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It is important to
Blaze Diamond that you know as much as possible about how diamonds are
valued, to make an informed and educated decision. The value of a
stone is determined by criteria known as the 4 C's - Cut, Color,
Clarity and Carat Weight. Besides the information below, you can find
out more about
the 4 C's at DeBeers' web site.
CUT
The cut of a stone
determines the efficiency of its use of light. When the stone is cut
correctly, light is reflected from one facet to another, then
dispersed through the top of the stone. If the cut of the stone is
too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the
pavilion. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the
pavilion before it can be reflected.
The most popular
geometry or shapes are round, marquise, pear, emerald, oval and
heart. Independent of the geometrical shape, a well-cut diamond is
the work of a master cutter and will radiate the most sparkle and
brilliance.
More
information about the cut of a stone can be found at
DeBeers' "4
C's" web site.
COLOR
Diamonds range from
colorless to very rare pinks, blues, and greens. Except for these
rare exceptions, the most desirable is no color at all. Because they
are rare, they are the most valuable. A totally colorless diamond
allows light to pass through it easily, resulting in the light being
divided into the entire spectrum of the rainbow.
Colors are graded
from completely colorless to light yellow. The differences from one
grade to the next are very subtle, requiring a trained eye and
specialized grading equipment to correctly grade and certify your
diamond.
More
information about the color of a stone can be found at
DeBeers' "4
C's" web site.
CLARITY
Most stones contain
very tiny impurities know as "inclusions." An inclusion interferes
with light passing through it. The fewer the inclusions, the more
beautiful and valuable the stone will be. A diamond that is free of
inclusions and surface blemishes is very rare and therefore very
valuable. Note that the chart above is just an example; inclusions
can generally be anywhere in the diamond. As long as the diamond has
a clarity of Slight Inclusion ("SI") or better, the inclusions are so
tiny that they are undetectable and invisible to the untrained eye. A
10x magnification jeweler's loupe is needed to find these microscopic
inclusions.
A diamond's clarity is determined by using a 10-power magnifying loupe
and a gemologist's trained eye. Actual certification of your stone is
accomplished with specialized Dia-Mention equipment and is guaranteed
by the HRD or GIA, but more importantly by Blaze Diamond. Your
diamond is so thoroughly examined that it is 100% Money-Back
Guaranteed.
More
information about the clarity of a stone can be found at
DeBeers' "4
C's" web site.
CARAT WEIGHT
The weight of a
diamond is measured in carats. One carat equals .2 grams. One carat
is also divided into 100 "points." Therefore, a gemstone of 93 points
weights .93 ct. The carat-weight of a gem is the easiest measurement
to determine. Two stones can be of equal carat-weight, but their
value can differ greatly due to their cut, color, and clarity.
More
information about the carat weight of a stone can be found at
DeBeers' "4
C's" web site.
PROPORTION
When the stone's facets have perfect angle and alignment in relation
to each other, the brilliance is spectacular. One of the most
important, yet rarely talked about, characteristics of a stone is the
proportion. A diamond cut to correct proportions will reflect light
back through the table and crown, where an incorrectly proportioned
diamond will lose its brilliance as the light escapes through the
pavilion.
Why is proportion
rarely talked about? Because, most jewelers want to take the most
profit; therefore, they try to push the heaviest stone possible. The
"little secret" many of them will not tell their customers, is that
the highest quality, best proportioned stones are "lighter" in that
more diamond is polished away. Less stone = less weight = less profit
for the jeweler.
The buyer who isn't
protected or who simply doesn't know may pay hundreds or even
thousands more for a stone which has far less brilliance than a less
expensive, well proportioned, certified stone.
POLISH
The polish of a diamond refers to the surface being free of scratch or
defect. A high quality stone has been handled, cut, and finally
polished with the finest equipment and with the finest technique.
This careful and time consuming effort results in a stone that allows
more light to enter and finally allows for more light to be reflected
and refracted back, uninhibited, through the table and crown. An
excellent polish results in a brighter and more brilliant diamond. A
mediocre polish results in an expensive, dull stone.
Our certification
guarantees that every stone we sell is of VG "Very Good" Polish and
"Very Good" Proportions. Please try this for yourself. Go to any
jeweler and have them tell you about their diamonds. Discover if they
touch on these two most important qualities--proportion and polish.
See if they even mention, let alone produce, documentation proving
these qualities in their stones. Finally, compare our value to
theirs.
FLUORESCENCE
This refers to the
natural, blue glow in the stone under ultra violet light. Diamonds
with strong fluorescence have slightly less value than those without.
Of all factors that enter into the valuation of a stone, fluorescence
has the least impact. It is simply one more way to differentiate the
value of stones.
MOST IMPORTANTLY
Please do not rush
into your diamond purchase. Take your time, educate yourself,
evaluate your choices carefully, and ask many questions. It took
thousands of years for nature to form your diamond and the skill of
our master cutter to create a one of a kind masterpiece. The time you
spend now will bring you a lifetime of enjoyment. It is an
investment. Blaze Diamond wants you to take your time, because we
want you to be thrilled with your diamond. We want you to be our
customer for life! |
