How Are Diamonds Rated?
Diamonds are among the most popular gemstones in the world. Formed from carbon that has been heated and pressurized in the earth, only a diamond can scratch or measure the hardness of another diamond. Diamonds are also synthetically made in laboratories. Diamond jewelry is rated based on four characteristics; cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Does this Spark an idea?
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Cut
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The cut of a diamond can refer to its shape, with the standard being round, but also available in marquise, pear, oval, and emerald cuts, among others.
Color
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Diamond color is graded on a scale that uses letters from D to Z, with D being the clearest and most valuable, and increasing in yellowness along the scale towards Z.
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Colored Diamonds
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Rare colored diamonds, are not rated on the same scale and are considered valuable for their deep colors, which are formed as a result of additional physical conditions that the stone undergoes.
Clarity
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There are 11 grades on the GIA scale to rate clarity, ranging from flawless to imperfect. The more inclusions and blemishes a diamond has, the more imperfect it becomes.
Carat
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Carat weight measures the size of a diamond, and each fraction of a carat affects a diamond's value. The larger the diamond, the higher the number of carats.
Value
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All characteristics are considered when determining the value of a diamond. Natural diamonds are considered more valuable than synthetically made diamonds.
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