Diamonds are the perfect gift for any occasion. When purchasing a diamond you need to keep in mind the Four C's; Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat.  To help you learn more about the Four C's of diamonds we have put together this informational page. This page will help you become more informed about diamonds and help you to ask the right questions when purchasing one.

Diamonds are the crystalline from of carbon, transformed by extreme heat and pressure. Diamonds were formed billions of years ago and are rare because only a few survived the journey form deep in side the Earth to the surface. It is know that diamonds are rare, and it is estimated that there has only been 500tons unearthed in history. Approximately 50% are judged to be of gem quality. Even fewer are large enough to be polished into diamonds that are much bigger than the head of a match.
The cut is the most critical factor for releasing a diamonds true beauty. During the process of cutting a diamond most of the rough material is lost. This is because more emphasis is put on adhering to strict geometric proportions that bring out the beauty and brilliance. In effect the Diamonds size is sacrificed for beauty.

To the untrained eye diamonds seem to be colorless. Although finding a completely colorless diamond is very rare. The slight variation in color is due to other elements that are mixed in during the diamonds formation. To determine a diamonds color, trained Gemologists compare the diamond with a "Master Set". The "Master Set" has been predetermined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Below is a "Master Set of Diamonds. Colors may vary on your computer screen

During the formation of a diamond natural imperfections develop. The diamonds clarity is determined on the absence of these imperfections. The fewer the imperfections the more the diamond is worth. Finding a diamond that is completely free of any imperfections is extremely rare. The method that trained gemologists use to determine the diamonds clarity is by viewing it through a 10x magnification binocular microscope.

Carat Weight is the most basic way to determine a diamond's value. A carat is equal to one-fifth of a gram or 1/142 of an ounce. Below is a chart of the Carat sizes. (The below sizes are not exact and my vary on your computer screen.)