Carat is the unit in which diamond is weighed. One carat equals to 0.2 grams or 200 milligrams. Carat weight is the prime factor that determines the weight of a diamond. Bigger diamonds are undoubtedly costlier. Carat makes expressing diamond weight easier as compared to milligrams. Instead of giving three labels to diamonds weighing 20 milligrams, 211 milligrams and 220 milligrams, carat offers a category for fitting the diamonds in a one category, placing these diamonds in one-carat range.

One should not forget that high carat weight does not necessarily mean bigger looking diamond. Even diamonds of the same weight can differ on basis of other factors, especially cut that influences perceived size. If you are looking for diamonds with great cut and brilliance, look for lesser carat weight for bringing the rate down. A little difference in carat can also change the rate of the diamond.

Large diamonds are rare to find and much in demand as compared to small diamonds even of the same quality. The price of a one-carat solitaire diamond ring is more than the ring that has many small diamonds with total of one-carat weight fitted in it. Diamond comparison is not effective until you compare the diamonds of similar features and qualities. While comparing the value of different diamonds, divide cost of every diamond in accordance with the carat weight and then calculate its price per carat.

You may have witnessed your jeweler discussing points while talking about diamond sizes. This is not in context with the number of facets a diamond has but to the weight of diamond. One carat is equivalent to 100 points so every point is 1/100th of carat. Carat weight also influences a diamond’s price. Because of rarity of larger stones, they are priced higher. Carat weight is an important consideration while buying the diamonds for your self.

While the diamond jeweler talks about the diamond color, he is referring to absence and presence of the color in diamond. Color of a diamond is a result of diamond’s composition and it does not change with time. Colorless diamonds allow light to travel through them as compared to the colored diamonds. These diamonds also emit better fire and spark. The process, through which a diamond is formed, is the deciding factor for its color. Whiter the diamond is higher value it has.

For grading the whiteness of diamonds, jewelers refer GIA’s color scale that starts the rating with D for the colorless diamonds and comes down Z as the traces of light yellow or brown color are found in the diamonds. If you are wondering which color grade to go for, then diamonds that are graded from D to F are amongst the most desirable and valuable stones. These diamonds are a delight for the diamond lovers. Nevertheless, if you have a low budget, you can also find good diamonds with lower grades. These diamonds are not exactly colorless but show no color to untrained eye.

Consider the setting of the diamond before choosing the grade of diamond. If the setting for your diamond is platinum or white gold, go for high color grades and you want to get it fitted in yellow gold, slightly low grade diamonds can also look great. While you will find faint yellow hint in the diamonds that are graded from J to M, the color can be camouflaged by choosing the right setting for the stone. Many people prefer the warm glow given by low color diamonds.

Fluorescence is found in the diamonds while they are exposed to ultraviolet light with long wave. Under most of the lighting conditions, this effect cannot be seen by eyes. Some people prefer diamonds without this effect while others look for it. It is all about the aesthetics.

Diamond clarity means finding out characteristics of a diamonds including the blemishes and inclusions. If you consider the pressure that is created on diamonds and that they are not produced in sterile laboratory, you will be not be surprised to know that most of these diamonds are not free of flaws.

Usually there are two kinds of flaws found in diamonds – blemishes and inclusions. Inclusions are internal flaws that are found in diamonds including cracks, air bubbles, and minerals that are non-diamond. Most of the blemishes occur at the time of cutting process. The diamonds that have lesser blemishes and inclusions are considered valuable as compared to the ones that have less clarity.

On basis of clarity, grades are given to diamonds under loupe magnification. These grades vary from the ones that do not have blemishes and inclusion at all- flawless and the Included 3 category where diamonds have heavy inclusions, blemishes that can be seen by untrained eye too. There are different grades given to diamond like IF, F, VVS1-VVS2, SI1-SI2 and I1-I2-I3. Diamond’s clarity grade is proof of the identity of a diamond.

GIA certificates consist of diamond inclusion’s plot, as there is no similarity between two diamonds. The plot of the GIA certificate ensures the worth of diamond you are planning to buy. It lets you have an assurance that the diamond you are receiving is the one you have paid for. If you are in a fix about what clarity grade you should go for, flawless is the best and rarest clarity grade but you can find other diamonds that are stunning even though they have flaws.

Until the time you do not reach grade I, clarity of diamond will have impact on its value but on the diamond’s appearance. Diamonds that are VS and VVS grades are great in terms of appearance and value. You can also invest in cheaper options that include SI2 and SI1 where inclusions cannot be seen by naked eyes.

People often get confused diamond shape with diamond cut. Shape of the diamond is the outward appearance. When the diamond jewelers use the word cut, they are referring to reflective qualities of the diamond not their shape. Quality of diamond cut is a crucial part of 4Cs of diamonds. A great cut provides brilliance to the diamond. Finish and angles of all the diamonds lets you determine the diamond’s ability to handle light that results in its brilliance.

When a diamond has a good cut, light travels through it easily, adding to its spark. The light that is passed through the diamond because of cut is alone responsible for making the diamonds shine and increase their desirability. If a diamond is not cut properly, light enter through table but after reaching the facets, it leaks out from bottom or side, cutting down its brilliance.

Many gemologists believe that best of diamond cuts are made after following formulae calculated for maximizing the brilliance. The formulae are in the proportions of the diamond, especially in the context of how depth compares to diameter. If you are buying diamonds without AGS certificates, invest some time finding certified diamonds and gain some knowledge for identifying better cuts. Cuts also influence the outward appearance of the diamonds.

Variance in proportions of poor cut and ideal cut is difficult to find out by casual observer. As cut is important, you can make use of different grading methods for determining the cut of a specific diamond. Selection of grade cut is based on a person’s preference. For making the best of selections, one needs to be acquainted with different grades.

Ideal diamond cut has maximum brilliance and the small table size of these diamonds work in the best possible way to create fire or dispersion. With ideal cut diamonds, you can be sure of having the finest thing in return of the money invested. This category is just for round shaped diamonds. Premium cuts are also equivalent to ideal cuts in round diamonds but the price is slightly lower. Very Good diamond cuts reflect maximum light entered in them, providing fair amount of brilliance to the diamonds.

Good Cut diamonds reflect most of the light that passes through them. The proportion of these diamonds is outside the preferred range. Diamonds that fall under this category lets you save money without compromising on beauty and quality of the diamond. Fair and Poor quality diamonds reflect very little proportion of light that is entered to them. These diamonds are cut in order to increase carat weight above all the other considerations.