LEARN TO BUY A DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING (Part 1 of 4)

Diamond Anatomy

The diagram and terms below explain the various parts of a diamond.

• Diameter: Width of the diamond as measured through the girdle
   

• Table: Large, flat top facet of a diamond

• Crown: Upper portion of a cut stone, above the girdle
   

• Girdle: Narrow rim of a diamond that separates the crown from the pavilion
   

• Pavilion: Lower portion of the diamond, below the girdle
   

• Culet: Tiny facet on the pointed bottom of the pavilion
   

• Depth: Height of a tone, from the culet to the table.

FOUR C's

Before choosing your diamond, you should take a moment and review each of these factors. Learning about diamonds is first learning about the "four Cs" of diamonds – Clarity, Color, Carat and Cut.

Clarity

Clarity denotes the size and number of inclusions in a diamond. These inclusions are due to traces of non-crystallized carbon and make every diamond quite unique.  Large and more numerous inclusions make the diamond less valuable while fewer inclusions make the stone rarer and more expensive.

The Clarity Grades as defined by the Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A) are generally accepted throughout the world.  The grading takes place using 10x magnification using either a loupe or a gem microscope.   Grades range from Internally Flawless to Imperfect 3.

Following are the different grades:

• F-IF: Flawless or Internally Flawless (two grades). No internal inclusions. Very rare.
  

• VVS1-VVS2: Very Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions very difficult to detect under 10x magnification.
  
   

• VS1-VS2: Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions invisible to the naked eye and seen only with difficulty under 10x magnification.
  
   

• SI1-SI2: Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions very difficult to detect under 10x magnification.
  

• I1-I2-I3: Included (three grades). Inclusions visible under 10x magnification as well as to the human eye.
   

Points to remember:

• No two diamonds are exactly the same. So you can compare the uniqueness of your diamond's clarity characteristics with the plot provided on the diamond certificate. It offers assurance that the diamond you pay for is the same diamond you receive.
   

• Flawless diamonds are very rare to find. A diamond does not have to be flawless to be stunning.
   

• Except for "I" grade, a diamond's clarity grade has an impact only on its value and not on its unmagnified appearance.
   

• Diamonds with VVS and VS grades are excellent choices for both value and appearance.
   

• SI1 and SI2 are more affordable and popular. Gemologists call them "eye-clean" - no inclusions visible to the naked eye.

     Continue to PART 2 of 4: Color and Carat