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A good understanding of diamonds is necessary before you begin shoppping. We've
put the basics together here to help guide you. Learning about diamonds is
really learning about the "four Cs" of diamonds - cut, clarity, color and carat
weight. These are the criteria jewelers use when grading diamonds, and they're
the ones you'll need to understand to find the right diamond for you.
Cut
Cut is probably the most important, and most challenging, of the four Cs to
understand. The brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on its cut. toggold
carries only the better grades of diamond cut, to ensure that your jewelry is as
beautiful as possible. This guide will show you how to select a diamond with the
best cut that your budget allows.
Clarity
Most diamonds contain some inner flaws, or inclusions, that occur during the
formation process. The visibility, number and size of these inclusions determine
what is called the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more
brilliance, and thus are more highly prized, and priced. This guide shows you
how to find the best grade of clarity for you.
Color
Colorless diamonds are the most desirable since they allow the most refraction
of light (sparkle). Off white diamonds absorb light, inhibiting brilliance. To
ensure that your toggold jewelry is of the highest quality, we've preselected
our diamonds to eliminate those of lesser color grades. Read on to understand
how color affects a diamond and how to choose the best grade for your budget.
Carat Weight
A carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. Because large
diamonds are found less commonly than small diamonds, the price of a diamond
rises exponentionaly to its size. Read this guide to get a better understanding
of what a carat is and how it affects the appearance of a diamond.
Certificates
The diamond certificate, which is sometimes called a grading report, is a
complete evaluation of your diamond that has been performed by a qualified
professional with the help of special gemological instruments. Each stone bears
its own recognizable, individual characteristics, which is listed on the
certificate. This guide will help you understand why a certificate is so
imporant when buying a diamond.
By Ettagale Blauer
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