About Diamonds 归档

The GIA Guide to Diamond Color

December 6, 2012

Even the slightest change in diamond color can affect the quality and value of a diamond. Although most diamonds are thought of as colorless (that is, not fancy-colored), most colorless diamonds actually contain hints of brown and yellow. These differences in color are often very subtle – so subtle that an untrained eye can’t tell the difference between a nearly colorless diamond and a colorless one. Yet these minute variations in what color a diamond is can have a significant impact on the purchase price of the stone. (more…)

Diamond Cut: It’s More Than Shape

November 13, 2012

One of the hardest of the 4Cs to understand may be a diamond’s cut. A well-cut diamond displays the unique sparkle we associate with diamond. (more…)

Are Diamonds Really Perfect?

November 6, 2012

It has been said that few things in nature are absolutely perfect. The same holds true of diamonds. Part of what makes a diamond unique is what is commonly referred to as a diamond’s clarity characteristic. (more…)

Engagement Ring Trends: An Overview

October 24, 2012

Some of the most popular engagement ring trends seen on celebrities and the public alike are rings with vintage details, pave diamond accents, and colored gemstones used as center stones. (more…)

Are Diamonds Really Colorless?

October 16, 2012

When browsing for jewelry, one might be captivated by the glimmer of a diamond’s sparkle, and assume that most diamonds are colorless. And while it’s true that certain diamonds have colors so blindingly brilliant that they take on beautiful hues of the rainbow, truly colorless diamonds are actually quite rare. (more…)

Introduction to Diamond Clarity: Understanding a Diamond Clarity Grade

August 14, 2012

Few things in nature are absolutely perfect. This is also true with diamonds. As touched on in the first part of the clarity series, diamonds have internal features called inclusions and surface irregularities called blemishes. Together, inclusions and blemishes make up a diamond’s clarity characteristic. (more…)

Introduction to Diamond Clarity: What are Inclusions and Blemishes

August 7, 2012

Diamond clarity is one of the four quality factors (the 4Cs) that describe and determine the value of a diamond. By definition, clarity means “a gemstone’s relative freedom from inclusions and blemishes.” These two terms are locational- blemishes are found on the outside of the gem and inclusions are located on the inside. Both of these clarity characteristics can dim the brilliance of a diamond, though some are so minute that they are invisible to the naked eye. (more…)

The Diamond Cutter’s Art (Part 1)

May 16, 2012

Most consumers don’t realize the long, complicated, precarious journey a diamond takes from its humble beginning amidst tons of rock in the Earth to its sparkling transformation in a jewelry store counter. An especially critical point in the diamond’s journey is its time with the diamond artisan, who must cut the diamond to maximize its beauty. (more…)

Understanding Diamond Fluorescence

May 9, 2012

Have you ever noticed the term “Fluorescence” on a GIA Diamond Grading Report? Did you know that some, but not all, diamonds show effects under ultraviolet light?

For most people who purchase diamonds, fluorescence will be a non-issue, but some might be confused by the term. Below are commonly asked questions, and helpful answers from GIA researchers who have studied fluorescence in depth. (more…)

Why Start with “D”?

April 5, 2011

When men and women really start looking into diamond grading, a common question is, “Why does the GIA color grade start with a D?” (more…)

What Are Synthetic Diamonds?

February 24, 2011

Synthetic diamonds are grown in a laboratory and have essentially the same chemical composition and crystal structure as natural diamonds formed millions of years ago. In the last 30 years, gem quality synthetic diamonds have been grown in Japan, South Africa, Russia, Ukraine and the United States. Synthetic diamonds are generally produced using either High Pressure/High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). (more…)

Cut: The 4th C

February 17, 2011

When you oooh and ahh over a sparkly diamond, to a large extent you’re reacting to its cut. What you want is light to enter through the crown table (the flat part at the top) and go to the pavilion (the pointy part at the bottom), where it reflects from one side to the other, and then back out of the diamond through the crown table. This ensures maximum sparkle and brilliance. Think spectacular laser show! (more…)

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog