Guide to diamonds, a masterpiece loved by light

Carat Weight refers to the weight of a diamond. The carat is often confused with the size even if it is actually a unit of weight. A carat can also be divided into 100 "points". A diamond of 0.75 carats can also be referred to as a diamond of 75 points or ¾ of a carat.

A one-carat diamond does not cost exactly twice as much as a half-carat diamond, as larger diamonds are rarer in nature, which places them at the top of the diamond quality pyramid, a one-carat diamond will cost much more than double that of a half carat diamond of the same color, clarity and cut.

This parameter refers precisely to the color of a diamond.
The color range of diamonds varies from ice white to warm white. Diamonds are classified according to a scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) which goes from D (colorless) to Z. The colors shown in the table are only to show the differences in shades. The letter D refers to perfectly colorless stones, the rarest and most expensive. Below we have the color E (exceptional white), F (extra white +), G (extra white), H (white), I-J (slightly tinted white), K-L (tinted white), M-N-O-P-R-S-Z (tinted).

Purity is evaluated according to the amount of inclusions present in a diamond. Almost all diamonds have inclusions within them, sometimes referred to as "fingerprints of nature". They are natural identifying features, such as minerals or fractures, which appear during the formation of diamonds underground. They can be in the form of small crystals, clouds or feathers, however normally not visible to the naked eye. To see the inclusions the jewelers must make use of a magnifying glass that allows them to see a diamond magnified 10 times in order to better locate the inclusions. The location of an inclusion can help determine the value of a diamond. There are very few diamonds in nature that are completely free of imperfections and these are therefore extremely valuable. Inclusions are rated on a scale of perfection, known as purity, established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Some inclusions may be hidden by the setting and therefore have little effect on the beauty of the stone. An inclusion in the center or on the diamond table could affect the scattering of light, thereby decreasing the brightness of the stone. The higher the clarity of the diamond, the greater the brilliance, value and rarity of the stone.

The cut is the only one of the 4Cs to be influenced by the hand of man. Based on mathematical formulas, a well-cut diamond will reflect the light internally from one facet to the other like in a mirror and then scatter it and reflect it through the crown and the table.

The cut can also refer to the shape, for example round, square, teardrop, heart.
Since a round diamond is symmetrical and able to reflect practically all the light that enters it, this is the shape with the greatest brightness and follows specific guidelines regarding proportions.