You’ve heard the phrase, “a diamond is forever”; yet, what actually makes a diamond forever? Besides being the earth’s hardest natural substance, the anatomy of a diamond is unique from any other gemstone. And when you understand the diamond anatomy, you are better informed when it comes to purchasing one. If you’ve ever wondered how natural diamonds are formed, what the 4Cs of a diamond are, or how each part of a diamond affects its brilliance – you’ve come to the right place. If you’ve ever wondered if all diamonds are created equal, keep reading. Spoiler: they’re not. Find out why Fire and Ice diamonds outperform others time and again.

How a Natural Diamond Is Made

Although glitzy and elegant, diamonds are quite literally tougher than nails. The natural diamond formation process occurs when carbon atoms are squeezed together hundreds of miles below the Earth’s surface, withstanding intense pressure and heat. To put it plainly, diamonds are made under pressure. This process doesn’t happen overnight; unless grown in a lab, most diamonds date back to the Earth’s origin, brought to the surface through volcanic eruptions, which is why diamonds aren’t dispersed evenly, but found in regions prone to volcanic activity.  The way carbon atoms bond to each other forms an arrangement called a crystal lattice, a repeating three-dimensional pattern that gives the diamond its clarity, fire, and brilliance. 

The 4Cs

Simply put, the 4Cs are universal standards upheld to ensure accuracy and consistency in evaluating diamonds. Most important of the four is cut: not to be confused with the shape of the diamond, cut is how the diamond’s facets interact with light. The cut is about precision; a well-cut diamond has more life than a lesser one and can even make smaller diamonds appear bigger than larger stones with a lesser cut. Color is a bit of a misnomer; it refers to the lack of color in a diamond, with colorless diamonds having the highest quality. The American Gem Society (AGS) uses a numerical chart that aligns with the GIA’s (Gemological Institute of America) D-Z scale; 0/D is colorless while 10/Z is yellow. The clarity of a stone refers to the presence or absence of inclusions, i.e.flaws. As with color, there is a scale to measure clarity, with a spectrum ranging from Flawless to Included. Last but not least, carat, contrary to popular belief, refers to the weight of a diamond and not its size. 

Anatomy of the Round Brilliant Cut

Perhaps the most classic and sought-after shape, the round brilliant cut diamond is typically what comes to mind when people think “diamond”. With their kite-shaped facets arranged to maximize brilliance and fire, they are the best example of the anatomy of a diamond because they have every structural part of one. Structurally speaking, and moving from the top down, listed below are the parts of a diamond:

• Table – usually the flattest facet of a diamond, it tops off the crown, this is where light enters and reflect back.
  Crown – the portion above the girdle; it affects appearance the most.
• Girdle - the widest part of a diamond and what is used to hold it in place in setting.
• Pavilion – the V shape beneath the girdle, at the base of the diamond.
• Culet – pronounced kyoo-let, this is the facet at the very bottom of the diamond and protects from chipping.

What Makes Fire & Ice Special

Simply put, Fire and Ice diamonds are the ideal cut, and are rated Excellent on the GIA scale. Cut with precision, Fire and Ice diamonds are guaranteed to reflect light from any angle. Fire and Ice diamonds will always appear bigger, brighter, and whiter, compared to other top-rated diamonds because they choose beauty over weight; the craftsmen who make them champion the art of cutting over everything else. Don’t just take our word for it; Fire and Ice Diamonds are available at Schwarzschild Jewelers. Come into one of our locations in  Richmond, Charlottesville, and Midlothian, and try yours on today!