The Balance Of The 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color & Carat
The 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color & Carat are the age old standards for what is important to consider when selecting your diamond. However, we live in a modern age that has made some remarkable advancements and we need to expand our consideration to accomadate the new information we have so readily available.
Diamond Source
What are these delightful dazzling sparkles that capture our eye?
Diamonds! The hardest natural substance in the world brought to the Earth's surface by a special kind of explosive volcanic eruption called a kimberlite eruption. Diamonds are blown up near the Earth's surface from the upper mantle by way of the expanding volcanic gasses under extreme pressure. This isn't your everyday volcanic activity. It is such a rare phenomenon that scientists believe that the last kimberlite eruption happened over 10 billion years ago.
Diamonds! The hardest natural substance in the world brought to the Earth's surface by a special kind of explosive volcanic eruption called a kimberlite eruption. Diamonds are blown up near the Earth's surface from the upper mantle by way of the expanding volcanic gasses under extreme pressure. This isn't your everyday volcanic activity. It is such a rare phenomenon that scientists believe that the last kimberlite eruption happened over 10 billion years ago.
Until the 1700s, most diamond mines were located in India. Even in ancient times, diamonds were seen as precious gemstones, and are documented in trade history as far back as 1 A.D. It wasn't until India's supply started to run short that miners began to look elsewhere. Now there are only five countries that form the world's largest diamond market that accounts for nearly 90% of the world's natural diamond resource. Botswana and Russia are the leading producers of well over half of the world's natural diamond production. South Africa, Canada, and Angola are home to nearly all of the remaining diamonds.
As if that were not enough to make that dazzling sparkle on your finger something precious and rare, most mined diamonds are not even used in jewelry.
Diamonds are so durable and hard they also have many industrial uses. Diamond drill bits, saw blades, and grinders are an excellent use of the durable diamond. In fact, nearly 80% of mined diamonds are found to be unsuitable for use in jewelry and sent on their way to other industrial uses.
Diamonds are so durable and hard they also have many industrial uses. Diamond drill bits, saw blades, and grinders are an excellent use of the durable diamond. In fact, nearly 80% of mined diamonds are found to be unsuitable for use in jewelry and sent on their way to other industrial uses.
The scarcity of sources and the difficulty in moving the mountains of earth to find that rare jewelry quality rough natural diamond are factors that weigh heavily on it's end price. Fortunately we have an affordable alternative with Grown Diamonds.
HPHT vs. CVD Lab Grown Diamonds: What’s the Difference?
Basically, there are two possible ways to alternatively create diamonds: High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).
Both methods begin with a small sliver of a natural diamond crystal to act as the starter seed for the new diamond they are growing.
(HPHT) High Pressure-High Temperature method creates diamonds by replicating the natural formation process. Exposing the natural diamond crystal seed and natural elements to extreme heat (over 4500 degrees Fahrenheit) and extreme pressure that melts the carbon atoms and causes them to bond to the seed, which is how a diamond naturally grows.
(CVD) Chemical Vapor Deposition heats carbon-rich gas until it turns into a plasma vapor and in a vacuum chamber, those vapors crystalize around the natural diamond crystal seed. The natural color of the CVD Diamond as-grown, that has not undergone additional HPHT treatment to stabilize it's color, has been known to change colors, discolor with age or exposure to certain light rays, such as black lights or the sun's rays. The discoloration was typically a less than desirable yellowish or brownish color. The advancements in the manufacturing process of the CVD Grown Diamonds over the last few years has eliminated the initial issues with color.
Whether you choose Natural Diamonds, HPHT Grown Diamonds, or CVD Grown Diamonds, they are all Diamonds.
Both methods begin with a small sliver of a natural diamond crystal to act as the starter seed for the new diamond they are growing.
(HPHT) High Pressure-High Temperature method creates diamonds by replicating the natural formation process. Exposing the natural diamond crystal seed and natural elements to extreme heat (over 4500 degrees Fahrenheit) and extreme pressure that melts the carbon atoms and causes them to bond to the seed, which is how a diamond naturally grows.
(CVD) Chemical Vapor Deposition heats carbon-rich gas until it turns into a plasma vapor and in a vacuum chamber, those vapors crystalize around the natural diamond crystal seed. The natural color of the CVD Diamond as-grown, that has not undergone additional HPHT treatment to stabilize it's color, has been known to change colors, discolor with age or exposure to certain light rays, such as black lights or the sun's rays. The discoloration was typically a less than desirable yellowish or brownish color. The advancements in the manufacturing process of the CVD Grown Diamonds over the last few years has eliminated the initial issues with color.
Whether you choose Natural Diamonds, HPHT Grown Diamonds, or CVD Grown Diamonds, they are all Diamonds.
Moissanite vs Lab Grown Diamonds as a Diamond Alternative?
Moissanite is a diamond simulant made of silicon carbide. A diamond simulant is a stone that has a similar appearance to a diamond but is not a real diamond. It has gained a fair amount of popularity and is often promoted as a less expensive alternative to buying Diamonds. The choice of Moissanite vs Lab Diamond is ultimately your preference. However, here are a few things for you to consider about that choice.
- Moissanite gemstones tend to have a little yellow or greenish hue rather than the clear / white of Lab Diamonds.
- Mohs scale of hardness for Moissanite is about 9.25, however there are inconsistencies' in the the hardness from one gem to the next. Some may have as high as 9.5, while others may be slightly lower than the 9.25. Whatever the specific Mohs Scale Hardness is for the Moissanite, it will be lower than a Lab Diamond which is always 10. Although Moissanite is ranked as the second place runner up in hardness, and it may not seem like much of a difference, it is enough to make a Moissanite more prone to scratches and wear showing on the gem over time.
- Moissanite and Lab Diamonds are both artificially created lab grown gemstones.
- Moissanite is significantly more susceptible to heat damage than Lab Diamonds.
- Chemicals in soap and pool water over time will dull a Moissanite gemstone.
- A high quality Moissanite does have a greater brightness and fire due to a higher refractive index than Lab Diamonds.
- Currently, Lab Diamonds are generally equal (sometimes lower) to the new gemstone purchase price of Moissanite.
- The resale price for Lab Diamonds tends to retain its value better.
The 4Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color & Carat
Whether you choose a Natural Diamond, a Lab Grown Diamond or a Diamond Alternative, considering the Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat are an essential part of selecting the perfect gemstone.
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