Value of a diamond and the universal 4c Color. Clarity. cut Carats.

For some of us, diamonds represent a very good investment, and for others, they symbolize commitment to the person we love. And yet, not all diamonds are equally valuable and… sparkling. As you may have already heard, the most important characteristics in choosing a diamond define the "4Cs". Thus, MOOGU has put together a short intro to diamonds for you, designed to help you understand the factors that influence the quality and value of a diamond.

The story variant of diamonds

From a scientific point of view, diamonds can only be produced in the Earth's mantle - that layer between the core and the Earth's crust, about 3000 km thick. These precious gems are formed under conditions of very high temperature and pressure and are then carried to the surface of the Earth's crust by means of volcanic eruptions that occur underground.

Taking into account the environment of origin, you can imagine that diamonds reach the surface in a rough form, their appearance being less spectacular.  The beauty of diamonds, considered by many specialists to be vivid and captivating, is revealed only after many hours of work and care of skilled jewelers.

A diamond, in its initial state, is found in the form of a cubic crystal made up of 8 equilateral triangles - octahedron, with an opaque transparency. Only 30% of the diamonds on Earth can be polished, and only with diamond powder and fullerene.

A diamond is pure carbon. And how it comes to be the most desired gemstone, find out below.

How do you choose the right diamond?

The universal 4Cs are the factors that help classify finished diamonds.

1.COLOR

Diamonds have the ability to refract and reflect light. D color represents the best color grade of a diamond, being absolutely colorless and extremely rare in nature – this makes it the most valuable color.

Diamond colors ranged from D to M are considered white diamonds, and those ranged from N to Z are the yellowest or brownest diamonds. The most commercial diamonds are found in colors graded between G and H, and colors graded between D and F produce rare and higher quality diamonds.

Any diamond with a shade darker than the Z scale falls into the fancy diamond category. A natural fancy diamond is one of the rarest and most expensive colored diamonds.

2.CLERITY

Clarity is more difficult to analyze with the naked eye, as it refers to how clear the diamond is and involves both a few dozen times magnification under a magnifying glass and the expertise of a gemologist. However, you can notice if there are small external or internal inclusions / imperfections in the structure of the stone. It is important to keep them in mind because in some situations, they can indicate the authenticity of the diamond.

· The best clarity of diamonds is FL (Flawless) and IF (Internally Flawless), however, these diamonds are extremely rare.

· If you want very good clarity, you can choose from VVS1 to VS2, the inclusions being visible only under a microscope.

· Clarity grades VS2, SI1 and 2 have small inclusions that cannot be seen with the naked eye, only visible with a 10X magnifier.

· MOOGU does not recommend diamonds with clarity grade I1,I2,I3, as they present obvious imperfections, which can affect the transparency and brilliance of a diamond.

3.CUT - CUT

The way a diamond is cut and polished determines its size, finish and mesmerizing brilliance. But to differentiate diamonds, you don't have to remember all the available cuts, but simply let yourself be captivated by the emotion that your favorite diamond gives you.

When a diamond is cut in correct and ideal proportions, the light penetrates it and reflects that specific brilliance, that "fire" of the diamond.

MOOGU recommends that the cut, symmetry and polish of the diamonds be VG "very good" or EX "excellent degree of symmetry". The most modern cut is the diamond-round shape, which has 57 or 58 facets.

4. WEIGHT IN CARATS

The carat is nothing more than the measurement standard for the mass of precious stones, indicating the main criterion that influences the price of a diamond. For small diamonds, measurement in points or hundredths is also frequently used. Depending on the cut, the diamond carat is closely related to the visible diameter.

Diamond certification

A certificate is an evaluation report of the precious stone, drawn up by a team of gemologists, in a laboratory equipped with special equipment, in the diamond industry.

A certificate proves that a diamond is genuine and establishes its technical characteristics - size, clarity, color, finish, symmetry - as well as the quality of the gemstone.

A gemstone certified by an independent gemological laboratory has a higher value.

Diamonds with a carat of more than 0.4 ct should be accompanied by a certificate made by various accredited laboratories in the field.

Most diamonds are laser-engraved on the face with a unique number or series, so you can find out the diamond's characteristics with a simple google search. This series cannot be seen with the naked eye and can only be viewed with a 10X loupe.

Each accredited institute or laboratory has different standards for analyzing stones. The most prestigious and respected laboratory in the diamond industry is the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) because it has very high and strict standards. Another prestigious institute is the Antwerp HRD Institute (Hoge Raad voor Diamant), which is based in Europe.

Old laboratories to maintain:

·IGI (International Gemological Institute)

·EGL European Gemological Laboratory

MOOGU jewelry contains diamonds brought from Antwerp with GIA or HRD certificates. MOOGU is also accredited to certify, grade and appraise gemstones and diamonds.