Crack the Clandestine Code of Diamonds

Precious, brilliant and expensive-why wouldn't diamonds be a girl's best friend? When giving the most significant gift of a lifetime, most men, and even the women who receive them, know precious little about diamonds. By the time they're old and experienced enough to know about cut, shape, grade, brilliance, color, weight, and setting, they already have the diamond of a lifetime. Crack the vocabulary, and you'll be on your way to purchasing your first diamond with confidence.

The Four Cs

Diamonds are not created equally! "The Four Cs of Diamonds"- cut, clarity, color, and carat determine diamond grade. A diamond certificate accompanies each diamond and includes grades for each of the four Cs as documented by a gemologist. Learn what these terms mean to avoid that "deer in the headlights" look when the jeweler uses these terms.

Cut refers to the physical cut, not the shape of the diamond, and it affects the brilliance of the diamond. If the cut is too shallow or too deep, the refraction of the light detracts from the brilliance. Grades for cut, from best to worst, include Ideal, Premium, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. The Ideal grade applies exclusively to round diamonds.

Clarity measures the purity of the diamond. Most diamonds include some flaws, called inclusions. All but the rare flawless diamonds contain inclusions of varying number and size. The Clarity grade measures the purity of the diamond, the relative absence of flaws. Clarity grades the appearance under 10X magnification. Top grades include F (flawless-forget it, you'll never see this), IF (internally flawless, you'll never afford it), VVS1-VVS2 (very, very slightly flawed-not we're getting a little more realistic), VS1-VS2 (very slightly flawed), and SI1-SI2 (slightly flawed). All but the VS1-VS2 and SI1-SI2 diamonds contain flaws that are invisible or barely visible under 10X magnification. Lesser grades include I1- -I3 (flawed and obvious without magnification). If price is a consideration, then invisible to the naked eye is a reasonable tradeoff.

Color actually refers to the absence of color in diamonds. The finest diamonds are colorless, which allows them to absorb and reflect more light, displaying more brilliance. White diamonds range from ice white to light yellow. Color is graded on a scale from D-Z, with D-grade diamonds being colorless and Z-grade diamonds containing the most color. Grades G-J are near colorless to the human eye, and offer the best value for the money.

Carat refers to weight. Because large diamonds are extremely rare, the price rises exponentially rather than arithmetically according to carat weight.

Each of the four Cs affects price. Once you set a budget, determine the attributes most important to you and select your diamond according to your preferences.

Learn a few more simple terms, and you're well on your way to demystifying the world of diamonds and carrying on a conversation with your jeweler that will turn the heads of less astute shoppers.

Shape also affects price, but only in terms of "shape appeal," how pleasing the shape is to the naked eye. By far, the most popular shape is the Round diamond, and it's the most expensive as well. Fancy shapes such as Emerald, Marquis, Pear, Heart, Oval, Radiant and Princess, are less expensive than Round diamonds. Side by side, fancy diamonds look larger than Round diamonds of equal carat weight. If you want something out of the ordinary, a fancy shape might be right for you.

Facets refer to the flat, polished surfaces of the diamond. The round diamond checks in at 58 facets, the most facets of all the shapes. The most important facet is the top or Table facet-the largest facet. Diamonds cut to perfection enable the facets to refract the light brilliantly.

Settings should enhance the brilliance and size of the stones, not detract from them. The range of choices is stunning, from the metal to the prong display. Even more than shape, the setting reflects your personal preference and style.

Now that you understand the clandestine vocabulary of diamonds, you can relax and have fun while selecting that one-of-a-kind, perfect diamond for you

M J Plaster is a successful author who provides information on shopping online for jewelry, diamonds, and more. M J Plaster has been a commercial freelance writer for almost two decades, most recently specializing in home and garden, the low-carb lifestyle, investing, and anything that defines la dolce vita.

