The Splendid Diamond and the Four Cs

Diamonds are the Rock Stars of Gems. Diamonds are not the symbol of unending love for nothing. But, how do you know which one to choose? Unlike the rock stars of the entertainment world where you merely pick your favorite because they are your favorite, diamonds have a quartet of traits that make every one to be truly special. The traits have been nicknamed The Four Cs. How is that for a band name? These Four Cs are Color, Carat, Clarity, and Cut.

The First C is Color.

Color refers to the color of the diamond itself. Most people think that a diamond is colorless and some of them are. Most of the diamonds we check however, are distinct shades of white or yellow or even yellowish brown. Then you have the Fancies. The Fancies are diamonds that appear in a variety of concentrated intense colors. The colors are determined by the different elements in the diamond. For instance, Nitrogen gives the diamond a more yellow tint and Boron creates a blue color.

The Second C is Carat.

Carat refers to the weight of the diamond. Each carat is two hundred milligrams. The heavier the diamond, the more expensive it is. The typical engagement ring diamond might average between one and two carats making it between 200 and 400 milligrams. The Hope Diamond, displayed at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, weighs 45.52 carats. That makes it nine thousand one hundred four milligrams! Can you imagine the price on that diamond?

The Third C is Clarity.

Clarity is simply what it sounds like. All diamond has individual characteristics within it called inclusions. These inclusions vary in size, location, color and type. One diamond might appear to be brilliantly clear, where another diamond can appear to be a little bit hazy. Those appearances and a very detailed grading system determine a diamond's clarity. And of course, the higher the clarity, the higher the cost.

The Final C is Cut.

This C is where man takes the steering wheel. All of the other Cs are determined by nature, but cut is determined by the man with the tools. My favorite part of what a diamond brings to humanity, is the dance of color it makes in the sunlight. That dance is choreographed by the diamond cutter. The correct cut can maximize the right parts of the diamond, as a result finding the paramount way to exhibit it in relation to the other Cs.

If diamonds really are a girls best friend, then she has to keep in mind that along with that one diamond comes four other associates. Each skilled rock star has a team behind them helping them to produce their art. They have a guitar player, a drummer, a manager, and a piano player. Diamonds, being the Rock Stars of Gems, have a team working to create their art as well. We should call it The Splendid Diamond and the Four Cs!