Diamond Grading

Diamonds are known all over the world because of its superlative physical reputation, they are by far the most exquisite gems that have ever walked our planet not to mention they make outstanding abrasives because the only thingthat can scratch them are their fellow diamonds themselves. Their unmatched hardness is never put into question because they never fail to demonstrate their worth.

Diamonds come in various qualities, sizes, and colors. What you might not know is that diamonds possess a wide spectrum of bright colors ranging from hues of yellows, pinks, reds, greens, browns, and blacks to mention a few. In fact there are more than 300 diamond colors that were already identified and each color comes in an infinite number of tones and hues!

However, due to the rarity of colored diamonds, white or colorless ones are commonly used. The worth of a particular diamond can be assessed in so many diamond grading ways but the simplest and the most efficient way is with the use of the 4 C’s method. The C’s represent the diamonds color, clarity, cut, and carat. Each of the 4 C’s is equally important in determining the value of a certain diamond and none of them should be compromised over the other.

This diamond grading process not only measures the price of the stone but also its quality. The grading of diamonds is done to put a numerical figure to the stones as its price tag. The process is simple. It is just like comparing a particular stone against a standard diamond grading scale with pre selected stones used as a match.

Color

While a huge percentage of the diamonds appear to be colorless, some of them have subtle tinges of yellows and browns which can be detected when you compare 2 diamonds side by side. In its finest diamond grade, these stones should be completely colorless or may appear as bright white.

The diamond grading chart for color is characterized by alphabets starting with D onwards until Z. The most colorless, extremely valuable and rare are graded as D and the closer they are to D the higher the price they demand.

Clarity

Clarity is the word used to illustrate the presence or absence of certain impurities in a diamond. Most, if not, all diamonds contain small traces of chemical impurities amongst themselves. The internal flaws are called inclusion while the external scratches are termed blemishes. These natural flaws are sometimes referred to as the nature’s way of putting her finger print to make every diamond distinct. The diamonds are scored from the purest (flawless) to the ones with heavy inclusions and blemishes.

Carat

The weight of all gemstones is measured in units of carats. Since diamonds are very rarely found in larger pieces, a carat is even subdivided into 100 points. Smaller diamonds can easily be referred to as 25 point instead 0.25 carats. Do not be confused for the carat weight of a diamond does not actually measure its dimension and size it only caters to it total weight.

Cut

It is already a given fact that nature gives diamonds its clarity, carat weight, and color. However, it lies in the hands of a skilled cutter to further accentuate a diamond’s assets by revealing it over its flaws. The perfect cut gives each diamond its one-of-a-kind luster and shine. There are numerous factors that a cutter needs to consider before proceeding because he needs to analyze carefully which angle it the diamonds at its finest. They also must cut the diamonds in a way where they can acquire a maximum light to reflect such astounding brilliance.

Diamond grading can be aided with countless high-tech gadgetry provide the most accurate value for these rare minerals. But if you ask me, nothing replaces the dexterity of a trained human eye.