| |
The 4 “C” characteristics that determine the quality and value of a diamond,
standardized by the Gemological Institute of America and honored by Ararat
Jewelers, are Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight.
Cut
The cut of a stone determines its brilliance. A
fine diamond is cut to the angles and
proportions a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into
its ideal brilliance cut. The value of a stone
is determined on how light is reflected by the cut.
Too deep or too shallow will cause less brilliance.
(click images to enlarge)
Color
Diamonds are graded on a color scale established
by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which ranges from D (colorless)
to Z. The lack of color determines the grade.
Ideally colorless or near colorless are all we use for custom settings.
Clarity
An inclusion is anything distrupting the flow of light in a diamond. When light
enters a diamond it is reflected and refracted out. The number of inclusions
determines the degree of brilliance lost.
Carat
Carat is a measure of weight (one carat = .20
milligrams or 100 points). While two stones may have equal weight they can vary
widely in price because of differences in Cut,
Color and Clarity.
|
|