Diamond Tutorial
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Internationally, diamonds are classified and estimated according to the four C's:
Color
Clarity
Carat
Cut.
Color and Clarity are natural characteristics of the diamond and cannot be changed.
Carat and Cut are controlled by the diamond cutter.
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The most important characteristic, which affects a diamond's value is the cutting process.
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There are three elements that determine the
qualiy of a diamond's cut. These elements can be found on any given diamond's certificate.
- Symmetry.
- Polish.
- Proportions.
Symmetry and Polish are given one of the following grades: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Ideal.
The Proportion appears on the certificate but is not graded.
A good example of an ideal cut diamond is a 1 carat round diamond that measures 6.5 mm in diameter, has a Depth percentage of 61, and a table percentage of 53-57.
Since diamond dealers charge based on the carat weight, some diamond cutters will try to preserve the weight of a diamond by paying attention to the weight rather than the cut and the brilliance of the diamond.
You end up paying MORE money for LESS quality.
Large-Diamonds is offers you only the top quality diamonds in the diamond industry today.
We buy our diamonds directly from specific diamond cutters, those who can bring the highest quality results using the best skills and latest technology.
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Carat represents the weight of the diamond.
1 carat = 0.2 grams = 100 points.
For instance - a 75 point diamond would be a diamond that weighs 0.75 Carat.
The larger the diamond, the rarer it becomes, therefore a 1 Carat Diamond will always be worth more then two 50-point diamonds of the same quality.
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The highest clarity term used in the Gemology industry is FL (Flawless).
A diamond is considered flawless if no inclusions or blemishes can be detected when magnified tenfold.
| FL | Flawless | Shows no inclusion or blemishes of any sort. |
| IF | Internally Flawless | Has no inclusions but will have some minor blemishes |
| VVS1 & VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included | Contains minute inclusions that are difficult even for experienced graders to see under 10X magnification. |
| VS1 & VS2 | Very Slightly Included | Contains minute inclusions such as small crystals, clouds or feathers when observed with effort under 10X magnification. |
| SI1 & SI2 | Slightly Included | Contains inclusions that are noticeable to an experienced grader under 10X magnification. |
| I1, I2 & I3 | Included | Contains inclusions that are obvious under 10X magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance. |
(GIA Education)
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Most people outside the diamond trade think of diamonds as colorless.
The truth is that colorless diamonds are very rare.
Most diamonds used in the industry are nearly colorless, with faint yellow or brown tints.
The GIA grades a diamond color using the letters D-Z, with D being closest to colorless.
The LESS color - The HIGHER the value.
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Many people can refer to a diamond's cut having the shape in their mind.
As explained above, the grade of a diamond's cut is a combination of polish, symmetry and proportions, which varies from one shape to the next.
A diamond has three parts: Crown, Girdle and Pavilion.
The part of the diamond that is actually seen from the top is the Table and the Crown.
A Table is the large facet on the top of a diamond.
Some diamonds also have a "Culet" that is a little flat facet at the bottom of the pavilion.
A well cut Round Diamond will have the Culet marked on the certificate as "None", or "Very Small".
The depth of a diamond represents the distance between the Table and the Culet.
A diamond that was cut too deep or too shallow will let more light escape from the sides or the bottom.
Cut = Polish + Symmetry + Proportions
Large-Diamonds is commited to the highest possible standard of cut for all shapes and sizes.
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