Diamond hunting can be quite traumatic for the uninitiated. It is a big purchase and often one that has high emotional content. Simply knowing the facts before you start can ease the pressure. It also helps for the vendors to know you have some idea of what you are looking at.
There are a few things to know. Lets start with some diamond shapes to consider when you are doing your shopping: oval, pear-shaped, round, emerald, heart-shaped and marquise. Thew most important thing, however, is the quality and to determine quality you need to understand the 4 C's, which are as follows:
Carat weight: The weight or size of a diamond is measured in carats. A single carat is made up of one hundred segments called "points." One hundred and fifty points equals one and one half carats.
Clarity: This expresses how perfect the diamond is by identifying the flaws or inclusions. Where the inclusions are, how big they are, and their type determines the value of the stone. Inclusions are shown as follows:
FL = Flawless, IF = Internally Flawless - minor surface blemishes,
VVS1-VVS2 = Very, Very Small inclusions,
VS1-VS2 = Very Small Inclusions,
SI1-SI2 = Small Inclusions,
I1-I2-I3 = Imperfect - inclusions visible to the eye.
Slight inclusions; do not reduce the beauty of the stone although they do reduce the value.
Color: Colorless diamonds are extremely rare in nature. Color definitely helps determine the value of a stone. An unpractised eye does not easily see different gradations from high white to the start of the yellows. Bright-colored diamonds are a bit different. Some examples are blue, amber, red, etc. Bright colored diamonds in larger sizes can command very high prices indeed. Collectors worldwide are eager to acquire them.
Cut: Precise formulae are to determine the appropriate cut for a diamond. A typical diamonds is cut with 58 facets. The stone's light-reflecting properties and its light dispersion are critical measurements in determining the stones quality and value.
These are just some of the things to look out for. Every diamond also has a identifying serial number which can be seen under a microscope and it never hurts to have a look for yourself. In the end the purchase of a diamond is a very personal thing so remember to pick one you actually like.
Ron Hughes is CEO of Adapt Information Technology, one of the longest standing Internet businesses in the world. He is also a public and seminar speaker and frequent contributor of articles on business subjects. Ron welcomes your comments on ron@wowgroups.com.
Visit ron@wowgroups.com for information on how to have your own secure, personal office on the Internet. Also, please visit ron@wowgroups.com for everything you need to know about Diamond Hunting.
Dekalb transportation to O'Hare .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe wedding date and time has been set, the location... Read More
Have you heard enough about the "Runaway Bride" yet? Well,... Read More
Celebrating under the attentive care of Bahamas honeymoon resorts, there... Read More
Have you ever heard the expression, "The Urge to Merge"?It... Read More
Are you a Bride-to-Be? Wonderful! Congratulations! But what's that enormous... Read More
Hiring music entertainment can arguably be the most important booking... Read More
Reading this article does not necessarily mean that if you... Read More
The typical wedding reception entertainment scheme of pretty flowers and... Read More
Preparing for a wedding, large or small, is overwhelming! A... Read More
Your groomsmen will be donating their time to your big... Read More
You may not think of Las Vegas as an area... Read More
Wedding rings are a symbol of union. A union between... Read More
Selecting a wedding gown is possibly one of the most... Read More
Ritual symbolism abounds in everything we do; this is particularly... Read More
Cruising down the river was always deemed by couples the... Read More
Healthy marriages require time, attention, energy, and vigilance. It's not... Read More
'Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.' This is... Read More
All brides want that one photograph that perfectly captures the... Read More
In the next six months, my... Read More
If your husband is faithful, you have much to be... Read More
Apparently for a person to get married is like burning... Read More
Once you've mortgaged the rest of your life for the... Read More
As mens wedding rings become more and more popular mens... Read More
Movies, sitcoms and soapies made in the United States could... Read More
Almost there! This is the third lesson of my "Invitation... Read More
Bardolph rental limo ..The sole purpose of save-the-date cards is to give the... Read More
One of the most joyous occasions in life is a... Read More
I've been noticing a few things lately that a few... Read More
Wedding favors have evolved over time. Wedding favors today combine... Read More
When it comes to consideration for the right wedding favor,... Read More
One of the top priorities on a wedding day is... Read More
Let's face it retirement is a time of great transition... Read More
Monograms are a huge trend in weddings, to the point... Read More
With so much to do, every bride needs a surefire... Read More
If you are considering a beach wedding, the ideas are... Read More
Wedding receptions are expensive affairs and can set you back... Read More
Once upon a time a caveman, while out for a... Read More
When you come to choose a wedding gift it's no... Read More
Candles, rose petals, satin, succulent foods, perfume-you're probably already familiar... Read More
There's no one simple answer to the question that I'm... Read More
Sometimes a wedding arch is a no-brainer way to spruce... Read More
I saw real love while working at a cozy, candle-lit... Read More
Ever since Queen Victoria wed in 1840, however, white has... Read More
A bridal shower is an excellent way for the bride... Read More
The wedding gown is most important choice for a bride... Read More
If you have met the person or the couple several... Read More
You have begun to plan your wedding and you want... Read More
Often when you are looking for wedding vendors who suit... Read More
Perhaps the single most important thing that must be accomplished... Read More
The key to being a gracious bride is to be... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |