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The Four C's of Diamonds The 4 C's of Gemstones

Diamond vs. Moissanite and the 4 C's Moissanite, how does it compare to the 4 C's

Why does gold discolor or irritate your fingers?

The Four C's of Diamonds

Fine diamonds are among the most coveted of all gems. Their value, however, differs widely from one diamond to another. Experts evaluate every diamond for rarity and beauty, using four primary guidelines. These are called The Four C's -- Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight.

Cut: When you think of the cut, you probably think of the shape of the diamond. You are partially correct. While cut does refer to shape, it also refers to the proportions of how the diamond is actually cut.

Diamonds are cut into many different shapes, reflecting not only popular taste but the proportions and quality of the rough diamond. The most popular shapes include Round, Oval, Square, Princess, Emerald, Baguette, and Marquise cuts. Many specialty shapes are also available.

A diamond's overall proportions, as well as the size and placement of its many reflective surfaces or facets, also play a large part in "cut." The consistency and balance of these can greatly affect how the stone captures light and reflects it back to the eye.

Color: With the exception of some fancy colored diamonds, the most valuable diamonds are those with the least color. The color scale for transparent diamonds runs from D-F (colorless), G-J (near colorless), K-L (faint yellow), to Z (light yellow). Completely colorless diamonds are rare.

When diamonds are formed with traces of other minerals, rare and beautiful colors can result. These "fancy" colors range from blue to brilliant yellow to red, brown, pale green, pink, and violet. Because of their rarity, colored diamonds are highly desirable and may be quite valuable.

Clarity: A diamond's clarity is measured by the existence, or absence, of visible flaws. Tiny surface blemishes or internal inclusions -- even those seen only under magnification with a jeweler's loupe -- can alter the brilliance of the diamond and, thus, effect its value. Clarity levels begin with Flawless (F & IF) and move down to Very Very Slight (VVS1 & 2), Very Slight (VS1 & 2), Slightly Included (SL1 & 2), and Included (I1, 2 & 3).

FL, IF Diamonds	Flawless: No internal or external flaws Internally Flawless: No internal flaws
VVS1, VVS2 Diamonds	Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see inclusions with 10x magnification
VS1, VS2 Diamonds	Very Slightly Included: Inclusions are not typically visible to the unaided eye
SI1, SI2 Diamonds	Slightly Included: Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification and may be visible with the unaided eye
I1, I2, I3 Diamonds	Included: Inclusions are visible with the unaided eye

Carat Weight: The size of a diamond is measured, not by its dimensions, but by weight. One carat, the traditional unit of measure for diamonds, is equal to approximately 0.2 grams. You may also hear the weight of a diamond referred to in points. A point is equal to 1/100 of a carat; therefore, a 75-point diamonds equals 0.75 carat. Diamonds of equal weight may appear slightly different in size, depending on their depth and proportions. Because they are quite rare, larger diamonds of gem quality are much more valuable.

Rarity & Beauty: All gem-quality diamonds are rare, taking billions of years for nature to form them. The journey from the mine to you is long and arduous. While the four C's information helps you to identify the quality of the diamond you are purchasing, it is the combination of these four characteristics which determine a diamond's rarity. If you imagine a four-sided pyramid, with each side being a diamond characteristic -- the more readily available diamonds form the base of the pyramid while the rarest diamonds are at the top. Keep this pyramid in mind when you are selecting your diamond. Your selection of characteristics will determine rarity and value. And remember -- beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A diamond can only be truly perfect if you think it is beautifully perfect for you.

The 4 C's of Gemstones

Where do you begin the journey into the magical world of color? What are the factors that make a gem rare and valuable

Much like a diamond, the various combinations of a stone's cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, along with availability and accessibility, determine rarity. You will find a brief description of those features here. These explanations are based on the system for gemstone evaluation established by the Gemological Institute of America. For more information on GIA, please visit www.gia.org.

Color: Color is typically the most important value-setting factor for gemstones. All gems have a preferred color or a relatively small range of preferred colors. The more the color varies from this range -- lighter or darker, more vivid or less -- the less valuable the stone.

Color is composed of three dimensions: hue, tone, and saturation.

Hue refers to the impression of color usually noticed immediately, such as red, yellow or blue.
Tone refers to the degree of lightness or darkness of an object.
Saturation defines the degree of purity of a hue.

Cut: Cut refers to the shape or design of a stone, arrangement of facets, as well as the precision of the stone's proportions and finish. the cutting process reveals the beauty of a gem.

Gemstones are cut into shapes we are familiar with such as oval, emerald, pear, round, and marquise. in addition, they can be carved or fashioned into almost any design imaginable. Proportions involve the balance and appeal of the basic design. Finish refers to the detail of the workmanship. A well-proportioned cut with a fine finish will show a stone's optical properties to its fullest potential. When all other factors are even (color, clarity, and carat weight), a better-cut gem will be more valuable.

