All About Diamonds

Product pricing and earnings updated August 29, 2007

SHOP DIAMONDS FROM ZALES

The value and quality of a diamond are defined by its cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, commonly referred to as the four "Cs". Below are brief explanations of each.

CUT: Refers to the proportions of the diamond. The more precise the angling of each facet to another, the more scintillation and brilliance it will display. Learn more about diamond cut.

COLOR: Diamonds typically display colors of either yellow, gray, or brown. The less obvious the color, or the more colorless a diamond is, the more rare and valuable it is. Learn more about diamond color.

CLARITY: Refers to the slight imperfections or inclusions in the diamond under 10X magnification. An inclusion is characterized as a fracture, a feather, a crack, tiny white points or dark spots. These natural inclusions are unique to each diamond. A diamond's clarity ranking is determined by the number, size, type and placement of the inclusions. Learn more about diamond clarity.

CARAT: Refers to the actual weight of the diamond. Learn more about diamond carat.

CERTIFICATION of a diamond by an independent third party is a guarantee of the diamond's quality. The certificate includes the diamond's weight, actual measurements, clarity, and color grade. It also contains information on the shape and style, proportions, and symmetry ratings. The certificates can also be used for insurance purposes because they not only have a description of the diamond, but also its estimated replacement cost.

SHAPE: Diamonds are available in several basic shapes. The shape of diamond that you choose is one way to express your individuality and style.

Round Cut

Team-oriented, helpful, good friend, fair, hesitant, caring, trusting, indecisive, flexible, adaptive, impractical, devoted, good listener, loyal, vulnerable.

Princess Cut

Makes friends easily, likes change, outgoing, accessible, popular, socially-skilled, energetic, inspiring, optimistic, impractical, peacemaker, open.

Marquise Cut

Practical, goal-oriented, ambitious, stubborn, organized, dependable, efficient, distant, traditional, by-the-book, critical, very direct.

Emerald Cut

Persuasive, confident, aware, on-time, risk-taker, open, energetic, enterprising, restless, carefree, competitive, direct, creative, spontaneous, intimidating.

Pear Cut

Calm, reserved, data seeker, supports structure, passive, practical, high standards, conservative, shy, withdrawn, thorough, risk-avoider, dependable, perfectionist.

Eight-Sided

Unique, brilliant, captivating, accomplished, confident, appreciates good quality, personal, well-rounded.

uTANGO merchants mentioned in this article:

Shop With Zales

	Zales offers rings, necklaces, pendants, cameos, earrings and bracelets in a wide variety of designs.
	Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent

Shop With Bailey Banks & Biddle

	For over 170 years, customers have trusted Bailey Banks & Biddle for its superior style, quality and value.
	Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent

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