Diamond is a priceless gemstone that naturally forms over hundreds of years. Each diamond's worth varies from one to the next. What are the factors that decide the value of diamond ornaments? The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) implemented a grading system for Diamond ornaments, which decides the value of diamonds. Certification is needed for every diamond ornament, to give more credible value to your Diamonds.
GIA developed an International Diamond Grading System in the 1950s, a common language for Diamonds. In which introduce the 4C system.4Cs are color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, respectively describe the characteristics of the diamonds. Every Diamond ornaments have a grading system provided at the time of purchase as a certification of products. This certification will decide the value of the polished Diamond.
The 4Cs describe the characteristics and quality of Diamonds, they are;
Colour
Commonly think that Diamonds have only the transparent or colorless touch. That was a myth. Natural diamond has five color variations. The color variation defines the value. Colorless diamonds have high value because of their rarity. Diamond color varies from colorless, near colorless, faint, very light, and light. According to that, the value decreases. In the manner of this classification, they labeled diamonds as below.
Colorless - D, E, F
Near Colorless - G, H, I, J
Faint - K, L, M
Very light - N, O, P, Q, R
Light - S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Clarity
It stands for describing the characteristics and features of inclusions and blemishes on a Diamond. Internal damages or irregularities of a diamond are known as inclusions and external surface irregularities are known as blemishes. Natural Diamonds are formed as a result of thousands of years of carbon deposition under high pressure and heat on the earth's crust. Therefore during formation time, the chance of adding impurities to rough diamonds is high. At the time of polishing, most of the clarity issues will make up. Evaluating the clarity of a Diamond includes determining the size, number, nature, and position of the irregularities and checking if the irregularities affect the quality of the stone. Minute clarity issues can’t recognize by the naked eye but jewellery experts can detect them with their equipment. As per the GIA Grading System, the clarity scale is categorized into six.
Flawless - FL
Internally Flawless - IF
Very very slightly included - VVS1, VVS2
Very slightly included - VS1, VS2
Slightly Included - SI1, SI2
Included - I1, I2, I3
1. Flawless
Flawless Diamonds are pure diamonds without any inclusions and blemishes on them also these are very rare and very, very costly one among this.
2. Internally Flawless
These Diamonds are also in the category of pure diamonds, which have very rare internal irregularities on it. It is also a very rare and expensive one.
3.Very very Slightly included
This includes two variations such as very very slightly included level 1 and very very slightly included level 2 denoted in grading system VVS1, VVS2 respectively. Irregularities on diamonds can’t see through the naked eye just feel as flawless or internally flawless. minute irregularities can be seen through a microscope according to that categorized into levels 1 and level 2
4. Very Slightly Included
According to this category, It is nearly impossible to detect diamond flaws with the naked eye because diamonds have very small flaws. Crystals and black carbon spots are among these imperfections. It has two categories named VS1, and VS2.
5. Slightly Included
These are similar to VS1 &VS2 features, the difference in number, position, and shape of the irregularities. It is categorized into two known as SI1, and SI2. The irregularities can be viewed with the naked eye.
6. Included
It has more visible irregularities that can be considered damaged. It is the cheapest and has a lower grading value. categorized into three named I1, 12, I3.
Cut
A polished diamond is stunning if jewellery experts cut it brilliantly. Diamond brightness depends on how the light reflects in it. Diamond is one of the precious gemstones with extreme brilliance existence depends on how brilliantly cut and finish it. Brilliant round cut diamonds are commonly used diamond shapes in addition to the oval, pear, heart, and marquise are other fancy diamond shapes are familiar. As per the GIA grading system, Cut Quality is categorized into Excellent, Very good, Good, fair, and poor. Categorization is done according to some factors, they are;
1. Brightness - A diamond's total light reflection
2. Fire - Light disperses into colors of the spectrum
3. Scintillation - when a diamond moves, it creates a pattern of light and dark areas or sparkles
These are the main three features of defining the cut quality of diamond other than weight ratio, and durability, polish, and symmetry are the factors which are related to diamond design and craftsmanship.
Carat weight
Diamond weight is measured in carats. One carat is equal to 200mg in weight, Carat weight higher than one carat is rare and expensive. when the carat weight increases, the value increases, but also carat weight and value of the diamond are not directly proportional. The value is decided by considering other factors, such as color, cut, and clarity. If two diamonds have the same carat weight, they may not be the same in appearance. One carat is considered 100 points, so the diamond weight is also denoted in points sometimes.
All Diamond ornaments such as rings, bangles, earrings, necklaces, and even simple nose pins must need certifications otherwise it is not valid. That can be considered as worthless at the time of exchange or buyback of your product. Each Diamond product must have been certified by any authorized certification laboratories such as GIA, IGI, AGS, HRD, EGL, etc. All of these are certified according to 4Cs. So Always try to buy diamond ornaments from authorized brands and ensure the diamond certification of your product
