Diamonds — The Four C's
Introduction
Let's begin by stating what may be obvious to some. A diamond is crystalline carbon. It is the simplest of gemstones, made up of a single element. Diamond is the hardest substance known to man - approximately 40 times harder than the next hardest substance and 100 times more scratch resistant. Industrially, diamond is incredibly resistant to radiation, temperature and chemical damage. It can conduct heat as well as any metal and yet is an excellent electrical insulator.
Diamond is a rare substance on the earth. In fact, it is estimated that only 350 tons of diamond have ever been mined in recorded history. When gem quality criteria are applied, roughly 75% of all diamond production ends up used for industrial purposes. Of the remainder, very few "finished" stones (cut diamonds) are what is called near colorless to colorless and without blemishes visible to the naked eye. Fewer still are of any size larger than a match head.
When you consider that a diamond crystal reflects a geological history of some 3.3 billion years, incredible pressures below the earth's crust and temperatures in excess of 6900 degrees Fahrenheit, it is truly a precious substance.
For centuries, diamonds have been associated with romance and legend. The word "diamond" stems from "adamas", a Greek word meaning unconquerable, as in the eternity of love. The Greeks believed the fire reflected in a diamond symbolized the constant flame of love.
Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy in 1477 and the tradition of the diamond engagement ring began. And the tradition of wearing the engagement/wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand dates back to the ancient Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) runs directly from the heart to the third finger, left hand.
Diamond grading standards use four criteria to assess a gem's relative rarity: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Each of these criteria, commonly referred to as the 4Cs, effect the value of a finished diamond approximately the same. However, cut and color can have the most visible effects. Of these two criteria, color remains the most easily identifiable characteristic, while quality of cut is more difficult to assess. Clarity is actually one of the more easily identifiable characteristics, although magnification is necessary for judgement. And carat weight, sometimes associated with the look of size or the face of a diamond is simply determined on a scale.
Let's look at each of these characteristics individually.
Diamond is a rare substance on the earth. In fact, it is estimated that only 350 tons of diamond have ever been mined in recorded history. When gem quality criteria are applied, roughly 75% of all diamond production ends up used for industrial purposes. Of the remainder, very few "finished" stones (cut diamonds) are what is called near colorless to colorless and without blemishes visible to the naked eye. Fewer still are of any size larger than a match head.
When you consider that a diamond crystal reflects a geological history of some 3.3 billion years, incredible pressures below the earth's crust and temperatures in excess of 6900 degrees Fahrenheit, it is truly a precious substance.
For centuries, diamonds have been associated with romance and legend. The word "diamond" stems from "adamas", a Greek word meaning unconquerable, as in the eternity of love. The Greeks believed the fire reflected in a diamond symbolized the constant flame of love.
Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy in 1477 and the tradition of the diamond engagement ring began. And the tradition of wearing the engagement/wedding ring on the third finger of the left hand dates back to the ancient Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) runs directly from the heart to the third finger, left hand.
Diamond grading standards use four criteria to assess a gem's relative rarity: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Each of these criteria, commonly referred to as the 4Cs, effect the value of a finished diamond approximately the same. However, cut and color can have the most visible effects. Of these two criteria, color remains the most easily identifiable characteristic, while quality of cut is more difficult to assess. Clarity is actually one of the more easily identifiable characteristics, although magnification is necessary for judgement. And carat weight, sometimes associated with the look of size or the face of a diamond is simply determined on a scale.
Let's look at each of these characteristics individually.
(Next)
