Fine Jewelry: What To Look For

Is cut more important than clarity when appraising diamonds? You could spend hours pondering on the merits of one over the other. However, to get a clear answer, you need to grasp the relationship between the two. More importantly, you'll need to mull over what you value in fine jewelry.

A diamond's cut refers to its external proportions, as well as the skill of cutting and polishing. Diamonds can be cut in such a way that it attains its highest selling price, or maximizes its capacity for brilliance. The clarity of diamonds, on the other hand, refers to the number of imperfections a diamond has. High quality diamonds have less imperfection, and are subsequently considered more beautiful and expensive.

Clearly, the skill with which a diamond has been cut will impact its clarity. In the diamond cutting and polishing process, this is one of the few factors which can be controlled. Only the most exacting craftsmanship can ensure that a raw piece of diamond will be made into fine jewelry.

On the other hand, the clarity of diamonds can be poor independent of the quality of the cut. Clarity is also reliant on the quality of the raw diamond. As a buyer, you need to be attentive to this and inspect any diamonds you'd like to buy under a microscope or loupe to check for flaws yourself.

When you look at a round cut diamond, you'll realize how important it is to cut a diamond with a reasonable amount of skill. It will also become more obvious just how closely cut and clarity are connected to each other. Round cuts are known for having the most potential for brilliance above all other cuts. Any mistakes in the cut or internal flaws, even minor, will decrease that potential considerably.

Do you like fine jewelry? Do you think it's the diamond with the best cut, or the highest clarity? You have to look at both factors. However, you can look at the cut first, since it affects clarity, as well as carat weight. Prioritizing one of the four C's over the others is futile, if you don't know enough about diamonds to begin with.

A diamond's cut alludes to its external proportions, as well as the skill of cutting and polishing. The clarity of diamonds, on the other hand, alludes to the quantity of imperfections a diamond has. When you look at a round cut diamond, you'll realize how critical it is to cut a diamond with a reasonable amount of skill. Only the most painstaking craftsmanship can assure that a raw piece of diamond will be turned into fine jewelry.

-Lorraine Jacobs