Buy a Diamond only with a certificate from a reputable lab.

What is a certificate (cert) ?
    Click on picture to see GIA Certificate              Click on picture to see AGS Certificate 

It is a statement issued by a gem laboratory. It tells you every minute detail about the diamond not visible to the naked eye.  GIA and AGS are the most popular laboratories in the world.       

Educated expertise and the use of specific tools makes their evaluation honest and 100% reliable assuring the clients of the best value. Details of diamond characteristics are classified with 4C’s cut, carat, color, and clarity. 

The 4 C`s

Carat – Color – Clarity - Cut

Carat Weight

Carat- weight of diamond is measured in carats.

Dimensions of the diamond should not be confused with carat weight. Why is it unrelated because a stone could have varying depths therefore some could appear bigger depending on the cut. 

The size of a diamond has the biggest impact on its price. The metric carat, which equals 0.20 gram, is the standard unit of weight for diamonds and most other gems. If other factors are equal, the more a stone weighs, the more valuable it will be.

Here are several ways to express 1 carat:

1 ct.
200 milligrams
1/5 gram
100 points
4 grainer (not often used in retail environment)

The following is the GIA Diamond clarity-scale:

FL-Flawless IF-Internally Flawless

These stones have no inclusions under a loupe with a 10 power magnification.

VVS¹,VVS²-Very Very Slightly Imperfect

These stones have very small inclusions, which are very  difficult to see under a loupe with a 10 power magnification.

VS¹,VS²-Very Slightly Imperfect

These stones have small inclusions, which are slightly difficult to difficult to see under a loupe with a 10 power magnification.

SI¹,SI²-Slightly Imperfect

These stones have inclusions that are fairly easy to see under a loupe with a 10 power magnification, SI2 is sometimes visible to the naked eye.

I¹,I²,I³-Imperfect

These stones have inclusions, which range from eye visible to very easily seen to the naked eye.

Cut
Cut also referred to as “make” It is the only part of the diamond made by human hands. The cutter not only forms the shape but cut refers to the proportions. It’s forming symmetry of which the facets determine the sparkle of the diamond. The better the proportions of the facets the more brilliance will be reflected to the viewer’s eye.   A poorly proportioned cut or “off make” will never have the full brilliance and sparkle. 

Color
Colors range from very white to shades of many different colors D being the highest color.  View charts give a better idea in the  area of color.

When buying your diamond you’re the one who has to decide which factor is most important to you.  You must determine (within your budget) what suits you best. You must consider color and clarity as well as cut or whether it’s size that is your main interest.  When you compare stones make sure you consider every aspect of the 4C’s.