Need to Know Information When Purchasing a Diamond

by Brad Morgan

Diamonds are idolized for their extreme beauty and everlasting durability.

If you are confused about why some diamonds are so much more expensive than others, you are not alone. Why oh why can one diamond engagement ring be worth $8000 and another one that doesn’t look that much different to the naked eye be worth only $2000?

The grading system for diamonds is based upon four different elements. Firstly, size will play a large role in the price. This is referred to as the “carat weight,” and it is determined on a 100 point scale. The larger the carat weight, the higher the value.

Price is not solely determined based on the number of carats however. Expensive diamonds also need to have excellent clarity. The means the inside of the diamond should be free from “inclusions”, and the outside of the diamond should be blemish free.

The clarity of a diamond can vary from ‘pure’ to heavily included. This designation is arrived at after anaylyzing the how many inclusions are found as well where the inclusions are located, whether they are tinted, and how large they are.

The appearance or absence of these imperfections is a result of how the diamond was formed underground over thousands of years. Since diamonds are often thought of as the symbol of perfection in our society, the more perfect they actually are under the scrutiny of a microscope, the more expensive they become.

Color is the next element that affects price. Although clarity is important, there are special cases where under certain conditions underground a diamond may have taken on a certain coloration that actually increases its value.

There is a scale of coloration that ranges from “D,” where no color is present, to “Z,” where color is easily visible. There is a spectrum known as “beyond Z,” where the colors are rich and vibrant within the diamond and are referred to as fancy colors.

Lastly we need to understand the effect of the cut on pricing. The quality of the cut may not be as easy to evaluate for an inexperienced buyer as some of the other factors, but it is nevertheless a critical element as it gives the diamond its sparkle.

“Fire” is the ability to flash and flicker upon sight. Cut varies from “excellent,” followed by “good,” “average,” “commercial,” and then irregular. If the diamond is not dazzling, the cut is most likely very poor.

Understand the 4 elements that make a diamond a special and precious gem: carat, clarity, color and cut. Knowing the difference between a dud and a dazzling diamond will be the difference between money spent poorly and money spent with wisdom.

About the Author:

Learn more about diamonds today. Uncover why simulated diamonds can be a great alternative to the real thing, and how to spot inexpensive engagement rings before you pay too much.