Diamond Information

Diamonds are such a highly traded commodity that multiple organizations have been created for grading and certifying diamonds based on the four Cs which are – carat, cut, color, and clarity. Here is what to look for whether you are looking to buy an engagement ring, a diamond solitaire pendant or earrings:

COLOR

  • Color grading represents a fundamental element of the diamond.
  • The more colorless a stone is, the greater its rarity and value.
  • Even though many diamonds appear colorless to an inexpert eye, the majority of stones have a color leaning slightly towards yellow or brown. Colors are graded from D to Z, with D being “colorless” and every grade down reflecting varying degrees of coloration. D colorless diamonds are extremely rare and therefore very valuable.
  • The value of a diamond can vary considerably with the slightest increase in the shade of color. Pantera’s diamonds are classified following the standards of the Gemological Institute of America.

CLARITY

  • The number, position, kind, color and prominence of inclusions contained in the diamond determine the grade of clarity.
  • A diamond is ‘clear’ if examination under a microscope with a 10x magnifying lens does not reveal inclusions or flaws on the surface.
  • Truly clear diamonds are extremely rare.
  • The majority of diamonds have natural inclusions, invisible to the naked eye, that do not affect their beauty.
  • The clarity of a diamond is classified according to the Gemological Institute of America international standards.

CUT

  • The cut enhances the Diamond’s power to pick up and reflect light. The stone is revealed and the diamond shows itself in all its splendor and brilliance.
  • In order to reach perfection, the diamond cutter determines every facet and angle of the stone following a strict set of geometric guidelines, thus obtaining maximum importance and greatest brilliance for each gem.
  • In a brilliant-cut diamond there must be 57 or 58 facets lined up with precision.
  • Although many consumers picture diamonds as round brilliants, most of the world’s famous diamonds are fancy shapes. Pantera Jewelry uses fancy shape diamonds as Emerald, Pear, Oval and Heart, and has also introduced a new proprietary cut which is a modified version of the much desired Asscher Cut.

CARAT WEIGHT

  • The carat represents the unit of weight of a diamond.
  • The size of a diamond increases its value and rarity, but has a lesser importance if it is not matched with a good grade of color and clarity and a properly proportioned cut.
  • Two stones of the same carat weight will have, in fact, very different values depending on their other characteristics.
  • Nevertheless, size does indeed contribute to increase the value of a diamond, as large stones are rarer than small ones.