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Mieke Vranken Jeweldesign & Goldsmitthing
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The 4 C's of Diamonds :
Intro
When you read about diamonds, the term 'four Cs' is often in the text. What exactly is the meaning of this term and where does it stand for ? In a series of Newsflashes during the next weeks you'll be given the explanation of it. It will al be Clear !The "four Cs" of diamonds stand for : *Cut *Clarity *Colour *Carat weight It are these criteria that jewellers use when they give gradings to diamonds. They are also the criteria that you have to understand when looking for a diamond that will suit you. And then often a "fifth C" pops up : Certificates. Cut Cut is the most important of the four Cs to understand. It is also the most difficult one because the brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on it. Clarity Most diamonds contain some impurities. These are called inclusions and they occur during the natural formation process. The visibility, number and size of these inclusions determine the clarity of a diamond. Clear diamonds are more brilliant, and thus are more highly prized, and priced, since they are so rare. Colour The refraction of light resulting in the sparkling of a diamond is the highest with colourless diamonds. That is why these are the most desirable ones. Slightly coloured diamonds absorb light, inhibiting brilliance. They are called 'off white'. Carat Weight A carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. Together with the previous Cs, it determines the price of a diamond. Because large pure and clear, white diamonds are found less commonly than small ones, the price of a diamond rises exponentially to its size. The Fifth C: Certificates The diamond certificate is a complete evaluation of a diamond that has been performed by a qualified professional with the help of special gemological instruments. Each stone bears its own recognisable, individual characteristics, which is listed on the certificate (or grading report). Antwerp (Belgium) is a major city in processing diamonds of high quality. |