More Resources

Awaken The Genie Within
Ancient lore tells us that there's a magical genie who lives in a lamp and the person who possesses that lamp has the power to invoke wishes and desires beyond our wildest dreams.If I told you that Genie lives in you, would you believe me? Maybe not.
The Wealth-Receiving Mindset
Here is an exercise for you that will develop what I call the wealth-receiving mindset:I want you to think about the time in your life when you had the most money you have ever had.I don't care if the most money you've ever had was ten bucks, I want you to think about it right now.
The Friend Crush: Is This Love Or Friendship
He's your good friend. She's your best confidant.
Jerry Green's Top Ten Adversity Busters
I've navigated plenty of speed bumps on life's road. My father's death led me to an entirely different career than my planned one.
What Do You Want Out of Life?
What are you willing to give up in order to achieve that?We have all heard the old saying that there are no free lunches, right? Well, that is so true that it could have been one of the Ten Commandments. In order to receive anything we must be willing to give something and the amount that we receive is directly proportionate to that which we are willing to give - be it material things or time.
What Image Are You Projecting?
I want you to think about something for a few moments. Do you have any perception about what sort of image you are projecting? I'm talking about the personal or professional image that you are presenting to the rest of the world.
Charm Is Good Business
What's most astounding is that the vast majority of business people don't automatically understand the concept of charm. You'd think it would be a reflex, a conditioned response in business to "turn on the charm" when dealing with customers, clients, associates, employees, competitors, or potential clients.
Searching for Higher Ground: 24 Hours to a Better Life
There's a moment in one of my favorite films, Searching for Bobby Fischer, where 7-year-old chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin's chess teacher knocks all the pieces off his chess board, in an effort to get him to concentrate deeper on the way the pieces on the board were strategically aligned.As the pieces go flying, scattering noisily about the room, Josh is at first stunned that his teacher would have done such a thing.
Afloat on A Sea of Abundance
In the days of the mighty sailing ships, when brave souls voyaged into the unknown, dependent on the winds and their as-yet incomplete knowledge of geography and navigation, one of the greatest and most dangerous challenges was to traverse the area known as "the doldrums."Extending about 30 degrees on either side of the equator, the doldrums are subject to days, weeks, even months of no wind at all.
Are You The Worlds Expert On Yourself?
Congratulations! You are the world's expert.That's right: you are the world's expert.
Recognize Desire AS Power
I just moved into my new luxurious, harborside condo, overlooking the famous Songees of Victoria, BC, Canada. Three months ago, I didn't know such a beautiful place existed and today I am living in one of the most sought-after locations in North America!The past three months have been filled with experiences of Law of Attraction at work.
Increasing Money by Conquering Personal Fear and Greed
One of the first lessons that "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" teaches is about understanding and controlling fear and greed. Many people go to work and work hard not to learn more and to grow, but out of fear that they won't have enough money to pay their bills.
Law-of-Attraction Article: Wake Up and Create Something
It's time for the "mainstream" to WAKE UP. The alarm clock is ringing, they keep hitting snooze, and in the meantime, the life they could be living is passing them by.
The Journey to a State Called Authentic
Sometimes when I refer to the Authentic Self, I receive confused looks. Can you imagine? Authentic is a word which is commonly used to describe an article or concept as genuine.
The Powerful Mastermind Team
Your Access to AchievementA few years ago I read the book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. I remember being very intrigued by the title and wondered "How could anyone grow rich just by thinking?When I first began to grasp a fragment of what the book was revealing about success, I was reading it again as a result of a business I was working with.
October: A Month of Personal Harvest
October is hands down my favorite month. Every year l look forward to a visit to Lynd's Fruit Farm in Pataskala, Ohio.
Self-Esteem: The Foundation of All You Achieve
At its core, your sense of self-esteem or self-worth has a huge impact on how you live your life.It frames how you feel about yourself, how you relate to others, how much you achieve in your work - and how you feel about pretty much everything.
Heres What I Got Out Of "What The Bleep Do We Know"
Your mind is so powerful that what you focus on happens. Your intent bends reality, creating vibrations in the quantum field.
Antagonists And Fear
It is important to have your own values, beliefs and understanding of the world around you and not let fear take hold of you.The quote, "My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened.
Your Life and Prosperity Are In Your Reputation!
"Your good name and your reputation are EVERYTHING! ? Protect them at all costs!" my father used to say to me when I was a lad.Even at a young age, I knew there was something important in what my dad was trying to tell me.

