|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| D E Colorless F |
FL (Flawless) IF (Internally Flawless) |
|
1/2 carat x $2000/carat = | $1000 |
| G H Near Colorless I J |
VVS1&2 VS1&2 SI1&2 |
|
1 carat x $4000/carat = | $4000 |
| K L Faint Yellow M |
I1 I2 I3 |
|
2 carat x $8000/carat = | $16,000 |
| N-R Very Light Yellow | ||||
| S-Z Light Yellow-Intense |
Color refers to intensity of color or the lack of color.
D, E, & F are considered colorless.
Total absence of color. Diamonds in this color range are extremely rare.
G, H, I, & J are considered near colorless.
These stones will look colorless unless you can compare them side by side with a stone in the colorless
category. It is like when you compare shades of white, a white piece of paper may look white until you
compare it to a bright white shirt or to snow. Usually we will use diamonds in this color range or
higher to set in white gold and platinum.
K, L, & M will have a slight tint of color.
Diamonds come in every color of the rainbow. The majority of diamonds in the world will tend in color
toward yellow, brown, and gray. When a diamond in this color range is set into yellow gold it is more
difficult to see the color.
Intense Color
Diamonds range in color from totally colorless to intense color. A diamond that was 1 carat in weight,
round, flawless, and intense red sold a few years ago for $150,000.00. Red is an extremely rare color
for diamonds.
Clarity refers to the internal characteristics of the diamond. The clarity grade is based upon 10 power magnification. The largest inclusion in the stone will determine the grade. A diamond with one large inclusion will have a lower grade than a stone with many small inclusions.
FL (Flawless)
The top clarity grade is flawless. A diamond that is considered flawless is one that has no visible
imperfections under 10 power magnification to the trained eye.
IF (Internally Flawless)
A diamond that is considered internally flawless is one that has no visible imperfections under 10 power
magnification to the trained eye, but will have an external blemish.
VVS1 & 2 (Very, very slightly included)
Two separate grades, 1 slightly better than 2. A diamond in this category will have an inclusion that is
extremely small under 10 power magnification to the trained eye. Study the stone under 10 power
magnification, you will probably not notice any imperfections, then study the stone under
magnification greater than 10 power to locate the largest imperfection, then under 10 power once
again. Once you know where the inclusion is located, if you could not see it before, but you can see it
now, it's a VVS grade. If you can not see the inclusion under 10 power, even though you know it's
there because you saw it under 20 power magnification, then the diamond is at least internally
flawless.
VS1 & 2 (Very slightly included)
Two separate grades, 1 slightly better than 2. A diamond in this category will have an inclusion that is
very small under 10 power magnification to the trained eye. Study the diamond under 10 power
magnification and you will find a pin point size inclusion.
SI1 & 2 (Slightly included)
Two separate grades, 1 slightly better than 2. A diamond in this category will have an inclusion that is
readily visible under 10 power magnification to the trained eye. Any diamond in this category or higher
is absolutely clean to the eye even if you know where the grade setting inclusion is, but you can not
see the inclusion with the unaided eye.
I1 (Included 1)
A diamond in this category will have an inclusion that is visible to the trained eye without
magnification, but will usually only be noticed once the grade setting inclusion has first been located
under 10 power magnification.
I2 (Included 2)
A diamond in this category will have an inclusion that is readily visible to the trained eye without
magnification. Diamonds with this grade are often used for ear studs or pendants where carat weight
may be more desirable than quality.
I3 (Included 3)
A diamond in this category will have an inclusion that is readily visible to the trained eye without
magnification and the durability of the diamond may be in question.
The cut of a diamond refers to proportions and symmetry.
A round diamond that is properly proportioned should be shaped like #1 in the diagram below. The
beauty of a diamond is that it is a prism. If the stone is proportioned correctly, the light that enters
the stone from the top will refract through the diamond and exit from the top the same way that it
came into the stone. You can tell by looking at a diamond from the top if it is properly proportioned.
If it is to deep, the stone will be dark in the center part of the stone. In this case the light is
coming into the stone from the top and exiting from the side of the stone rather than from the top (#2).
If the stone is too shallow (#3), the light will pass through the diamond and exit from the bottom.
| 1/2 carat x $2000/carat = $1,000.00 |
|
| 1 carat x $4000/carat = $4,000.00 |
|
| 2 carat x $8000/carat = $16,000.00 |
|
As diamonds of equal quality go up in size, they go up in price per carat.
All of the diamond weights above are exactly the same color, and cut. As the diamond doubles in size,
it also doubles in price per carat. Some people think that if they can buy a 1/2 carat diamond for
$1,000 then they should be able to buy a 1 carat diamond for $2,000. You can buy a 1 carat diamond
for $2000, it just will be a much lower quality than the $1,000 diamond that weighs 1/2 carat.
