Magnification & Lighting: Diamonds are graded with a jeweler's loupe (pronounced loop). This basically a hand held magnifier that is fully corrected so that there is no distortion. Loupes, though, are very hard to master and it's much easier for you to use a binocular microscope instead. If you do use a loupe, make sure that it is 10 power as some jewelers might give you a 5 or 2 power one so you can't see a diamond's flaws as well. The first thing to know about using a jeweler's loupe is that you can look through it from either side; they are both the same. Bring the loupe right up to your eye in one hand and hold the diamond in the other, positioning the diamond about one inch away from the loupe until the entire interior of the diamond is in clear view. Keep your head up as if you were talking to someone so you will not block out the light from hitting the diamond. Ideally, you want the strongest light source to pass through the side of the diamond. When viewing the color of the diamond use only daylight balanced light as incandescent lights will give off a yellow color. Examination: When determining the body color of the diamond, place the diamond face down on a white background. Look through the slanting sides going up to its point, the "cone" of the diamond. Notice how saturated the color is at the thickest points. This is the only way to judge a diamond's true color, as many diamonds will appear white when looked at face up. After you have inspected the diamond and it all looks good, make sure that it comes along with a grading certificate. This is a written document from a creditable gemological lab, like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), that delineates the diamonds clarity, color, cut, and carat weight, among other things. With this certificate in hand, you know exactly what you are buying. |
