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Diamond State Jewelers
1106-A S. Pine St.
Cabot, AR 72023
Tel: (501) 941-3533
Fax: (501) 941-3536
Our Store Hours
Tues to Fri: 10-6
Saturday: 9-12
Sun & Mon: Closed
Map to our store
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CARAT : A diamond’s weight is measured in what is known as a ‘carat’, which is a small unit of measurement equal to 200 milligrams.
Carat is not a measure of a diamond’s size, but rather a measure of a diamond’s weight.
One carat can also be divided in 100 points. A .75 carat diamond is the same as 75 points or 3/4 carat diamond.
Because larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, they are more valuable.
Therefore, a 1 carat diamond will cost more than twice a 1/2 carat diamond, assuming other characteristics are similar.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to a diamond’s carat weight is that it is not the only factor that determines a diamond’s value.
The diagram to the right shows the size of various carat weights of a diamond in relation to each other.
CLARITY : Refers to the presence of inclusions in a diamond.
Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, that appear while diamonds are being formed.
They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers. Inclusions are usually viewed at 10x magnification.
The position of inclusions can greatly affect the value of a diamond.
Some inclusions can be hidden by a mounting, thus having little effect on the beauty of a diamond.
An inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond could impact the dispersion of light, making the diamond less brilliant.
Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection known as the clarity scale.
The scale ranges from F (Flawless) to I (Included) and is based on the visibility of inclusions at 10X magnification.
COLOR : Refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless.
The farther from colorless that a diamond's grade is, the less rare and therefore less valuable it is.
Diamonds are graded on a color scale established by the
Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which ranges from D (Colorless) to Z.
Icy winter whites (D-I) look stunning in white gold or platinum.
Warmer colored diamonds (J-Z) are more desirable when set in yellow gold.
Color differences can be very subtle and grading is done under controlled lighting and compared against a ‘master’ for accuracy.
This color chart is representative of the color grades of a diamond.
| D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
X |
Y |
Z |
| Colorless |
Near
Colorless |
Faint
Yellow |
Very Light
Yellow |
Light
Yellow |
Yellow |
CUT : Refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond.
The cut of a diamond refers to the exact proportions, quality of polish and the arrangement of a diamond's facets.
While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight and color, the hand of a master
craftsman is necessary to release the diamonds’ fire and sparkle.
A diamond has facets that allow light to enter it, become refracted, and exit in a rainbow of colors.
As illustrated below, when a diamond is cut to ideal proportions, is carefully polished and has exact symmetry,
light will then reflect from one facet to another and disperse through the top of
the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire.
Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow, lose or leak light through the side or bottom,
resulting in less brilliance, fire, scintillation and value.
The cut can affect the value of a diamond by up to 35%!
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Ideal Cut Diamonds: The leading gemological laboratory that assigns a cut grade to round diamonds is the
American Gem Society. They use three factors to determine this grade: polish, symmetry, and proportions. The
AGS assigns an "Ideal 0" cut grade to those diamonds that have met the "Ideal" criteria for all three factors.
- Polish : The final finish must be perfectly void of any streaks or marks left over in the cutting process.
- Symmetry : Every facet must be of equal size and perfectly positioned opposite of its counterpart on the
crown and pavilion of the diamond.
- Proportions : Ideal proportions are those strict angles and proportions that will provide the the perfect
balance of brilliance and fire, maximizing the beauty of the diamond.
Why aren't all diamonds cut to AGS "Ideal 0"? The answer is time and money. It takes an experienced cutter years
before he is able to cut to this level of perfection. In many cases, cutters do not want to cut these elite diamonds.
Being paid by the piece, most diamond cutters would rather mass produce inferior cuts for which there is more demand.
It takes a master cutter about twice as long to finish cutting an AGS "Ideal 0" than it does to complete an average
diamond. He will use his magnifying loupe many hundreds of times, and will check his work by computer dozens of times.
The cutter removes much more of the original rough diamond than he would in cutting the average diamond. This weight
loss and the extra time it takes the master cutter to achieve this level of cutting perfection is why AGS "Ideal 0" cut
diamonds command the premium prices they do today.
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