Welded Bliss DIAMOND GUIDE, 4 C'S and MORE

What is the meaning of carat?

Apart from not being a vegetable, the word carat has two distinct meanings. In relation to gold, carat refers to the purity of the metal e.g. 24 carat (pure gold) or 18 carat etc, also written as ct orinmany countries as karat or k.See following guide for more on gold:

WELDED BLISS GUIDE TO GOLD - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

In relation to gemstones especially diamonds, carat is a measurement of weight. One carat is 0.2 grams, a carat can be split into 100 points, therefore a half carat diamond may be described as a 50 point stone, and this would weigh 0.1 grams. Carat is often mistaken for size, and although it is usually possible to determine the approximate carat or weight of say, a good brilliant cut diamond by its diameter, an old cut, (antique cut) or poorly cut stone is much harder to guess by size alone, as the different facets may be cut in a variety of ways and depths.

What is a good quality diamond?

Diamonds are graded by what is commonly known as the 4 C's ; carat. colour, clarity, and cut.

The higher the grade in each category the higher the price.

The weight or carat of a diamond will usually be the dominant factor in the price, but the other factors are also extremely important.

The most desired colour of a diamond is described as 'exceptional white' unless it can be described as a 'fancy' coloured diamond. An indistinct yellow or brown could not be described as a fancy coloured diamond, but rather as a lower grade white diamond. Colours are graded from D (exeptional white or colourless) down to V (yellow or strongly tinted).

Clarity, or the prevelance of inclusions (popularly called flaws), is graded from IF (internally flawless) down to P3 or pique 3 (large clearly visible inclusions).

The cut may be described as from very good to poor. The way the diamond is cut is very important to the overall balance of the stone and the way the facets allow the light to pass into the diamond and to be reflected back to the top. A poorly cut diamond may have irregular facets and be cut too deep this will result in a higher caratage but at the expense of diameter (or the spread), and the brilliance.

Taking these factors into account Welded Bliss would consider a good diamond to have a colour of minimum 'rare white' or 'white', grade G to H. The clarity minimum SI (eye clean, small inclusions only visible under 10 x magnification.

What are conflict diamonds?

Conflict diamonds are diamonds which have been illegally traded, mainly from West Africa, often for weapons. The trade in these diamonds has fuelled war and, social and political instabilityin this region.A reputable retailer or manufacturer will use diamonds from merchants who can prove a chain of supply which does notinvolve conflict diamonds. Read more BLOOD DIAMOND - CONFLICT DIAMONDS - LEONARDO DI CAPRIO

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN THE FOLLOWING GUIDES BY WELDED BLISS:

Welded Bliss CHARMS GUIDE. BRITISH CHARM.

Welded Bliss DIAMOND GUIDE, 4 C'S and MORE

WELDED BLISS GUIDE TO GOLD - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

FREE POSTAL INSURANCE - POSTCOMM REGULATIONS