A Diamond's Value by Workmanship and other
Features
A diamond's worth is directed by other aspects of the workmanship and
skills of the diamond cutter, in addition to the overall proportions and
shape of the diamond.
Facets: Look at diamonds under a microscope and compare the form of each
of the diamond's facets with ideal forms of diamonds. As an example, a
round diamond has precisely 58 facets: 33 above the girdle and 25 below.
If a diamond contains extra, absent or distorted facets, the value of
the stone will be decreased.
Girdle: The middle, or fattest portion of the diamond is called the
girdle. A diamond is measured from "extremely thin" to "extremely
thick." A problem with thin girdles is that they are susceptible to
chipping. With extremely thick girdles, a great deal of weight can be
hidden. You, therefore, end up paying for a heavy diamond that really
isn't all that big. Thus, a diamond with an even medium girdle is the
ideal. This is relevant to all shapes except the tip of the pear shape
diamond. In that shape, a thick girdle is needed to cause it to be less
susceptible to damage. When you view the girdle, make sure that it is
polished and well-faceted. Some diamond cutters may exclude this step in
order to save time and to prevent removal of weight from the stone.
Culet: The culet is the bottom portion of the diamond. It is the
location at which the pavilion comes together in a point. The ratings
for culets are "none," "small," "medium," and "large." "None" would be
the best, a medium or large culet may still be a sensible purchase
provided the stone is otherwise perfect.
Symmetry: You should inspect the diamond for the following aspects to
ensure that it is totally symmetrical: When looking at the stone from
the bottom, the culet should be exactly in the center of the stone.
Authenticate that the pavilion and crown have identical angles around
the entire stone and that they are not concaved or bowed out. If you are
purchasing an elaborate shape, such as the heart shape, make sure there
are no irregularities. As an example, there may be some unattractive
asymmetrical lobes contained on a heart shaped diamond. Another example
is with the princess shape or radiants. In those diamonds, you may find
some that are not totally square. Also make sure to scrutinize the table
to make sure it is flat and symmetrical.
Finish: There really is no particular rule with judging the finish of a
stone. Keep in mind that the more a diamond cutter polishes a stone, the
more carat weight it loses. (As a result it will lose its value.) The
objective of the cutter is to polish the diamond just enough to please
his customer. Also polishing may take away surface flaws that relate to
the clarity of a diamond. In such a case, a diamond that is rated IF may
be turned into a diamond that is rated FL merely by polishing it.
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