Question

Name four characteristics that determine the value of a diamond?

Answer 1

• Diamond is an allotrope of Carbon that exists in the crystalline structure. It is the hardest natural substance on the Earth.
• The allotropes in which the constituent particles are arranged in a particular pattern are said to have a crystalline structure.
• The value of a diamond is estimated by its purity.
• The parameters are purity are 4Cs taken from the first alphabet of the four words i.e. cut, color, clarity and carat.

1. Cut: The way a diamond is cut decides the amount of light that will be refracted from it which in turn impacts the amount of sparkle in a diamond.
2. Color: This represents the color of the diamond. The more colorless a diamond is, the more valuable it is.
3. Carat: The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. One carat is equal to 200 mg or 0.2 g.
4. Clarity: When a diamond is in its initial stages of formation, it might develop some defects in its structure. This impacts the overall quality of the diamond in terms of appearance. The lesser the defects in its structure, the better the clarity.