Diamonds Blog by Diamonds-USA

AGS: The American Gem Society was established in 1934 by a select group of independent jewelers and also Robert M. Shipley, the founder of the Gemological Institue of America ( GIA ). AGS’s practice is to promote universally-accepted standards for grading diamonds, gemstones and metals.

Asscher: A fully made emerald cut with very large corners.

Blemish: There are several different types of blemishes, or flaws, that you might see on the surface of a diamond. Most diamond blemishes are a natural part of the gem while others occur either when the diamond is cut and polished or while you are wearing it. Surface blemishes may degrade diamond clarity and value, although most blemishes have little affect on a diamond’s appearance.

Brilliance: The effect that makes diamonds the most unique among all other gemstones. Brilliance is created when light enters through the table of the gemstone, reaches the pavilion facets, and is then reflected back out through the table. This is what makes a diamond sparkle to the eye.

Brilliant Cut: Designed for maximize brilliance, it is one of three types of faceting arrangements. Round diamonds, ovals, radiants, princesses, hearts, marquise, and pears all fall into this cut category. In a brilliant cut diamond all facets appear to radiate out from the center towards its outer edges. A standard brilliant round consists of a total of 58 facets: 1 table: 8 bezel facets, 8 star facets and 16 upper girdle facets on the crown: and 8 pavilion facets, 16 lower girdle facets, and usually a culet on the base.

Carat: A diamonds weight is measured in carats. The higher the carat (size) of a diamond the more valuable and rare it becomes. Its size “1″ carat is about 0.2 grams and a (1) carat is also equal to 100 points. For example a 50 point diamond written as(0.50) is the same as saying a one-half carat diamond.

Carbon Spots: When viewed under a microscope, included crystals that have a dark appearance rather than a white appearance are referred to as carbon spots. This term is often misused in the jewelry industry to describe the appearance of certain inclusions in a diamonds. Carbon spots, in most cases, are not visible with the naked eye and don not affect the brilliance of a diamond.

Clouds: When viewed under a microscope, the groupings of several tiny inclusions that appear to look like a soft transparent cloud are referred to as clouds. This inclusion cannot be seen with the naked eye and usually do not effect a diamonds clarity grade.

Crown: This is the upper part of a cut gemstone and is located above the girdle. The crown consists of a table facet surrounded by star or bezel facets.

Culet: This is the small facet that is polished parallel to the table, which would be otherwise referred to as the sharp point or ridge the ends the pavilion of a faceted diamond.