More Attraction Information:

Related Articles

Change The World
It is becoming clear that the way a country or society is, the kind of "psyche" it has, depends on the way people relate to each other one-to-one, at the day-to-day level of life.At this one-to-one level there are very simple "Rules" of behaving.
Make the Eat and Earn Connection
If you've ever thought about wanting to increase your physical energy and wouldn't mind increasing your financial as well, you have to read this right now!Focus #1 - Name Your Hunger/Want/Desire/Achievement? You know what you want to change better than anyone else. It is that nagging voice in the back of your head that speaks to you every time you go against it (i.
The Magnetic, Attracting Power of the Mind
The power of the mind draws certain events, circumstances and people into our lives and repels others. In this respect, it resembles a magnet.
Heres What I Got Out Of "What The Bleep Do We Know"
Your mind is so powerful that what you focus on happens. Your intent bends reality, creating vibrations in the quantum field.
Give The Wrong Words An Inch And They May Take A Mile!
What do you do when circumstances seem out of control? What's the first thing you look for? Or Whom? What immediately runs through your mind? Do you yell? Do you curse? Do you go bow up your back like a porcupine getting ready for all out war?By Word Of Mouth!There is something that every one of us has been taught to do since we were born and yet so few people know how to control it. We have been taught how to talk, but still don't know how to control our mouth.
When You Attract Negative People, Be Thankful
Laws of Attraction are clearly defined. What comes back is a reflection of the energy you are radiating.
You Think That You're Listening?. But Are You Actually Hearing What Im Saying?
"We have two ears and one mouth, so that we can listen twice as much as we speak" - Epictetus, Greek Stoic Philosopher. (55AD-135AD)In our fast-paced culture conversations have little to do with communication - they are about talking.
Aging Gracefully Through Vastu Shastra
Aging is inevitable, but its most negative effects can be minimized and turned into a graceful progression. Exercise and proper diet are key factors.
Write Goals, Say Prayers, and See Your Successful Future
Would you like to have more success in your life?Yes, I'm sure that you do! That being the case, Ihave an invitation and a challenge for you. Areyou up for it? Okay, here we go?We are all multi-sensory beings, meaning that weall have the sensory connections through seeing,tasting, smelling, speaking, hearing and feeling.
Closing the Feedback Loop
In earlier articles, I've often spoken about the supreme importanceof becoming a good listener. I've even gone as far as to suggestthat listening might be the most important communication skill of them all.
WAKE UP and Create Something
It's time for the "mainstream" to WAKE UP. The alarm clockis ringing, they keep hitting snooze, and in the meantime,the life they could be living is passing them by.
My Other Life is Exciting, is Yours?
Everyone dreams of a more exciting life or a life that is different to the one they are living now.As you dream about your other life, you know the one, where you're slimmer or fatter or the one where you meet your perfect partner and live happily ever after or you have a million dollars or you pass the exam and go to the top of the class, the dreams go on and on and we all have them.
The Friend Crush: Is This Love Or Friendship
He's your good friend. She's your best confidant.
The Secret of Self Care
Wherever you go, there you are. There's no escaping it - your world is a reflection of you and if the view in your mirror doesn't elicit a certain spark perhaps it's time to question the underlying assumptions.
The Universal Laws Of Attraction
You know it's funny how some people just seem to have all the luck in the world. Infact in some cases it almost seems to be unfair.
Antagonists And Fear
It is important to have your own values, beliefs and understanding of the world around you and not let fear take hold of you.The quote, "My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened.
Change Your Story; Change Your Life
When was the last time you told someone the story of your life? We don't come upon these opportunities often, but when we do, it's extremely telling not only about our perspective on life, but also about how the rest of our life will unfold! Who said crystal balls don't exist? Just listen to yourself talk, and you'll know all there is to know.What Our Stories RevealYou've heard and told your share of stories, chatting with moms at the kids' swimming lessons, sitting in the middle seat on a long flight, or in the chair at the beauty salon.
The Three Pillars of Life
We all have the power to change our lives. What differentiates between those who take the action to change and those who just sit on the sidelines are three basic human endowments.
Seven Truths of Universal Law
Truth To Live By:What truths do you live by? Are the truths dependable? Are they consistent? Can you take some action and just know that the results will be as you anticipated. That is what you can count on when you use truth based on Universal Law.
Use Your Vibrations of Energy to Communicate
In the past, I have touched on the connection of quantum physics and communication. One of my passions is to understand the connection that we create on a much higher level.