|
Four C's of diamond grading.
Carat
Weight * Cut * Color * Clarity |
Carat Weight
Diamond size is determined by its carat weight. One
carat is divided into 100 points. A 50 point diamond
is 1/2 carat or .50 carats. Carat was derived from
(believe it or not) the use of the carob plant seed.
See our charts in the drop down info menu's above to
get an idea of the physical size of a diamond.
|
Cut
This term is used to describe the quality of the cut
(not the shape) of the diamond.
A well cut diamond is better suited to handle light
internally creating more scintillation and sparkle
(fire).
Proportions and symmetry as well as polish are taken
into consideration. |
Cut
Grades |
|
Very Good |
Exceptional brilliance
with few and only minor outer marks. |
|
Good |
Good brilliance. Some
outer marks. |
|
Medium |
Slightly less
brilliance. Some larger outer marks. |
|
Poor |
Less brilliance. Large
or many outer marks. |
Color
A diamonds
color is at its best by not showing any color at all.
Diamonds are mined in a range of color, white to
faint yellow or brown, to the very rare fancies such
as pink, blue and green. |
Color
Grades |
|
Color |
Trade Term |
Color |
|
D |
Blue White |
Colorless |
|
E |
Fine White |
|
F |
|
G |
White |
Near Colorless |
|
H |
Commercial White |
|
I |
Top Silver Cape |
|
J |
Silver Cape |
|
K |
Faint Yellow |
|
L |
Cape |
|
M |
|
|
N |
|
Very Light Yellow |
|
O |
Light Cape |
|
P |
|
|
Q |
|
|
R |
Dark Cape |
|
S-Z |
|
Light Yellow |
Clarity
A Diamond's
clarity is determined when viewed by a trained eye
under 10 power magnification.
Most diamonds contain internally tiny natural birth
marks known as inclusions.
Fewer and smaller inclusions result in increased
passage of light.
This is the essence of a diamond's brilliance and
fire. |
Clarity
Grades |
|
Symbol |
Trade Term |
Description |
|
IF |
Internally flawless |
Free of inclusions
under 10 power magnification |
|
VVS |
Very very small
inclusions |
Very few, very small
inclusions under 10x magnification, difficult to find |
|
VS |
Very small inclusions |
Some small inclusions
recognizable by an expert under 10x magnification |
|
SI |
Small inclusions |
Several small
inclusions, recognized under 10x magnification |
I1
or
PI |
1st pique |
Inclusion recognizable
under 10x magnification. Not diminishing the
brilliance |
I2
or
P2 |
2nd pique |
Larger and or many
inclusions, slightly diminishing the brilliance
recognizable with naked eye |
I3
or
P3 |
3rd pique |
Large and or many
inclusions diminishing the brilliance |
