Yes. Tensions resulting from the diamond cutter’s techniques or the diamond’s natural, internal imperfections can make a stone susceptible to cleavage at one or more vulnerable points if it is struck with an adequate amount of force.

 

 

No. For example, a near flawless, clear colored diamond that weighs three quarters of a carat can be the same price or more as a noticeably flawed and colored stone that is twice its size.

 

 

Always. Color affects the value of a diamond more than any other grading criterion.

 

No. Round brilliant cut diamonds tend to be the most expensive, all other criteria being equal.  But fashion trends and market availability can make certain cuts like pear, princess, heart, emerald or oval more desirable than others for periods of time.

 

 

No. The manner in which diamonds are set can hide various types of internal flaws and create the illusion that a stone is more colorful