Understanding the 4 C’s for Diamond Shopping
When it comes to shopping for diamonds, there are a few rules that you need to keep in mind. Following these rules will make your diamond shopping easier and will allow you to choose the best diamond you can afford to buy.
The first of the 4 C’s that you probably already have a good idea of is carat. All precious commodities, such as diamonds, are given a system based on weight. While the cut of the diamond is typically what shows off the diamond the most, the carat has a huge impact on its pricing. However, it is important to realize that the diamond’s shape does not necessarily have an effect on the diamond’s carat weight. Diamonds can be cut to look larger than they actually are, so you can get a large looking diamond, although the weight is actually lower than it would appear.
The diamond’s clarity is the second rule to understand. Clarity is the measure of how clear the diamond is and how the light passes through, reflects and refracts in the diamond. Internal flaws, or inclusions, have an effect on the clarity of the diamond. External flaws, or occlusions, also have an effect on the clarity of the diamond.
Many inclusions are very small and are unnoticeable in many diamonds. However, there are inclusions that can detract from the diamond’s appearance. Clarity is perhaps the one area that you can sacrifice a certain amount of perfection in for the sake of your pocketbook. The best way to check for inclusions is to use a jeweler’s loupe. The loupe will allow you to see any dark inclusions that are within the diamond. If you find a diamond that you can readily see inclusions in with your naked eye, you will want to continue your shopping.
Not all diamonds have to be perfectly clear. You actually have several color options available to you when shopping for diamonds. Colors for diamonds include yellow, blue, pink and even chocolate. Each type of diamond is graded on a scale. Typically, the more colorless the diamond is, the higher the cost. However, different colors of diamonds may actually be worth more than completely colorless diamonds. For instance, large pink and blue diamonds are rare and worth more than colorless diamonds.
Finally, when shopping for diamonds, you will want to consider the cut. Actually, the cut is likely going to be what attracts you to the diamond in the first place. There are several components to the cut and these include the number of facets, the symmetry, proportion, polish, fire, brilliance and the diamond’s actual shape. There are several cuts available and they all reflect and refract light in a different manner, giving them their all unique look.
Now that you have a firm grasp of what the 4 C’s actually are, you’ll be able to choose a diamond that not only meets your expectations, but is also affordable. Keeping the 4 C’s in mind while you look at all diamonds will allow you to choose the best diamond for your money.
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