A diamonds quality is determined by four factors commonly known as the
four C's, Cut, Clarity, Color and Cut. Diamond professionals use these four
factors to describe, classify, and value diamonds. When taken together, they
help in evaluate the diamonds quality. For the consumer there a additional
very important "C" called Cost. The carat weight, clarity, color are very
straightforward and will be explained here. However, evaluation of Cut
quality is much more difficult. This is where a expert advice from a diamond
professional can be extremely valuable.
The difference between a diamond that has that has a incredible fire and
sparkle (a WOW stone) and a diamond that is glasslike is primarily due to
the cut. An "excellent" cut, a "good" cut, and a "bad" cut can be subtle to
the untrained eye, but will make a huge difference in terms of the value and
beauty of the stone. An unscrupulous jeweler will sell you a large stone
with superb clarity and color but with an inferior cut for an unbelievably
low price and still make a substantial profit! Canada Diamonds HIGHLY
recommends very good to excellent cut certified diamonds. We only brokers
very good to excellent cut premium diamonds. Our clients find that the money
saved with Canada Diamonds they can afford a larger premium cut diamond at a
higher quality. In fact we will not broker a certified diamond below a very
good cut. Its our reputation at stake.
Diamonds form between 75 and 120 miles below the Earth's surface and are
delivered to the surface through volcanic eruptions. The stones are then
recovered from mines, rivers and beaches. No diamonds have been brought to
the surface within the last 40 million years--as far as we know.
Only about a quarter of the diamonds mined every year become jewelry. The
rest are used for industrial purposes.
Even the most efficiently cut gem remains only about 40 to 50 percent of its
rough weight.
Almost all modern birthstone lists include diamond, popularly recognized
today as the stone for April. Diamond is also the symbol for 60th and 75th
anniversaries.
According to Bottom Line Personal magazine, in the last twenty years, only
two categories of collectibles have stayed ahead of inflation. Stamps, at an
average return of 9.1% and diamonds, at 7.9% per year!
One out of every 3 diamonds sold in the United States is laser-drilled.
One out of every 20 diamond sold in the United States is fracture-filled.
Two out of every 3 diamonds have fluorescence (a diamond's reaction to
ultraviolet light) that causes the diamond to look oily and milky in
sunlight.
Three out of every 5 diamonds are weighed incorrectly to increase the profit
margin of the jeweler.
The average diamond sold in the United States is tinted yellow and will
probably never appreciate in value.
The average diamond sold in the United States has cracks, breaks, or carbon
that you can see with your own eyes.
If we define a good diamond in general terms as a diamond that is big,
white, clean, sparkly, and will appreciate in value over time; less than 25
out of every 1,000 diamonds (2.5%) sold in the United States would classify
as good.
The Greek root word for diamond means unconquerable.
In 1860, Henry Morse opened the first US diamond cutting factory in Boston.
His cutting design is now widely known as the American ideal cut (brilliant
round).
As early as the fifteenth century, the diamond, although only available to a
very few, was prized above all others as the gem for betrothal. It was
acknowledged as the ultimate symbol because of its unique properties,
especially is ability to resist destructive forces.
At the close of the nineteenth century, Tiffany, the famous New York
jeweler, invented a dramatic "open" mounting. In this innovative setting,
the stone was held up prominently by six tiny prongs (like fingers). The new
Tiffany style revealed the diamond fully, and its overall quality--its cut,
color, and clarity--was now clearly visible and could be fully appreciated.
Diamonds have been found in India for at least 3000 years
