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DIAMOND.
5
Diamonds, when well set, always appear larger than when they are loose, and this circumstance gives great advantage to the seller. Shallow brilliants, that have a great surface, are for this reason always in request, and are generally set close.[1] Thus a stone of only a carat may appear as large as a well-proportioned stone of six grains,
The smallest flaw, or foul, (as it is called) greatly diminishes the price of the diamond; and if it be tinged with yellow, brown, &c. a fault characterized by the technical term off color, its value falls very considerably, and is frequently reduced from a third to one half. To counteract these defects, and to conceal the appearance of what are deemed imperfec-
- ↑ A brilliant is said to be close set, if the setting has a back; it is said to be open, au jour, if it has no back. Fine brilliants are always set open.
