Beginner's Guide to Buying a Diamond

Beginner’s Guide to Buying a Diamond

Buying a diamond can be a nail-biting experience, especially if it’s your first time.  There’s too much at stake to go in blind or to take the trial and error approach. We at Exotic Diamonds recommend taking a moment to get yourself diamond educated.  Take baby steps, start with the basics: the 4Cs of a diamond and their significance.

So, ready for your first lesson?

The 4Cs of a Diamond

It’s safe to say that the 4Cs of a diamond-Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat- are the most important characteristics of a diamond. A diamond certification is often referred to as the 5^th C since it too holds great value in the diamond industry. It’s crucial to note that all diamonds are unique and there are endless combinations of the 4Cs. You just need to find the right combination that works for you.

• Cut

The cut of a diamond is what makes it sparkle. It refers to the proportions and dimensions of its facets. An ideal cut is not too shallow or too deep and causes the maximum reflection of light. Thus, a diamond’s cut is graded over how well its facets interact with light. This in turn determines the diamond’s beauty and price.

• Colour

The 2^nd C actually implies to a diamond’s lack of colour. A colourless diamond is more precious and expensive than a faint colour diamond.  According to the colour scale issued by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) a diamond’s colour is graded between D to Z; where D represents a ‘colourless’ diamond.

• Clarity

Clarity is concerned with characteristic inclusions and blemishes of a diamond. It is the least significant among the 4Cs as these imperfections are mostly microscopic in nature. The Diamond Clarity Scale ranges from FL to I3; where FL represents ‘flawless’ while I3 represents ‘included’ (inclusions visible to naked eye).   

 

• Carat

Unlike common presumptions, Carat refers to the total weight of the diamond, not its size.  A diamond twice the size of another diamond may not be twice the latter’s carat weight. A metric carat is equivalent to 0.007 of an ounce. Moreover, it can also be subdivided in 100 points to ensure accurate measurement to the hundredth decimal place.

• Certification

A diamond certification is an unbiased and accurate grading report of your diamond. It is issued by diamond grading laboratory and contains all crucial details of the diamond for instance the 4Cs, its exact measurements, shape, characteristics, and more.

All diamonds from Exotic Diamonds come with a GIA Diamond Grading Report.

Quality

Exotic Diamonds is one of the leading bridal diamond retailers in San Antonio, Texas. We offer you an exceptional diamond jewellery collection of engagement rings, watches, earrings, chains and more. You name it, we’ve got it! You get to choose the best quality diamonds in a wide range of cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. Besides, all loose diamonds by Exotic Diamonds come with their diamond grading report issued by GIA, the most prestigious and credible diamond grading lab in the industry.