Diamond Education

Because a diamond's entire cost is based on certain characteristics - known as the 4 C's, it is helpful for a person to have an understanding of these. The 4 C's were put down in a universal grading system by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1940's and 50's. They are simple and easy to understand, and do not take very long to learn. As a GIA Graduate Gemologist, and a certified Master Gemologist Appraiser®, Kirk Root can answer any question you have as you're looking for that perfect diamond.

For a quick overview, here are the the basics. CARAT, CUT, COLOR, and CLARITY:

 

CARAT:

A carat is divided into 100 points (just as a dollar is divided into 100 pennies). So a 50 point diamond would weigh 0.50 carats. (Don't confuse carat with karat, as in "18K gold", which refers to gold purity.)

Keep in mind, a diamond's cost and look is not based on carat size. All other factors; cut color and clarity, make a determination in the price. Thus, two diamonds of the exact same carat weight can have totally different prices. With this in mind, it is possible to have a diamond of lower carat weight, but higher cut grade, that appears larger than a diamond with a larger carat weight, but poorer cut.

 

CUT:

A diamond's sparkle, or fire, is affected by its cut. When a diamond is cut in the proper proportion, light is reflected back out through the top of the diamond, giving it its sparkle. The cut is given a grade of one of the following: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor. Without a proper cut, a diamond loses its brilliance, and so its value.

The traditional 58 facets in a round brilliant diamond help to bring the standard light play through a diamond. We at C. Kirk Root Designs, have developed the Century Cut Diamond®, and have been offering its brilliant cut to customers for years. Let us show you how we can double the sparkle in your diamond!

 

COLOR:

It's actually the lack of color that one is preferring in diamonds! The less color, the higher the value. The scale begins with D being the highest or best possible grade and continues to the letter Z, which is the lowest grade. (Fancy colored diamonds - such as pinks and blues - lie outside this color range.)

Diamonds are color-graded by comparing them to stones of known color under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions. Many of these color variations are so subtle they aren't seen to the untrained eye. But these slight differences make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.

 

CLARITY:

Each diamond has it's own unique birthmark - known as an inclusion or blemish, unless you're fortunate to be obtaining one that's considered flawless. A diamond's clarity grade ranges from flawless (FL) to one with obvious inclusions (I3). Most diamonds set in fine jewelry today fall into the very slightly included (VS) or slightly included (SI) range. The size, position, and amount of inclusions under 10X magnification determine the clarity grade a diamond will receive.

(FL) Flawless - No internal or external imperfections - very rare internally
(IF) Internally Flawless - No internal imperfections; very minor external cutting errors
(VVS1, VVS2) Very, Very Slightly Included - Minute inclusions; very difficult to see under 10X
(VS1, VS2) Very Slightly Included - Minor inclusions, invisible to unaided eye
(SI1, SI2) Slightly Included - Noticeable imperfections under 10X; typically eye clean
(I1, I2, I3) Included - Obvious imperfections affect appearance and/or durability

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