If you’re buying diamonds as an investment, loose stones may be your best value. Along with the four C’s, you should become familiar with some of the terms used in the industry.
Brilliance is one of diamond’s most celebrated qualities. Colloquially, it may refer to the overall brightness and shine of a diamond. In gemological circles, “brilliance” is the term for bright light reflected within the jewel. “Fire” denotes white light now separated into the colors of the rainbow, and “scintillation” is the play of light in shadows in a diamond. The best cuts maintain a balance of the three.
There is no other gem which can put out the light of a diamond. The brilliant cut is so named because its ability to enhance a diamond’s sparkling beauty. This cut, whether it’s on loose diamonds or jewelry, can be found in different shapes such as circles, hearts, princess cuts, radiants and more.
Certified loose diamonds may contain carbon spots, dark occurrences visible under the microscope. Cleavage in a diamond is where of the molecular structure split along either a parallel or other plane as the stone endured a blow. A cluster of tiny inclusions that appear to be one are called clouds. Some imperfections in diamonds are natural, even to the original rough gem, as a lot of them are a direct result of its environment both in the earth and out of it.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is an educational organization whose prime purpose is studying and grading jewels. The best choice for loose stones are GIA Certified diamonds, which are evaluated by an independent third party with strict standards and careful attention to every aspect of a diamond.
