A diamond is one of the most exquisite gems you’ll ever lay your eyes on. Its breathtaking display of color and beauty can mesmerize you. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend and definitely in a league of their own.
Over the centuries the diamond acquired its unique status as the ultimate gift of love. Since the beginning of time, diamonds have always been associated with romance and legend. The word “diamond” comes from the Greek “Adamas,” meaning unconquerable, suggesting the eternity of love. The Greeks also believed the fire in the diamond reflected the constant flame of love.
Understanding the four Cs can be helpful when buying the right diamond for the one you love.
Cut: A well-proportioned and symmetrical cut diamond shows the maximum amount of light and brilliance. When a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow, light leaks out of the bottom of the diamond, instead of reflecting back to you.
The shape of the diamond is often confused with the cut. The most common diamond shapes are round brilliant, marquise, oval, pear, emerald and princess cut.
Color: A diamond acts like a prism. When light enters a diamond, it breaks it down and transforms it into an amazing rainbow of color. Color is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The most valuable diamonds are colorless. The absence of color allows the natural light to pass through.
Clarity: Most diamonds have natural inclusions or imperfections that were formed during the crystallization process. The number, size, position and type of these inclusions determine the clarity of a diamond. It is rare to find a diamond that lacks any internal or external flaws.
Carat weight: The physical weight of a diamond. Diamonds are weighed in units called carats. One carat is equal to 100 points, so 50 points measures as half carat.
Before you purchase a diamond, make sure you shop at a jewelry store that allows you to view the diamonds under a microscope.
For all your jewelry needs please contact Prince of Jewelers at 661-284-6388.