Carat Weight: The size of a gemstone is measured, not by its dimensions, but by weight. One carat, the traditional unit of measurement for gemstones, is equal to approximately 0.2 grams. you may also hear the weight of a gemstone referred to in points. A point is equal to 1/100 of a carat; therefore a 75-point gemstone equals 0.75 carat.

Two different gemstones may have the same dimensions but different weights. This is due to the specific gravity or density of the gem mineral. This difference can help gemologists identify a gemstone.

Up to a certain point, the larger a stone is, the more rare it is and the higher the price it will command. For stones that commonly occur in larger sizes, the value may decrease if the gem reaches a size that makes it impractical for jewelry use. Source: Gemological Institute of America

Clarity: A gemstone's clarity grade is directly related to its rarity. Clarity refers to a gemstone's relative freedom from clarity characteristics. Clarity characteristics include inclusions, which lie within the stone, or blemishes, which lie on the surface of a gem. The fewer clarity characteristics, the more rare the gemstone.

Each variety of gemstone has its own clarity standards. For example, Tanzanite is virtually inclusion-free, while Emerald almost always contains clarity characteristics. For this reason, Gemological Institute of America's grading system divides transparent colored gemstones into three clarity types. This allows gems to be more evenly evaluated as it takes into account the individual nature of each gemstone. Each type is further divided into five grading descriptions.

Clarity Types: Type I gems are often virtually free of clarity characteristics. The stones most commonly seen in the market include:

Green Tourmaline
Tanzanite
Topaz - Blue
Zircon - Blue

Type II gems normally contain clarity characteristics. The stones most commonly seen in the market include:

Alexandrite
Garnets
Smoky Quartz
Zircon - Green
Amethyst
Iolite
Sapphire - all colors
Zircon - Orange

Type III gems almost always contain clarity characteristics. These include:

Emerald
Tourmaline - Watermelon

Clarity Grades	Type I: Usually eye-clean with no clarity characteristics visible to the unaided eye.	Type II: Typically shows some eye-visible clarity characteristics that do not detract from the overall beauty of the gem.	Type III: Almost always contain eye-visible clarity characteristics.
Eye Clean	Appears clean to the unaided eye.	Appears clean to the unaided eye.	Appears clean to the unaided eye.
Slightly Included	Minute inclusions difficult to see with the unaided eye.	Minute inclusions somewhat easy to see with the unaided eye.	Noticeable inclusions apparent to the unaided eye.
Moderately Included	Minor inclusions somewhat easy to see with the unaided eye.	Noticeable inclusions apparent to the unaided eye.	Obvious inclusions very apparent to the unaided eye.
Heavily Included	Prominent inclusions that have a negative effect on appearance or durability.
Severely Included	Prominent inclusions that have a severe effect on appearance, durability, or both.

Rarity: The various combinations of color, clarity, cut and carat weight are primary factors in determining the value of a gemstone.

Some other factors that impact rarity are the abundance of a particular gem type and the geographic location where it is mined. Several gemstones are more abundant and are more easily accessible than others. Many other gems are found in remote locations, which makes mining virtually impossible. The economic and political environments of the region where the gemstones are located may also limit the accessibility of some gems.

With all of these considerations, it is truly an amazing and often challenging journey from the mine to the jewelry store. The gem you have chosen is a treasure -- rare, beautiful and valuable; just like you!

Diamond vs. Moissanite and the 4 C's

Where most consumers are familiar with the 4 C's of Diamonds-cut, clarity, color and carat weight, which determine the desirability of a diamond in terms of prices. So how does a Diamond and a Moissanite compare in this areas.

COLOR: Diamonds vary in color from D-E (colorless) to N-Z (noticeable color). Moissanite is comparable to I-J (near colorless). There is very minor variation in the color of Moissanite.

CUT: Diamonds are cut primarily to retain weight, so you see a wide variety of cuts all in the same shape diamond. Moissanite are cut to exact angles and proportions designed specially to maximize the its brilliance. You will not see a poorly cut Moissanite, you will find many poorly cut diamonds that do not properly reflect light.

CLARITY: Diamonds differ very much in clarity from VVS ( very, very slightly included-not visible to the naked eye) to I (included- very obvious and noticeable inclusions to the naked eye). Moissanite is compared to a VS1 (very small inclusions-not visible by the naked eye). there is no variation of clarity in Moissanite, regardless of the chosen cut.

CARAT WEIGHT: Diamonds come in all weights from a small fraction of a carat to many carat and fractions. Moissanite gravity is lower then diamonds, about 13% Since most jewelry is defined by carat weight, Charles & Colvard provide a corresponding millimeter size to diamond equivalent weight.

