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let's talk about diamonds.
CHOOSING YOUR DIAMOND
Know what you have to look for when choosing the right center stone. Some diamonds, depending on the shape, come in varied length, width or elongation and you'd want to get the most ideal measurement of these specific metrics.
CHOOSE THE SHAPE YOU WANT
Start by choosing the shape for your main stone. From there, you can determine the perfect one by evaluating the cut, color, clarity and carat weight, also known as the 4 C's, when presented with different options.
THE 4 C's - HERE'S A QUICK OVERVIEW
It is helpful to know the FOUR C's - Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight - when shopping for your perfect stone.
Once you've chosen the shape of your center stone, here's a quick rundown of what else to consider when choosing the ideal stone for your piece.
CUT
The cut of a diamond determines its brilliance. The better the cut, the more sparkly the diamond will be. This is because a well-cut diamond has the right proportions that allow the right amount of light to return back to the top of the stone (table).
COLOR
Color refers to the intensity, or lack of, in color of the diamond. The whiter the diamonds, the higher the color grade.
Each stone is graded from D to Z (D being the highest, and no A, B and C), depending on the presence of visible color.
CLARITY
Not all diamonds are 100% perfect. Most of them have some internal flaws, some easily spotted by the naked eye while some needing a degree of magnification to be identified.
Each diamond is graded in terms clarity based on the amount of imperfections (also known as inclusions) present in the stone, ranging from 'flawless' to 'obvious inclusions' (those with inclusions visible to the naked eye).
GIA or the Gemological Institute of America is one of the leading authority when it comes to diamonds and gemstones. They conduct research, educate gem professionals and set the standards for determining diamond quality since 1931. So, getting a diamond that is GIA-certified is ideal.
CARAT WEIGHT
Carat is the measure of the diamond's weight, not its physical size. It is measured accurately by a specialized scale.
How a diamond is cut may also affect its carat weight.