Perfect Diamond

Perfect Diamond

Is there such a thing as a perfect diamond, and if so, what makes a diamond perfect?

Traditionally, a diamond's level of perfection or imperfection has been measured by the 4 "C"s - clarity, cut, color and carat - of the diamond. Let's start with clarity.

Diamonds' "clarity" designate their lack of tiny "birthmarks" or "imperfections". Diamonds with visible birthmark(s) are designated "Imperfect" 1, 2 or 3, with "Imperfect 3" having the most visible birthmarks.

All other diamonds appear perfectly free of birthmarks to the naked eye but still bear one of eight other designations based on how they appear under 10x magnification: "Small Inclusions" (SI) 1 and 2, "Very Small Inclusions" (VSI) 1 and 2, "Very Very Small Inclusions" (VVSI) 1 and 2, "Internally Flawless", and "Flawless".

Diamonds' "color" use the alphabetic characters from D to Z to rate their levels of yellowish tint. Easily visible yellowish tints are rated S to Z, with Z being the darkest, even though all of them are called, "Light Yellow". Lighter yellowish tints are rated N to R and called "Very Light Yellow", while diamonds whose yellowish tint is barely noticeable are rated K to M and called, "Faint Yellow".

All other clear diamonds appear completely colorless to the naked eye, yet are still given designations. Colors that appear slightly yellow under magnification are rated G, H, I or J and called, "Near Colorless", while those that appear colorless even under magnification are called, "Colorless" but still rated D, E or F.

The diamond's cut should maximize brilliance. If the diameter is 100, its face should be 53-62 and the height 60. With this dimensional ratio, the light entering the face of the stone makes two 90 degree turns and exits through the face ("IDEAL CUT" on the right).

If the cut is too deep, entering light reflects at an angle too obtuse and exits through the side ("DEEP CUT" on the right). If the cut is too thin, entering light passes through the stone without reflecting ("THIN CUT" on the right).

Finally, diamonds' sizes are measured in carats, which is actually a unit of weight; 1 carat is equal to 0.2 grams (0.007 ounces). The size of diamonds for rings start under 1 carat and the price rises exponentially after the first carat or so.

(related: how diamonds are mined)

So, which diamond should you get?

For the answer, click on the statement with which you agree more: "Diamonds are forever" or "Heaven is forever".