DIAMONDS
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q. Why is a diamond so highly valued?
A. A diamond is truly one of natures most rarest and beautiful treasures. A crystalline mineral of carbon in its purest form, densely bonded in molecular structure making the diamond the hardest of all minerals. Add to this the highest refractive index, dispersing light in a lustrous display, giving you a combination of durability and brilliance that lasts forever.

Q. What does carat refer to in a diamond?
A. Carat is a measurement of weight, today the metric carat is the accepted standard for USA weights and measures. One carat equals 200 milligrams, the carat is further divided into points where one point equals one one-hundredth (.01) carat. The size of a finished polished diamond is directly related to its carat weight, but the actual dimensions will vary depending on the cut. A shallow cut of identical weight to a deep cut could appear 20% larger when viewed from the top. It is important to remember that carat is only a weight measurement.

Q. So what is the average size per weight of a diamond?
A. Given an average variance of 20% here are a four examples in the round shape category:

1. .25 carats
   4.1 millimeters
2. .50 carats
   5.2 millimeters
3. 1.00 carats
   6.5 millimeters
4. 1.50 carats
   7.4 millimeters

Q. How much coloring is noticeable and undesirable?
A. Colorless diamonds are valued for there reflective and refractive qualities, but when a diamonds color becomes noticeable beyond a slightly tinted range it is classified as a colored diamond. Color is rated on a scale from D to Z with D being finest white and Z light fancy yellow. Once a tint is classified as colored the fancy prefix is attached. The color range of diamonds spans the entire spectrum from white to yellow most common, then browns and on to blues, greens, and the highly prized and rarest, red.

Q. Why is clarity important?
A. When considering a colorless diamond clarity becomes the determining factor in how well the light will reflect through any imperfections in the crystal. The more imperfections the greater the loss of reflective light. The clarity works hand in hand with the cut shape, Style and cut quality to produce the most brilliant effects of the polished gem.

Q. I have heard of cut shape and style, but what is cut quality?
A. There are standard and high quality cuts, the standard cut is used to retain as much carat weight as possible sacrificing light reflecting performance. The higher quality cuts maximize light brilliance sacrificing carat weight. Also the degree of skill is much higher and more labor intensive in high quality cutting adding to the value and quality of the diamond.

Randy Janis at Heart of Gold Jewelers would be happy to answer all your questions in choosing the perfect diamond and setting for you. You will make informed purchases and leave with confidence knowing exactly the value of your diamond purchase. It is comforting to know that with every visit to Heart of Gold Jewelers you will be greeted with the owner and an expert who lives in Redding as your neighbor.