I was wondering if rubies and such are rated for carot, cut, and clarity, too…like diamonds? Or, is it more important for diamonds since they are clear…hence (I WAG) they sparkle more, correct?
- Jinx
First off, it’s the Four Cs . I can’t link directly to this but go here and click on ‘Selecting the Perfect Diamond’ and the menu that pops up will have the four Cs as a choice.
Second, Cut is BS. Cut is wholly a matter of personal preference and doesn’t impact the value once it’s already been cut. Cutters will look at a raw stone and determine the best cut for it based on its inclusions/flaws. Once it’s cut, in the consumer’s hand, it only matters to the person receiving/buying it.
Third, color is becoming very hazy with diamonds. Colored diamonds are now being pushed as very rare and desireable where 10 years ago the ideal was still a ‘colorless’ stone.
Clarity is always the killer, the standard. No one wants a stone that is flawed.
As far as other gems:
You can count on clarity being a huge issue, flaws kill. In stones that can be lab grown, a flawless stone is now suspect though. The ideal is a flawless stone that is natural.
Color ranks right up with clarit but if you don’t have the clarity, you’ll never get the color. Muddy looking blue sapphires are going to be a hell of a lot cheaper than cornflower blue ones. Opaque emeralds cost a fraction of the price the clear, kelly-green ones do.
Other stones?
Opals are judged in many ways depending on whether they’r light or dark, which colors they exhibit, how uniform their colors are, etc.
Pearls are judged on shape, color, lustre, size and surface.
I can go on and on and on. Most, if not all, of this knowledge is available if you’re using Google. Enter “Valuing ___” Where the blank is the gem you want to know more about.
G’day
There are four Cs: colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Those four things are just as important for rubies, sapphires, and emeralds as for diamonds.
And it is a combination of high index of refraction with high dispersing power that gives diamond its characteristic sparkle. Good cutting enhances it. Other clear stones (e.g. rock crystal, glass) lack this ‘fire’.
Regards,
Agback