Talisman Jewelers: Buying a Diamond

!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 3.2//EN"> Talisman Jewelers: Buying a Diamond



			BUYING A DIAMOND A diamond may be a sincere expression of love, a symbol of affection; or it may mark a milestone of achievement in your life. A quality diamond is a gift which will last through the years and into the future. But how do you tell a good diamond from a great one? Understanding The Four C's—cutting, clarity , color, and carat weight—is the first step. These characteristics explain why two diamonds having similar appearance may have very different quality, value and cost. Understanding The Four C's provides a way to evaluate a diamond and determine whether it is the right diamond for you. Cutting Cutting is a critical element in a diamond's beauty. The angles and proportions of a diamonds cutting determine how light behaves within a diamond. The more precise the cut, the more light is refracted within and reflected out, resulting in a more brilliant, fiery, and beautiful diamond. Cutting should not be confused with the shape of a diamond (e.g., round, oval, trilliant, pear, etc.). Click here for more information on Cutting Clarity Virtually all diamonds have some naturally occurring internal characteristics called inclusions. The finest clarity possible is flawless -- that is, having no internal inclusions, and is extremely rare. Minute inclusions which can be detected under magnification do not mar the beauty of a diamond, but do decrease its value. Very large inclusions in critical positions blocking the passage of light can reduce a diamond's beauty and durability, as well as the value. Click Here for more information on Clarity Color Diamonds, although they appear colorless, actually have slight tones of yellow. The closer a diamond is to being colorless, the rarer and more valuable it is. Color ranges from D (no color at all) to Z (yellow), and is determined by comparing a diamond to scientifically graded master guide diamonds. Click here for more information on Color Carat Weight Carat weight is a diamond measurement. One carat is divided into 100 points (just like a dollar is divided into 100 pennies). A diamond weighing 3/4 carat has 75 points and is expressed as .75 carat. The size of a diamond does affect the value, but only after Cut, Clarity, and Color are considered. Click here for more information on Carat Weight Once you have an understanding of the The Four C's, you need to consider which diamond qualities are important to you. Are you looking for a finely cut, brilliantly sparkling diamond? Or are you more interested in an flawless diamond? Are you willing to trade a few small inclusions for a something larger? Knowing your priorities will serve you well as you make your choice. At Talisman, we work with you throughout: clarifying your preferences, answering your questions, showing you the differences between diamonds. We want you to select the diamond that is everything you desire, a diamond that will last for generations.