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After determining a price range, the purchaser must
consider the 4Cs: color, cut, clarity, and carat before buying
a diamond. A diamond's size is measured in carat weight. However, bigger isn't
necessarily better. A larger diamond that is cut poorly is not nearly as
beautiful as a smaller diamond, cut by a skilled diamond artisan. Or, it may be
cut well, but have poor color and clarity. To be exceptionally striking, a
diamond must be of high quality in all 4Cs.
The 4Cs should be carefully evaluated before purchasing a
diamond. In the end, if size is more desirable, a larger diamond which is lower
on the color scale may be preferred. If beauty is more important, a smaller,
colorless stone for the same price may be available. Whether large or small,
cut is critical to release a diamond's maximum potential for beauty and
brilliance.
The three most common approaches to selecting diamonds are:
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Maximize size: Choose a diamond from our
Shasta Collection
for the largest size at a minimal acceptable level of quality.
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Maximize quality: Choose the highest quality diamond from our
Glacier Collection,
even if this requires a smaller stone for the budget.
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Balance size & quality: Choose a diamond from our
Yosemite Collection, which balances quality and size for
the budget.
Cut
| The cut refers to the angles and proportions of a
diamond. The cut of a diamond — its roundness, its depth and width, the
uniformity of the facets — determines its beauty. The skill with which a
diamond is cut determines how well it reflects and refracts light. A well-cut
diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and
disperse and reflect the light through the top of the stone. |
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Color
| Color is the natural color visible in a diamond and does
not change over time. Colorless diamonds allow more light to pass through than
a colored diamond, releasing more sparkle and fire. Acting as a prism, a
diamond divides light into a spectrum of colors and reflects this light as
colorful flashes called fire. |
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Clarity
| A diamond's clarity refers to the presence of impurities
on and within the stone. When a rough stone is extracted from carbon deep
beneath the earth, tiny traces of natural elements are almost always trapped
inside. These elements are called flaws or inclusions because they are formed
naturally and are unique to each stone. |
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Carat
| The carat is the unit of weight of a diamond. Carat is
often confused with size even though it is actually a measure of weight. Once
cut, color, and clarity grade have been determined, the carat weight of a
diamond can easily be established to fit within a budget. When diamonds are
mined, large gems are discovered much less frequently than small ones, which
make large diamonds much more valuable.
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Certification
| A diamond certificate or grading report provides an
expert opinion of the quality of the diamond and is created by an independent
gemology lab after careful analysis. Trained gemologists and specialized
equipment measure the weight and dimensions of the diamond and assess quality
characteristics such as cut, color, and clarity. |
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