Understanding Diamond Carat, Cut, Color and Clarity
Carrots VS Carats
Yes, these words sound the same but have quite different meanings. Carrots refer to a vegetable that is the preferred snack of Bugs Bunny.
So, what is a Carat you ask? A carat is a unit of weight used to measure the size of a diamond and other gemstones. Not to be confused with Karat, which is a term used to describe gold (that’s a topic for another blog).
The pronunciation isn’t the only thing carrots and carats have in common. Here are some more interesting similarities between edible carrots and diamond carats.
Only The Best Carats (Carrots) Are Grown Underground!
A carrot is a root vegetable which means it grows underground, typically just below the surface. With plenty of sunshine (for the plant above the ground), water, and proper care, carrots are usually ready to harvest 70 to 80 days after being planted.
Although carrots are typically orange, they also come in shades of white, yellow, and dark purple. At Dean’s we’re all about the purple ones, that is our signature color, after all!
A natural diamond also comes from beneath the earth, miles upon miles beneath. It doesn’t grow in the sense a carrot does but is formed when carbon atoms are exposed to extreme heat and intense pressure. Natural diamonds take a billion years or more to form and work their way up close enough to the surface to be harvested.
Once removed from the ground, the raw stone is processed and cut into carats. When someone mentions diamonds, most people think of a clear stone, however, diamonds come in an assortment of colors; way more hues than carrots do. Being that we at Dean’s Jewelry are fans of purple, even purple diamonds are an option!
Both Carrots & Carats Are Easy On The Eyes!
Okay, let’s clear this up right now, carrots will not make you see in the dark, but they will help with your vision. Carrots contain the richest source of beta-carotene which is known to help your eyes’ health. Think about it, even Bugs Bunny eats lots of carrots and he doesn’t wear glasses.
We’ve addressed how eating carrots is good for your eyes, now we’ll discuss how wearing carats is.
A diamond carat is not only good for your eyes, but everyone else’s too! You can see the shimmer from across the room and although diamonds won’t help you see in the dark, the sparkle may help you be seen in the dark! We even have diamonds that react to black light and glow. See for yourself at Dean’s Jewelry.
Make Your Skin Glow
Speaking of glowing, the beta-carotene in carrots also helps slow the signs of aging to give you a healthy glow. Your body converts the Beta-Carotene from carrots into Vitamin A which is known to help keep body tissue, eyes, bones, and teeth healthy.
Carrots can also help boost your immune system. Perhaps mom was onto something when she said, “eat your vegetables!” However, you don’t want to eat too many because it could cause a yellowish discoloration of your skin known as Carotenemia. I guess carrots literally can make your skin glow!
Don’t want to risk turning yellow but still want a glowing complexion? Forget those expensive skin care products and drape yourself with diamonds instead! They are packed with Beta-CARAT-tene, which makes you look and feel good!
Although diamonds won’t turn your skin yellow, we should warn you that wearing beautiful diamond jewelry may make others green with envy. There’s an easy cure for that, just send them to Dean’s to get their own diamond carats!
Diamond Guide: The 4Cs
Enough about the veggie carrots and more about diamond carats, Dean’s is a jewelry store, after all! Shop Dean’s for 1-carat diamond studs, 2-carat diamond solitaire pendants, 3-carat diamond rings, diamond engagement rings, and loose diamonds in all sizes, shapes, and price ranges. When purchasing a diamond carat size isn’t the only thing to consider. Our team at Dean’s will help you choose the right diamond based on the 4Cs: Carat, Cut, Color and Clarity.
Carat
As we mentioned earlier, a diamond carat is the unit of weight that measures the size and overall weight of a diamond. When it comes to diamond carat weight, one carat equals .2 grams or .007 ounces.
It’s important to note that a 2-carat diamond ring will not necessarily look twice as big as a 1 carat diamond ring, since other things are factored in when determining a diamond's appearance and diamond price. You will find that large diamonds aren’t always better!
Cut
Although the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) would provide you with a much more technical description, the cut of a diamond essentially determines how much it sparkles. The cut of the diamond depends on the original shape of the rough stone, the location of flaws, and the natural color of the raw diamond.
There are several different ways a diamond can be cut, with some cuts further enhancing its brilliance and natural beauty. A cushion cut diamond displays a rainbow of color, a marquise diamond appears larger than it really is, a princess cut diamond provides lots of sparkles, and a round cut offers timeless symmetry.
At Dean’s, we will explain the different cuts and tell you what works best for your diamond setting. Plus, when you buy your diamonds from Dean’s, we’ll give you exactly what you paid for them when you upgrade!
Color
Yes, diamonds do come in many colors, but the color grading scale refers to white diamonds and is based on the amount of yellow that appears in them.
Virtually colorless diamonds are classified as “D”, and these diamonds hold the highest value. It is very rare to find a natural diamond that is 100% colorless, making them extremely valuable. Grade G is near colorless and still quite valuable. Diamonds with an I color grading still appear white but are a more affordable option than D or G.
Once we get down to the grade of J the human eye begins to detect a yellow hue and at the bottom of the color grade is Z which has an unmistakably yellow color. Yellow diamonds are becoming more popular so this may be an option for a diamond fashion piece.
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond refers to its natural characteristics beyond just a diamond’s color. Diamonds are graded on the amount and severity of blemishes (external surface flaws) and inclusions (internal flaws).
Diamonds with no internal or external flaws receive an FL grade for flawless and, much like a colorless diamond, are incredibly rare and valuable.
In the middle of the scale are diamonds that have blemishes and inclusions that can only be seen under a microscope. Diamonds in this range are considered to be slightly included and are graded VVS1, VVS2, VS1, or VS2. Many diamond buyers choose this option as a way of saving money without sacrificing beauty.
At the bottom of the clarity grade scale are I1, I2, and I3 diamonds which have inclusions visible to the unaided eye.
Enjoy looking great by wearing carats, shop our diamond fashion collection or diamond bridal designs at Dean’s Jewelry! Sorry, you’ll have to go to a grocery store or Farmer's Market for those other carrots, but you may look silly wearing them!