|
||||||||||||
Diamond grading standards fall into four distinct categories, the "Four C's":
Think of these as sliding scales"Flawless" is the highest grade of gem diamond,
where no internal inclusions or surface imperfections are visible
under ten power magnification. This top "perfect grade"
is also extremely expensive... In 1980 a "D" Flawless one carat
sold for about $60,000, then in a few short months the price dropped to around $15,000.... Although the price for a diamond of this quality(if one can be found) has risen again over 2007 into mid 2008 to around the $27000-28000 range, remember this, if someone tells you that a
fine flawless diamond is "an investment".... You're better off waitin'
on the curb for the Publisher's clearing house van than buying
a fine diamond at retail prices as an investment!
"Internally Flawless" describes stones with no interior imperfection but having minor surface blemishes which are apparent under magnification to the trained eye.
The "Very Very Slightly Included" category (divided into VVS1 and VVS2 categories) rates stones that have tiny inclusions which are difficult to detect even with ten power magnification. These tend to appear "perfect" to all but the most trained professionals, so remember this when you're shopping for just the right stone/value...
"Very Slightly Included" (divided into VS1 and VS2 categories) indicates very slight imperfections which are still difficult to see with ten power magnification. At VS2, this is where the "values" begin! The upper grades are great, but the cost is restrictive for most, and when you can't see the difference except in a gemologist's laboratory my advise is to consider this grade and spend less time with gemologists :) Now, for the step cut diamonds, like the emerald cut, this "VS" grade area is perfection, for in this cut one needs to realize that clarity is a very imporant consideration. The diamonds which are brillanteered, like the round cut and others, breaks the light up into small pinfire, and masks most all imperfections down to the SI1 range, for apparent perfection, in a emerald cut the effect is that of a "clear pool of water", and more a reflective and mirror effect, so imperfections in the emerald cut tend to be more visible below VS2. For a perfect emerald cut this range is for you... A well cut "VS1-VS2" is where perfect comes to visit, and you can find everything you ever dreamed of in this grade in ways of quality and beauty.
You'll find the next lower grade category in the windows of nearly every jewelry store you'll visit. "Slightly Included" diamonds have slight imperfections and inclusions visible under ten power magnification (divided into SI1 and SI2 categories). These represent one of the best values for a nice diamond. The stone will look great, but you don't pay for the additional laboratory-graded clarity which makes no difference in the "appearance and beauty of the stone." Staying with the "1" rating in this grade is a great way to buy a beautiful diamond at a great value and apparent perfection to the naked eye. I have sold many many SI2's that were totally eyeclean, and for that client who wants a big and beautiful diamond this grade really makes sense... Not for the emerald cut, but for the rounds and other brillianteered cuts that mask activity, then you have a great look and a most affordable situation.
The lower grades are the "Imperfect'' grades, with some eye
visible activity within the stone. The "Imperfect" range is divided
into three categories ("I1", "I2", and "I3") with each factor indicating
a stone more visibly included to the naked eye. For the person who
wants that large and very impressive diamond, and is on a budjet,
this grade can be a perfect alternative. In a diamond that is very
well cut the I1 grade can offer much in the way of beauty, and while
one cannot say that this grade will produce a totally eye clean
diamond it can produce the most diamond for the money, and a very
beautiful result if cut well. When shopping for diamonds it always pays to remember
to work with a professional, and to have a return policy that makes
sense. We know that this grade can be the perfect choice for many,
so I have expanded our offerings to include this grade. Here's
a great example! This particular ring has a
3.25 carat center diamond in the I1 grade, and with these huge shots
you can see that the diamond is beautiful, being well cut. I think
that it makes sense to say that this range makes sense to include,
for it can be the pathway to that perfect result for the big diamond
lover on a budget.
"Internally Flawless" describes stones with no interior imperfection but having minor surface blemishes which are apparent under magnification to the trained eye.
The "Very Very Slightly Included" category (divided into VVS1 and VVS2 categories) rates stones that have tiny inclusions which are difficult to detect even with ten power magnification. These tend to appear "perfect" to all but the most trained professionals, so remember this when you're shopping for just the right stone/value...
"Very Slightly Included" (divided into VS1 and VS2 categories) indicates very slight imperfections which are still difficult to see with ten power magnification. At VS2, this is where the "values" begin! The upper grades are great, but the cost is restrictive for most, and when you can't see the difference except in a gemologist's laboratory my advise is to consider this grade and spend less time with gemologists :) Now, for the step cut diamonds, like the emerald cut, this "VS" grade area is perfection, for in this cut one needs to realize that clarity is a very imporant consideration. The diamonds which are brillanteered, like the round cut and others, breaks the light up into small pinfire, and masks most all imperfections down to the SI1 range, for apparent perfection, in a emerald cut the effect is that of a "clear pool of water", and more a reflective and mirror effect, so imperfections in the emerald cut tend to be more visible below VS2. For a perfect emerald cut this range is for you... A well cut "VS1-VS2" is where perfect comes to visit, and you can find everything you ever dreamed of in this grade in ways of quality and beauty.
You'll find the next lower grade category in the windows of nearly every jewelry store you'll visit. "Slightly Included" diamonds have slight imperfections and inclusions visible under ten power magnification (divided into SI1 and SI2 categories). These represent one of the best values for a nice diamond. The stone will look great, but you don't pay for the additional laboratory-graded clarity which makes no difference in the "appearance and beauty of the stone." Staying with the "1" rating in this grade is a great way to buy a beautiful diamond at a great value and apparent perfection to the naked eye. I have sold many many SI2's that were totally eyeclean, and for that client who wants a big and beautiful diamond this grade really makes sense... Not for the emerald cut, but for the rounds and other brillianteered cuts that mask activity, then you have a great look and a most affordable situation.
The lower grades are the "Imperfect'' grades, with some eye
visible activity within the stone. The "Imperfect" range is divided
into three categories ("I1", "I2", and "I3") with each factor indicating
a stone more visibly included to the naked eye. For the person who
wants that large and very impressive diamond, and is on a budjet,
this grade can be a perfect alternative. In a diamond that is very
well cut the I1 grade can offer much in the way of beauty, and while
one cannot say that this grade will produce a totally eye clean
diamond it can produce the most diamond for the money, and a very
beautiful result if cut well. When shopping for diamonds it always pays to remember
to work with a professional, and to have a return policy that makes
sense. We know that this grade can be the perfect choice for many,
so I have expanded our offerings to include this grade. Here's
a great example! This particular ring has a
3.25 carat center diamond in the I1 grade, and with these huge shots
you can see that the diamond is beautiful, being well cut. I think
that it makes sense to say that this range makes sense to include,
for it can be the pathway to that perfect result for the big diamond
lover on a budget. 
