There comes a time that a man will have to stamp his authority and tell the world he has finally laid claim to the woman of his dreams. What would be a better way to do that than to buy her a diamond ring? Though he may have noble intentions, his knowledge on the right diamond dimensions alone would hinder this noble quest.
What Are Diamonds?
We can say a diamond is the hardest non-metal on earth. It is made of Crystalline carbon and this process takes place deep in the earth’s surface. Since the pressure is uneven and there are many externalities that will affect the process, diamond dimensions always differ.
How Are Diamonds Made?
Before we divulge into technical details, it is prudent that you understand there are two types of diamonds.
- Natural Diamonds
- Synthetic Diamonds
For a natural diamond to be made, it will have to take around 1 to 3.5 billion years. Carbon buried around 100 miles deep in the earth’s surface is subjected to heat temperatures of around 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the carbon bearing ore is deep in the earth’s surface, it is subject to a pressure of around 725,000 pounds per square inch.
It is this compression that results in the carbon atoms being arranged in a crystal-like structure. This structure is known as a diamond lattice. Over time, more carbon atoms are compressed, and a diamond stone will emerge. Depending on the pressure and heat it is subject to, a diamond will have different diamond dimensions.
Synthetic diamonds are diamonds that are made in a factory. They are two ways this can be achieved. The first is through a process known as high-temperature method {HPHT} and chemical vapor deposition {CVD}. Depending on the manufacturer, it is possible to get diamonds with uniform diamond dimensions.
Is There a Difference Between Synthetic Diamonds and Real Diamonds?
The only major difference between these two types of diamonds is the period it takes to manufacture them. Synthetic diamonds are created in a laboratory setting that mimics the natural requirement needed by real diamonds to form in the earth. While it may take between 1 – 3.5 billion years for real diamonds to form, synthetic diamonds are created within 6- 10 weeks.
Synthetic diamonds have the same chemical composition as real diamonds. Therefore, synthetic diamonds are the same as real diamonds except they are formed in weeks rather than billions of years.
The Industry
For Beginners, the diamond industry might give them the chills. Most investors in this sector will not invest in diamonds as they have little information about them. The industry is dominated by two types of diamonds; synthetic and natural. Do not feel short-changed as synthetic diamonds always have a certificate accompanying it to show it is synthetic.
So how do you make it in the diamond industry? The answer is simple; you need to learn as much as possible about it. Knowing about diamond dimensions is just a tip of the iceberg. You need to know about certifications and where to buy real and genuine diamonds.
Know Your Budget
The first rule of any investment is to know your budget. What is the need of knowing about diamond dimensions if you cannot buy the diamond in question? Your budget will play a key role in choosing the desired clarity, color, and the carat weight.
Know Your Market
If you are buying a diamond for your wife or girlfriend, then she is your market. You do not want to buy a diamond ring only for her to not wear it. If you are not sure about the shape, you can play it safe and only go for the two popular shapes in the market. That is the princess cut diamond and the traditional brilliant round diamond.
Diamond Dimensions, the Cut, Weight, and Price
The golden rule here is always to remember that a smart buyer will not buy a diamond that is not proportional even if the diamond dimensions are impressive. If the pavilion of the diamond is not correctly cut, then the diameter of the crown might be smaller. Diamond cutters do this because they can cash in on the carat weight.
Since a diamonds price is based on the weight of the carat, diamond dimensions do not matter where price is involved. If an ideal 1.00ct diamond is cut, it will appear bigger than a 1.00ct diamond that is not ideally cut. The ideal diamond will have a diameter of 6.5mm while the other will have a diameter of 6.2mm. Diamond dimensions are determined by the cut made.
Always Buy an Ideal Cut Diamond
The reason we insist on ideal cuts is that diamonds cut directly influences its sparkle. Why buy a diamond if it does not sparkle? Poorly-cut diamonds mainly appear dead and dull, and this beats the logic why you need a diamond.
Buy a Diamond That Is Eye Clean
Do not be fooled by diamond dimensions, what you should always go for is a clean diamond. What this means is that you should always look at the level of clarity offered by the diamond. Look out for imperfections within the diamond and on the diamond.
The Color Determines Its Price
The rarer the color, the more expensive it is sold. If a diamond has exemplary diamond dimensions, but the color is common, then it will not be very valuable compared to one with a rare color and of smaller dimensions.
Always Refer to GIA or AGS
We insist on these two bodies because of their quality levels and their consistency in the quality sector. Diamonds that have passed through these two bodies guarantee you value for money and will also protect your investment from unscrupulous dealers.
Online Retailers Will Save You Money
Though you should be careful when buying diamonds online, there are plenty of advantages one can enjoy when buying from verified online dealers. Some benefits include a 30 day back money guarantee and a third party appraisal.
Carats, Clarity, Cuts, and Color
The characteristics of a diamond are defined by the 4 C’s. Each diamond is unique from the other.
Carat Weight
Contrary to popular belief, the carat weight is not directly related to diamond dimensions but to the mass of the diamond. 1 carat is equivalent to 100 points. For example, a diamond that is 0.50 carats is given 50 points.
Where weight is concerned, it is measured to the hundred-thousandths of a carat. It is then rounded to the hundredth of a carat. A diamond is only expressed in decimals and carats if its weight is greater than 1 carat. Carats that are 1 or less are mostly used in fine jewelry.
Clarity
All diamonds formed deep in the earth’s surface have unique blemishes and inclusions. This is however not to say there are those without blemishes. When traders talk about the clarity of a diamond, they are talking about the absence of these blemishes and inclusions. When GIA grades your diamonds for clarity, they will use a grading system that uses the symbol {FL} for flawless diamonds and {I3} for diamonds with obvious inclusions.
To grade, the GIA will consider the diamond dimensions, nature, color, relief and the characteristics visible under a 10× magnification.
The following terms are used in grading;
- Internal Flawless – Detonated as {IF}. It means that the diamond has no inclusions and only a skilled grader using a 10× magnification can see
- Flawless {FL} – No inclusion can be seen by a grader using 10× magnification
- Included – Can be detonated as (I1, I2, and I3) and the inclusions are obvious. This affects brilliance and transparency
- Slightly Included – Detonated as (SI1 and SI2). A skilled grader can notice the inclusions using 10x magnification
- Very, Very Slightly Included – Detonated as (VVS1 and VVS2). Even with a 10× magnification, inclusions are difficult to be detected by a skilled grader
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) – The inclusion can be difficult to see with a 10x magnification or also easy to detect with the same magnification.
Cuts
In diamonds, a cut is important as it fuels a diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. The quality of a diamond cut will determine its beauty. The GIA cut scale ranges from Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.
This grading system is used during an assessment of the following factors;
- Brightness
- Fire
- Scintillation
- Weight-ratio
- Durability
- Symmetry
- Polish
Color
A Diamond is valued based on how colorless it is; unless they are rare diamonds such as pink and red diamonds.
The grading system used is divided into 5 portions;
- Colorless
- Near colorless
- Faint
- Very Light
- Light
The more colorless the diamond, the more expensive it is in the market.
Conclusion
The diamond industry is a fascinating industry. However, caution must always be taken when one is sourcing for diamonds so he/she can get value for money. Never be deceived by diamond dimensions as they will cost you dearly. Also, use reports from organizations such as the GIA to guide your purchases.
