The four Cs of diamonds.
A diamond’s value is based on four criteria.
1. Color often is graded on a scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). On the GIA scales, color is rated from D to Z, with D at the top. The more color a diamond has, the lower its value.
2. Cut refers to the quality of how the diamond has been shaped, taking into account the diamond’s proportions, polish, and symmetry.
3. Clarity measures the natural imperfections in the stone. On the GIA scales, clarity is rated from flawless to I3. A diamond can be described as “flawless” only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.
Some diamonds may be treated to improve their appearance. Some jewelers call the treatments “clarity enhancements.” The treatments include fracture filling and lasering, when a laser is used to remove black inclusions or spots from a diamond. A laser-drilled stone usually doesn’t require special care, but it may not be as valuable as an untreated stone. Jewelers should tell you if a stone was laser-treated.
4. Carat refers to the stone’s weight. The weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat.
- If weight is described in decimal parts, the number should be accurate when rounded to the last decimal place. For example, “.30 carat” could represent a diamond that weighs between .295 and .304 carat.
- If weight is described in fractions, a diamond described as 1/2 carat could weigh between .47 and .54 carat. If a seller gives a diamond’s weight in fractions, they should tell you the weight is not exact, and tell you the reasonable weight range for the diamond. For example, “The weight range for this diamond is .47-.54 carats.”
Make sure your sales paperwork includes any information the seller told you when you made the purchase, like the gemstone’s weight or size, treatments, and special care requirements. Some jewelers may give you a grading report from a gemological laboratory.
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