Diamond Ratings

Diamonds, diamonds, and a lot of diamonds! We always hear the word and even just a word of it, makes any woman let their imagination soar high above the clouds. Isn't that right, girls. But, there's one thing you should know about diamonds. Have you heard diamond ratings? You should not be easily tricked, the diamond you have may not be what it seems. So be aware, be very aware. Before you go rushing to the jewelry shop, where your diamonds been purchased, know this first.

There are things to consider to rate diamonds. Diamond Ratings are important when determining the value and worth of a diamond. Women, in general, know already or should know about this; when choosing a diamond, beware of the four Cs: Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color. But does this four Cs mean?

Here is the meaning of the four Cs in which diamond ratings are based:

Carat - A diamond's weight is measured in carats and not in size. The size of a diamond has the biggest on its price. The metric carat, which is equal to 0.20 gram, is the standard unit of weight in diamonds and most other gems. If other factors are equal, the more a stone weighs, the more valuable it will be.

Here are several ways to express 1 carat:

1 ct.
200 milligrams
1/5 gram
100 points
4 grainer (but not usually used in retail environment)

It is very important not to mistake carat weight as referring to the dimensions of a diamond. It refers to weight only! Why the difference? It is because the weight can hide in different parts of the stone. You can have well cut, deep cut, shallow cut, or perfect cut diamonds. Some may appear larger than others due to its cuts.

Cut - Diamond cut is the result of a craftsman's kill in transforming a rough diamond into an extraordinary gem by cutting facets of the diamond that will allow light to enter. Light that enters into the diamond will be refracted and exits in a rainbow of colors. The different diamond cuts that you can choose from are oval, round, pear, marquise, emerald, princess, heart, radiant, triangle, and asscher cuts.

Clarity - This refers to the number, position, and size of imperfections that naturally occur in the diamonds.

Color - The color grading system for diamonds uses the letter of the alphabet from D through Z, with D being the most colorless and, therefore, the rarest and most valuable. However, Z having the least color, thus, the least valuable.

The most reputable diamond ratings are performed by independent laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America or GIA and the European Gemological Laboratory or EGL.

Now that you already have the knowledge, which may not be a comprehensive one, about diamond ratings, you can be confident to relate whenever your girlfriends are talking about their "best friends".