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364 E Palmetto Park Rd.
Boca Raton, FL
33432
(click here for map & directions)
Call us at:
(561) 368-5330
Store Hours:
Tuesday - Friday
10:00 - 5:00
Saturday
10:00 - 3:00
Please call for an
appointment if we cannot serve you during our regular business
hours. |
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| Diamond Grading & Certification |
The four criteria used to evaluate diamonds as objectively as possible are called "the 4 C's." The 4C's are Carat weight, Clarity, Color, and Cut. The classification of diamonds according to these criteria is very important, as it is the chief determinant of the value of the diamond.
Carat Weight
The size of a diamond is critical to its value. The metric carat, which equals 0.20 grams, is the standard unit of weight for diamonds and most other gems. If other factors are equal, the more a stone weighs, the more valuable it will be.
1 ct.
1/5 gram
100 points
4 grainer (not often used in retail environment)
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond refers to the amount, size, type and location of internal flaws (inclusions) or surface imperfections (blemishes) visible in a diamond using 10x magnification. All diamonds have imperfections in them. The "cleaner" the diamond, the higher the value.
The following is the GIA Diamond clarity-scale:
- FL-Flawless: These stones have no imperfections inside or on the outside of the stone when viewed under the magnification of a loupe of 10 power.
- IF-Internally Flawless: These stones have no inclusions when seen under a loupe with a 10-power magnification.
- VVS1, VVS2-Very Very Slightly Imperfect: These stones have very small inclusions, which are very difficult to see under a loupe with a 10-power magnification.
- VS1, VS2-Very Slightly Imperfect: These stones have small inclusions, which are slightly difficult to difficult to see under a loupe with a 10-power magnification.
- SI1, SI2-Slightly Imperfect: These stones have inclusions which are fairly easy to see under a loupe with a 10 power magnification, or visible to the naked eye.
- I1, I2, I3-Imperfect: These stones have inclusions, which range from visible to very easily seen when seen by the naked eye.
Color
Grading color, for non-fancy color diamonds, involves judging how closely a stone's color approaches colorlessness. Most diamonds have at least a trace of yellow or brown. With the exception of fancy color diamonds, such as orange, blue, pink, purple, or red, the colorless grade is the most valuable. If a diamond does not have enough color to be called fancy, then it is graded in a scale of colors ranging from Colorless to Light Yellow, "D" through "Z". A diamond with a "D" color is considered to be colorless. If the color is more intense than "Z", it is considered fancy. A fancy yellow diamond will sell for a far higher price than a light yellow diamond.
Color |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
Fancy |
Scale |
Colorless |
Near Colorless |
Faint Yellow |
Very Light Yellow |
<------Light Yellow------> |
Color |
Fancy yellows are graded in four categories: fancy light yellow, fancy yellow, fancy intense yellow, and fancy vivid yellow. Intense and vivid yellows are the rarest and, of course, the most expensive. See fancy color chart below.
Fancy Vivid The value goes down, as the color gets lighter
Fancy Intense $$$$
Fancy $$$
Fancy Light $
Cut
Cut or proportion is the only property of a diamond that is totally dependent on human intervention. Cut is the most important criteria to consider when choosing a diamond as it alone affects the "sparkle". Due to their high value fancy color diamonds are sometimes cut to retain maximum weight, this can adversely effect their brilliance. It is crucial to check the cut of a fancy color diamond. Diamonds are evaluated for the quality of the cut as graded on the following scale: VG (Very Good), G (Good), M (Medium) or P (Poor).
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