Wedding Jewellery - Diamonds symbol of enduring love

It is not surprising that diamonds have become a symbol of enduring love. They are incredibly beautiful, were created millions of years ago under astonishing conditions, and are the hardest of all known substances.

HOW DIAMONDS ARE VALUED

If you want to know the value of a diamond you must go to a reputable jeweller, as valuation is based on expert knowledge. While it is advisable to get a valuation when you are making your choice, you will probably want to choose a stone for the qualities that attract you, rather than for its technical worth. Select a stone and a ring design that you like and that will endure over time. And ask the jeweller about each of the qualities mentioned below.

Experts consider four factors when valuing a diamond: the colour, the cut, the carat, and the clarity.

Carat
The weight of diamonds is measured using the carat, a unit of measure equal to .2 of a gram. Diamond weight can also be given in points, with 100 points being the same as one carat. In the case of diamonds bigger is not necessarily better! The experts consider a stone's colour, cut, and clarity as well as its weight when valuing a diamond.

Colour
Diamonds are graded for colour, from D, colourless, to Z, those with more trace elements and therefore colour. Most diamonds appear to be colourless, but even these have trace elements which give the diamond a light yellow or brown tone. Coloured diamonds, blue, pink, red, yellow or green, are more unusual and more expensive. While these colours are often very appealing, many people select a colourless diamond because it is less likely to date.

Cut
The cut of a diamond is important because it determines the extent to which it reflects light, and therefore sparkles. As with any stone, each diamond will have strengths and weaknesses in its form which will affect how it can be cut: more weaknesses will restrict the options as to cut and therefore the potential value of the diamond. Diamonds are generally cut into one of seven standard shapes.

Clarity
Diamonds have impurities called inclusions - gases or minerals - trapped within the stone. Under magnification these can be seen as fine lines or minute crystals. Fewer inclusions lead to higher clarity in a stone.