yellow and S-Z are light yellow.

Carats: The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. One carat = 200 milligrams. Because a significant amount of the raw diamond is discarded in the cutting process, large cut stones are extremely rare. The price of the gem increases exponentially as carat increases.

Clarity: The clarity of a diamond is another extremely important factor—both for its appearance to the naked eye and for the way that it reflects light. Most have some external imperfections, called blemishes, and internal imperfections, called inclusions. Most blemishes can be removed through the polishing process so that when gems are rated for clarity, they mainly take into account inclusions. Clarity ratings are abbreviated. FL stand for flawless and IF stands for internally flawless. VVSI stands for very slightly included and VSI stands for very slightly included. SI stands for slightly included and the I stands for included. For all of the rankings with the exception of included diamonds, the internal flaws are virtually invisible to the naked eye.
Now that you know about the 4 C's, visit www.jewelryexchamge.com to find the diamond to suit your dreams.

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