Natural Shine Beauty

Understanding the Value of Diamonds
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Art_Morse]Art Morse

It's been said that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but they are also an investment that will last a lifetime. Whether set as diamond rings, necklaces, or as a broach, these beautiful gems add beauty and elegance to a piece of jewelry.

Before investing in a diamond, you need to understand a little bit about what to look for in a diamond, and how each of those things affect the price. These factors are referred to as the " 4 C's" of diamonds. They are: carat, color, clarity, and cut.

Carat

A diamonds carat is a measure of the size of a diamond, and it is one of the largest factors that affect the cost. A carat is a measure of the weight of a gem, so depending on the shape of the stone, the diamond with a larger carat may not necessarily look larger.

Another thing to consider is that as the carat of a stone increases, the cost per carat increases as well, so a 2-carat diamond will be more than double the cost of a 1-carat diamond.

Color

The next item that impact the cost of a diamond is color. Diamonds come in a variety of colors. They are graded as "colorless" and "fancy." Diamonds typically have traces of yellow or brown coloring. They are graded according to the extent of color. If there is only a small trace of color, they are classified as colorless. The closer to absolute colorless, the more expensive they are. When they reach a more full color, they are classified as fancy. The more common fancy colors are pink and yellow.

Yellow diamonds are typically more expensive than colorless diamonds. The higher up on the color scale the stone falls, the more expensive the investment is. Untreated yellow diamonds are very rare, and purchasing these tones can be very expensive.

Clarity

A diamonds clarity refers to how clear and free from internal defects the gem is. The more clear it is, the greater the price. Imperfections in a stone can range from small black specks to internal cracks. The diamond is graded on a scale of flawless, which is very rarely given, to imperfect. In all, there are over 10 different grades for the clarity of a diamond.

Cut

The final thing that affects the price of a diamond is the cut. This is the only area of a diamonds quality that humans have any control over. An expert diamond cutter will look at each individual stone and determine how to cut it so that its beauty comes out. Depending on the shape and facets of the cut, two diamonds of equal size and clarity may have completely different looks.

Because this is an area that the buyer has some control over, some buyers prefer to purchase a diamond rough, then have it cut the way that they desire. This is a way to reduce the cost of the purchase, and buying a diamond rough will also make it possible to get multiple smaller stones out of on rough gem.

When purchasing a diamond, make sure that you are dealing with a reputable dealer. There are many things that go into the grade and cost of the stone, and a knowledgeable person can help you make the best deal.

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