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The carat weight measures the mass of a diamond. The point unit—equal to one one-hundredth of a carat (0.01 carat, or 2 mg)—is commonly used for diamonds of less than one carat. The price per carat increases with carat weight, since larger diamonds are both rarer and more desirable for use as gemstones. Total carat weight (t.c.w.) is a phrase used to describe the total mass of diamonds or other gemstone in a piece of jewelry, when more than one gemstone is used. Diamond solitaire earrings, for example, are usually quoted in t.c.w. when placed for sale, indicating the mass of the diamonds in both earrings and not each individual diamond. T.c.w. is also widely used for diamond necklaces, bracelets and other similar jewelry pieces. Diamond prices (particularly among wholesalers and other industry professionals) are often quoted per carat, rather than per stone.
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DIAMOND SIZE GUIDE (ROUND)
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Clarity measures the internal defects of the diamond, which are called inclusions. These can be crystals of a foreign substance or another diamond, or small cracks which can appear to be whitish and cloudy. The clarity (purity) of a diamond has a strong influence on the evaluation of a diamond's worth. The most common flaws or inclusions seen in diamond are fractures and solid foreign crystals within the diamond such as garnet, diopside, or even other diamonds. The size, color, and position of inclusions can reduce the value of a diamond, especially when other gemological characteristics are good.
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Grade |
Description |
| F |
Flawless. The diamond shows no inclusions or blemishes of any sort under 10X magnification when observed by an experienced grader. |
| IF |
Internally Flawless. The diamond has no inclusions when examined by an experienced grader using 10X magnification, but will have some minor blemishes. |
| VVS1, VVS2 |
Very, Very slightly included. The diamond contains very small inclusions that are difficult even for experienced graders to see under 10X magnification. |
| VS1, VS2 |
Very slightly included. The diamond contains small inclusions such as small crystals, clouds or feathers when observed with effort under 10X magnification. |
| SI1, SI2 |
Slightly included. The diamond contains inclusions (clouds, included crystals, knots cavities and feathers) that are noticeable under 10x magnification. |
| SI3 |
Slightly included. The diamond contains inclusions (possible large feathers or large crystrals) are obsious under 10x magnification but not to the visible eye. |
| I1, I2, I3 |
Included. The diamond contains inclusions (possible large feathers or large crystrals) are obsious under 10x magnification. |
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Laser drilling techniques are used on a microscopic scale to selectively target and either remove or significantly reduce the visibility of crystal or iron oxide-stained fracture inclusions. Diamonds have been laser-drilled since at least the mid-1980s. Laser drilling is often followed by glass infilling. Several inclusions can be thus removed from the same diamond, and under microscopic inspection the fine bore holes are readily detectable. The diamond material removed during the drilling process is destroyed, and is often replaced with glass infilling, using the fracture filling techniques. Most inclusions present in gem-quality diamonds do not affect the diamonds' performance or structural integrity. However, large clouds can affect a diamond's ability to transmit and scatter light. Large cracks close to or breaking the surface may increase the likelihood of a fracture.
WE DO NOT INDULGE IN CLARITY ENHANCEMENT AT ALL !!
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Color in a diamond is rated on the alphabetical scale, ranging from D-Z (“D” being colorless and “Z” being bright yellow. However when studded in the jewelry these very light colored diamonds do not show any color or it is not possible to make out color shades. These are graded as E color or F color Diamonds. Diamonds which show very little traces of color are graded as G or H color diamonds. Slightly colored diamonds are graded as I or J or K color. A diamond can be found in any other color also other than colorless. Some of the color diamonds such as pink are very rare diamonds and are priceless.
Most diamonds used as gemstones are basically transparent with little tint, or white diamonds. The most common impurity, nitrogen, replaces a small proportion of carbon atoms in a diamond's structure and causes a yellowish to brownish tint. This effect is present in almost all white diamonds; in only the rarest diamonds is the coloration from this effect undetectable. Diamonds with higher color grades are rarer, in higher demand, and therefore more expensive, than lower color grades. Oddly enough, diamonds graded Z are also rare, and the bright yellow color is also highly valued.
