When it comes to diamonds, one thing is certain, Jared knows diamonds! Jared Jeweler is one of the most popular jewelry stores in operation today and there is no wondering why. With incredible customer service, high quality gems, and prices that allow everyone the opportunity to own exquisite jewelry, Jared Jeweler has made owning fine diamond jewelry a reality that nearly everyone can enjoy.
If you are interested in purchasing diamonds but don’t know where to start, you are in luck. Jared’s diamond department is staffed with highly trained experts who will assist you in choosing the perfect diamond.
With numerous styles, shapes, and settings to choose from, it is not surprising many people may feel overwhelmed at first, but once they seek the help of one of Jared’s craftsman, they will feel at ease in no time at all.
There are four main categories that you should be aware of when choosing diamonds. These categories describe the shape, quality, and features of the diamond. They are referred to as the Four C’s. The Four C’s include:
• Cut
• Color
• Clarity
• Carat
It is essential to understand the differences between the four C’s due to the fact that you could have two diamonds that essentially look the same, but based upon the qualities of these characteristics they could be valued at different prices. Understanding these characteristics and traits will ensure that you understand and recognize the value of diamonds.
The first C is cut. Many people mistakenly believe that cut and shape are the same thing- they aren’t. Even though you must first cut a diamond to fashion its shape, cut refers to more than creating the shape, but involves the angle at which the cut took place. When a diamond is cut correctly, the diamond in turn will exhibit light both internally and externally and have an exquisite polish.
Color is the second of the Four C’s and it may seem strange at first to consider color when describing diamonds. Though some diamonds may exhibit beautiful and unusual colors, diamonds are typically rated on a color scale from colorless to yellow. Colorless diamonds are valued at higher prices then yellow diamonds. So how can you tell the color of a diamond? Easy- there is a letter based scale that is used to help you determine the color. When you purchase a diamond you will see that it has been given a letter according to the color scale. Here is the color scale:
• Colorless- D,E, F
• Near Colorless- G, Hi, I, J
• Faint Yellow- K, L, M
• Very Light Yellow- N, O, P, Q, R
• Light Yellow- S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
The next C is Clarity. Inclusions can be described as birthmarks that are inherent in diamonds. The quality of a diamond may be determined by the amount of inclusions. The most expensive diamonds are considered to be flawless.
The final C of the Four Cs is Carat. Carat is simply the measurement or weight of the diamond. The higher the weight, the larger the Carat will be.
By understanding the various differences of the Four Cs you can ensure that your next diamond purchase will be a wise one.