Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Diamond Rings: Clarity Determines Value

Clarity is one of the four C's that impacts the quality of the diamond. It refers to the quantity of flaws found in a diamond. These flaws are imperfections caused by mistakes in cutting or that arise from the original rock. A diamond with poor clarity will have faults that can be easily observed, and may even be seen with the naked eye. They will not look attractive set in diamond rings, and have low resell value. In contrast, a diamond with great clarity is highly sought after by collectors, and will be a gift of true value to loved ones.

Flaws can be divided into two; external flaws are called blemishes, whereas flaws within the diamond, that can modify its ability to reflect light, are called inclusions. Since inclusions get in the way of a diamond's sparkle, they are more likely to devalue a diamond, but they can also be advantageous. Inclusions can be used to identify individual diamonds as a sort of diamond fingerprint. Think of it as a way to secure your diamond rings.

Diamonds are graded based on the visibility of these flaws. This is done while they are still loose diamonds. There are several gemological organizations worldwide that have created independent grading systems, although in many cases they are very similar. You should familiarize yourself with the grading system used in the store where you buy your diamond. When looking for diamond rings, you will want to inspect the clarity of the diamond above anything else. Clarity is one of the main factors used in gauging a diamond's monetary value. It is a standard accepted by gemological organizations across the board.

To insure you get diamonds of the finest clarity, buy loose diamonds first. This way, you can check on these diamonds with your own eyes. The jeweler should let you borrow their loupe or magnifier so that you can view them under 10 x magnification if asked. If they are hesitant to let you take a closer look, it's a red flag to look elsewhere.

Jewelry stores are not always what they appear to be. One store may have ridiculously low prices, or limited period sales. You may think you're getting a good deal; but they'll lose most of their value in as short as ten years. Your priority should be getting diamonds of lasting value. You can get a high quality diamond at a sensible price, but only if you study your diamonds.

When looking for diamond rings, you will want to inspect the clarity of the diamond above anything else. Clarity is one of the main factors used in establishing a diamond's monetary value. Be careful when picking jewelry stores as well. To insure you get diamonds of the finest clarity, buy loose diamonds first. You can find a quality diamond at a fair price, but you need to know your diamonds.

-Lorraine Jacobs

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