The 4C's of Diamond Buying

 

CARAT WEIGHT:
The carat weight is the size of a diamond, with one carat equal to 100 points. Although carat weight is one of the most important factors affecting the price of a diamond, it is not the only factor. We can show you two or more diamonds of the same weight that are priced differently and we can explain how color, clarity, proportion, and shape can affect the stones value. (Click here to view the different carat weights)

CLARITY:
Even the whitest most brilliant diamonds may have characteristics called inclusions. Clarity characteristics can be inside a diamond or on the surface, the fewer the inclusion, the more valuable the diamond. There are many types of inclusion that can affect diamond quality and value. Although diamonds can be viewed under higher magnification with special microscopes, which we have on site, the clarity grade is determined only at the 10x power level, determined by a loupe. Many of our GIA certified diamonds come with a newer type of technology called a laser inscription where the GIA certificate number is etched on the girdle of the diamond, only visible with a 20x power loupe or more. (Click here to view the difference in clarity)

The GIA Clarity Scale includes eleven clarity grades ranging from Flawless to I3. Because diamonds form under conditions of tremendous heat and pressure, internal inclusions and external blemishes are common and help gemologists identify individual stones. The Clarity Scale also helps separate natural diamonds from synthetics. Generally, we do not carry any diamonds below an SI2 clarity.

COLOR:
Although diamonds can be yellow, pink, green, blue, or even black, the finest diamonds are nearly or totally colorless! At Goldstock, we can show you a variety of color grades determined by GIA certification or by our on-site GIA graduate gemologist. (Click here to view the difference in color)

The GIA Color Scale extends from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Although many people think of diamonds as colorless, most diamonds used in jewelry have subtle tints of yellow or brown. Each letter grade represents a range of color and is a measure of the degree of color within the diamond, all measured by comparing the diamond to a set of master stones.

CUT:
A polished diamond's beauty lies in its complex relationship with light which, in turn affect its beauty and desirability. Brightness is the combination of all white light reflecting from both the surface and interior of a diamond. Fire describes the colored flashes that can be seen in a diamond. Scintillation is the sparkle of light you see and the overall pattern of bright and dark areas when you look at a diamond face-up. Diamonds with find proportions, symmetry, and polish optimize their interaction with light, and have an increased brightness, fire, and scintillation. The design and craftsmanship of a diamond also affect its cut quality, and these factors are considered in determining a diamond's GIA Excellent-to-Poor Cut Grade. At Goldstock, we only offer Excellent and Very Good cut diamonds.

(Click here to view the criteria used to determine cut)