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Where Silver Spring Gets Engaged

Jewelry Store In Silver Spring

We are your trusted Jewelry Store in Silver Spring, MD. Shop our Extensive Collection of Engagement Jewelry.

Where Silver Spring Gets Engaged

Jewelry Store In Silver Spring

We are your trusted Jewelry Store in Silver Spring, MD. Shop our Extensive Collection of Engagement Jewelry.

Diamond Education 101

4 C's of Diamonds

Carat
Carat measures the weight of a diamond, with one carat equaling 0.2 grams. Larger diamonds are more expensive, but size alone doesn’t determine appearance. Diamonds with the same weight may look different based on factors like cut. Pricing per carat is a key factor when comparing diamond value.

Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence of flaws, such as inclusions (internal imperfections) and blemishes (surface flaws). Fewer imperfections increase a diamond’s value. GIA certificates include an inclusion plot that maps these imperfections, ensuring the diamond’s authenticity and worth.

Color
Color is judged by the absence of hue, with colorless diamonds being the most valuable. GIA’s color scale ranks diamonds from D (colorless) to Z (yellow or brown tint). Diamonds graded D to F are highly sought after, but diamonds with lower grades can still look colorless to the untrained eye.

Cut
Cut is about how well a diamond reflects light, impacting its brilliance. A well-cut diamond maximizes light reflection, enhancing its sparkle, while poorly cut diamonds lose light, reducing their shine. A diamond’s cut is essential for its overall beauty and appeal.

 

Diamond Anatomy

When shopping for a diamond, its brilliance and sparkle are determined by the quality of its cut, which is the most important of the 4Cs (cut, clarity, color, and carat). A diamond’s cut refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish, which all affect how well it reflects light.

Key factors that influence a diamond’s cut include:

  • Table Size: The flat top part of the diamond, ideally between 52% and 62%.
  • Total Depth: The diamond’s height from top to bottom.
  • Pavilion Depth & Angle: These control how light is reflected and should be well-balanced.
  • Crown Height & Angle: Affect the diamond’s sparkle and light dispersion.
  • Girdle Thickness: The middle edge that separates the diamond’s top and bottom. It should be medium to slightly thick to avoid chipping or excess weight.
  • Culet: The small facet at the diamond’s base; smaller or none is preferred.

A diamond’s cut grade is determined by how these factors work together, with “Excellent” being the top grade. Ultimately, trust your eyes when choosing a diamond, as beauty is subjective.

 

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