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Diamonds: A Glossary of Terms
Speaking the jeweler's language:
BLEMISH:
A flaw on the exterior of a diamond, such as a scratch, abrasion,
nick or chip.
BLUE-WHITE:
Refers to a diamond that glows (flouresces) blue under ultraviolet
light.
BRILLIANCE:
White light reflected back from a diamond.
BRILLIANT:
A round diamond with 58 facets.
CARAT:
A unit of weight, equal to 200 milligrams. In ancient times one
carat was equal to one carob bean or four grains of rice.
CARBON:
The raw material of which diamonds are made. Occasionally a diamond
will contain tiny pockets of carbon which can be seen as black spots
within the stone.
CLOUD:
A cluster of small inclusions, or internal flaws, within a diamond.
CROWN:
The top of a diamond. Everything above the girdle.
CULET:
The bottom facet of a diamond, usually very small.
DISPERSION:
Colored light reflected from within a diamond; also called fire.
EYE-CLEAN:
Refers to a diamond that has no inclusions or blemishes visible
to the naked eye.
FACET:
A polished surface on a diamond. A round, full-cut diamond usually
has 58 facets.
FLUORESCENCE:
A diamond's reaction to ultraviolet (UV) light, causing the stone
to glow in various colors.
FULL-CUT:
A diamond with 58 or more facets.
GEMOLOGIST:
A person who has been trained and accredited in diamonds and
colored stones.
GIA:
Gemological Institute of America, an independent, non-profit organization
which sets and upholds standards for grading diamonds and other
precious stones.
GIRDLE:
The narrow, unpolished band around the widest part of the diamond;
the girdle separates the crown and the pavilion of the stone.
HEAD:
The prongs which hold a diamond in its setting.
INCLUSION:
A flaw within a diamond, such as carbon spots or fractures.
KARAT:
The measure of the purity of gold; 24-karat being pure gold. Jewelry
is made from 18K and 14K gold, which contain other metals for strength.
LASER-DRILLED:
A diamond that has been treated with a laser to remove carbon spots.
LOUPE:
A small magnifying glass used to view gemstones
OFF-MAKE:
A poorly proportioned diamond.
PAVÉ:
A method of setting diamonds very closely together, giving the illusion
of one or more larger diamonds.
PAVILION:
The bottom of a diamond; everything below the diamond's girdle.
POINT:
One-hundredth of a carat. A diamond weighing one-and-a-half carats
weighs 150 points.
SEMI-MOUNT:
A setting which is complete except for the main stone, which will
be selected separately.
SINGLE-CUT:
A diamond with only 16 or 17 facets.
SPARKLE:
The liveliness of the light reflecting from a diamond; the sum of
the brilliance and the fire (dispersion).
TIFFANY:
A simple, elegant 2-3mm ring setting with a head that holds a single
diamond.
by Fred Cuellar,
author of the best-selling book "How to Buy a Diamond." More questions?
Ask the Diamond Guy®
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