The final point of comparison is price. Diamond is a natural occurrence, whose prices is affected by a combination of the 4 C's above, where Moissanite is a lab grown gemstone whose price is based on its yearly production. So what does that mean? If you were to purchase a 1 carat diamond with similar color, cut and clarity of a Moissanite, you can expect to pay from $5500 to over $7000. Now the equivalent 6.5mm Moissanite is available at my ebay store for under $350. As a14k Solitaire for less then $500

Well it is an amazing value for such a fiery gem, even when compared to more expensive color gems, like sapphire and emerald, which will soon ware, scratch and look dull. Moissanite rates as a 9.25 in the Moss hardness scale, next to a diamond wich is a 10.

Only about 1% of the women of the world are fortunate enough to sport a 1 carat diamond ring or better. Now all women can aford to enjoy the fiery brilliance of a Moissanite! So ware Moissanite in your rings, pendants and earrings, ware it with confidence and enjoy looking like a star!

Published in eBay reviews and guides: Diamond vs Moissanite and the 4 C's

Moissanite, how does it compare to the 4 C's

Most consumers are familiar with the 4 C's of diamonds-cut, clarity, color and carat weight, which determine the desirability price of a diamond. So how does Moissanite rate in these areas?

Moissanite Cut: Carefully and precisely hand-faceted each Charles & Colvard created Moissanite tm jewel is cut according to exact angles and proportions designed specially for Moissanite to maximize its brilliance and enhance its incredible fire.

Moissanite Color: Charles and Colvard expressly refrain from grading moissanite according to the popular color scale for diamonds. However, moissanite dealers and customers report that the color of moissanite compares mostly to I-J of the diamond color grades.

Moissanite Clarity: The clarity of Moissanite can be compared to a VS1 in the diamond clarity grades. Moissanite is very clean to eye clean, clarity does not vary by shape or cut. Any minor inclusion will no be visible to the eye and will be hard to find even under a 10-power loop.

Moissanite Carat Weight: Moissanite's gravity is slightly lower then diamonds, about 13% less dense. Since most jewelry is identified by carat weight, Charles and Colvard provide a corresponding mm size to a diamond equivalent weight.

Here is a few samples of Round Brilliant Cut Moissanite in popular millimeter Sizes and the Diamond Equivalent Weight

6.0mm - 0.80 ct

6.5mm - 1.00 ct

7.0mm - 1.20 ct

7.5mm - 1.50 ct

8.0mm - 1.90 ct

Published in eBay reviews and guides: Miossanite, how does it compare to the 4'C?

Why does gold discolor or irritate your fingers?

Many will think that faulty manufacturing or uderkarating might be the problem when a ring "turns," blackening, discoloring or irritating the skin and clothing, or the jewelry itself. However, that is not the case. This guide will help you understand the causes and how to prevent it.

The most common reason is metallic abrasion, caused by makeup on skin or clothing. Cosmetics often contain compounds harder than the jewelry itself, which ware or rub off very tiny particles. Very finely divided metal always appears black rather then metallic, so it looks like a jet-black dust. When this dust comes into contact with absorbent surface such as skin or clothing, it sticks, forming a black smudge.

To prevent this you may try switching cosmetics. If this is not possible, then you should remove rings and other jewelry while applying them on, and clean skin areas that were in contact with jewelry with soap and water.

Another cause is corrosion of the metals. Gold itself does not corrode, but its primary alloys of silver or copper will do so-forming very dark chemical compounds-under moist or wet conditions.

When one perspires, fats and fatty acids released can cause corrosion of 14-karat gold, especially when exposed to warmth and air. This problem can be worse in seacoast and semitropical areas, where chloride combined with perspiration to form a corrosive element that discolors skin. Smog fumes gradually attack jewelry and are evident as a tarnish that rubs off in the skin.

A good suggestion is that you remove your jewelry often and use an absorbent powder, free of abrasives, on the skin that comes into contact with your jewelry.

Even the design of jewelry can be an influence. Wide shanks have more surface area to contact abrasives or corrosives. Concave surfaces inside a shank form collection points that trap moisture and contaminants, also causing a type of irritation or dermatitis.

A good practice is to remove all rings before using soaps, cleaning compounds or detergents, and clean your rings frequently. As well as helping solve the problem, you'll be amazed at how much better your rings look!

In addition to this corrective actions, the next recommendation is to switch to 18-karat gold or platinum. The lower alloy content of 18-karat gold-25%, versus almost 42%-significantly reduces the problem, and the use of platinum should eliminate it completely because of the purity of the metal.

Published in eBay reviews and guides: Why does gold discolor or irritate your fingers?

CREDITS:

Stuller.com, MansfieldDesigns.com, ebay.com