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The color diamonds we cater are not synthetic, however aesthetically pleasing they may be. They are color enhanced diamonds, an extensive process involving various transferences of subatomic particles within the diamond. There are three major methods to artificially alter the color of a diamond: irradiation with high-energy subatomic particles; the application of thin films or coatings; and the combined application of high temperature and high pressure (HTHP). However, there is recent evidence that fracture filling is not only used to improve clarity, but that it can be used for the sole purpose to change the color into a more desirable color as well.
The first two methods can only modify color, usually to turn an off-color Cape series stone into a more desirable fancy-colored stone. Because some irradiation methods produce only a thin "skin" of color, they are applied to diamonds that are already cut and polished. Conversely, HTHP is used to modify and remove color from either rough or cut diamonds—but only certain diamonds are treatable in this manner. Irradiation and HTHP treatments are usually permanent insofar as they will not be reversed under normal conditions of jewelry use, whereas thin films are impermanent. Nowadays diamond is safely irradiated in four ways: proton and deuteron bombardment via cyclotrons; gamma ray bombardment via exposure to cobalt-60; neutron bombardment via the piles of nuclear reactors; and electron bombardment via Van de Graaff generators. These high-energy particles physically alter the diamond's crystal lattice, knocking carbon atoms out of place and producing color centers. Irradiated diamonds are all some shade of green, black, or blue after treatment, but most are strengthened to further modify their color into bright shades of yellow, orange, brown, or pink. The strengthening process increases the mobility of individual carbon atoms, allowing some of the lattice defects created during irradiation to be corrected. The final color is dependent on the diamond's composition and the temperature and length of strengthening.
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The expression “a diamond n the rough,” is used to describe the diamond before the expert cuts and polishes the diamond. It is an art and science to achieve such precision angular cuts. The cut of a diamond describes the manner in which a diamond has been shaped and polished from its beginning form as a rough stone to its final gem proportions. The cut of a diamond describes the quality of workmanship and the angles to which a diamond is cut. Often diamond cut is confused with "shape". There are mathematical guidelines for the angles and length ratios at which the diamond is supposed to be cut in order to reflect the maximum amount of light. Round brilliant diamonds, the most common, are guided by these specific guidelines, though fancy cut stones are not able to be as accurately guided by mathematical specific.
Diamonds which are not cut into a round brilliant shape are known as "fancy cuts." Popular fancy cuts include the baguette (from the French, meaning rod or loaf of bread), marquise, princess cut (square outline), heart, briolette (a form of the rose cut), and pear cuts. Newer cuts that have been introduced into the jewelry industry are the "cushion radiant" (similar to princess cuts, but with rounded edges instead of square edges) and Asscher cuts.
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AAA - Quality Black Diamonds, they are of solid black color and have minor or no face up inclusions on the table of the stone. There are no cavities, feathers and / or clouds on the table of the diamond. These diamonds are Jet Black in color. Surface is very clean, however, rarely you will find very slight inclusion on surface facets. The diamond is nicely and proportionally cut. All black diamonds are graded for table and crown of the diamond and not for the pavilion, girdle or culet of black diamonds. This grade of Black Diamonds are considered amongst the best Black Diamonds in the world.
AA - Quality Black Diamonds have minor white spots visible or other minor flaws. These may include a cavity on the crown of the stone, but not on the table of the stone. These stones are black in color – fairly clean surface some stones with slight surface inclusion. Nicely and proportionally cut. This grade of Black Diamonds are considered of Very High Quality.
A - Quality Black Diamonds may have cavities, feathers, and / or clouds on the table or crown of the stone. These stones are black in color. Internal or surface inclusion visible. Nicely cut. All black diamonds are graded for table and crown of the diamond. We do not grade the pavilion, girdle, or culet of black diamonds. This grade of Black Diamonds is a medium high quality.
B - Quality Black Diamonds have heavy cavities, feathers, and / or clouds on the table and the crown of the stone. These stones are black to pale black in color. Internal and external surface Inclusions are visible. Cut is not perfect round. This grade of Black Diamonds is considered of medium low quality.
C - Quality Black Diamonds have heavy cavities, feathers, clouds on the table and crown of the stone. These Diamonds are black to pale black in color. Internal and external surface inclusions are visible. Cut of this diamond is off round. This grade of Black Diamonds is considered of low quality.
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