What are the different types of diamonds that exist
Diamond Shapes
Round diamonds are the most traditional and most popular of all diamond cuts. Princess cuts for engagement rings thrill the recipient and are the most popular shape in this category.
Emerald and asscher cuts are identical except the latter is square. Asscher cut diamonds have jumped into popularity recently and there is more demand for this unusual diamond.
If you desire the best shaped stone to enhance and highlight diamond clarity, a marquise cut is perfect.
Oval cuts are chosen when the beauty of a round diamond combined with a unique shape is desired. Oval diamonds with their glittering brilliance make small hands look longer and slimmer.
Looking for a fiery gem? A radiant cut diamond is the ultimate marriage of the beauty of round diamonds and the atypical shape of asscher gems.
Pear or tear drop diamonds look like sparkling drops of glistening tears. With this beautiful diamond shape, customers get the best of marquise and round cut diamonds in one blazing gemstone.
Heart shaped diamonds flash and burn with inner light. For the definitive romantic stone, diamonds cut into heart shapes rank number one.
Cushion cut diamonds are also known as pillow or candlelight diamonds. This rare, vintage cut diamond ranks number two on the most romantic diamond shape scale.
These are the most familiar and common diamond cuts. It is possibly, however, to find fancy diamond shapes like Buddha cuts or Flanders square cut diamonds. Ask your jeweler if you want one of these specialty cut gems.
Diamond Cut
The cut of the diamond is an important factor. An otherwise exquisite stone can be marred or ruined beyond repair by an inferior cutting job. The fire and intensity of a diamond is determined by the cut. For more information about the cut of diamonds, visit www.bluenile.com
Color in diamonds can vary from absolute colorlessness (crystal clear) to noticeable color. The color grading system ranks diamonds from D, the highest grade with zero color, to Z. D graded diamonds are among the rarest gemstones in the world and the most valuable. The grades move down in quality and value to Z grade diamonds, the most common and the most inexpensive.
Fancy color diamonds are extremely rare. The grading for these gemstones rages from Faint to Fancy Deep. In general, the deeper the color of the diamond, the greater the value. Most fancy color diamonds are a variant shade of yellow or pink.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity in diamonds is graded based on the perfection of the stones. Flaws in the gemstones are referred to as inclusions, that is, slight imperfections detracting from the overall beauty, brilliance, and color of the diamond. Clarity is considered to be the least important consideration in selecting diamonds.
Carat Weight
In the simplest terms, carat weight refers to diamond size. Diamonds and other natural gemstones are rare. The scarcity of such gems (supply) leads to their high cost (demand). Usually, the larger the stone, the more rare and valuable it is. Proper cut and the correct ring mounting are factors that will ensure the diamond's carat weight is set to best advantage.
