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DIAMONDS
Diamonds form deep within the Earth and are the hardest natural substance. They make excellent engagement ring choices due to their durability. Know the 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity, and carat to understand a diamond's value. Familiarizing yourself with these factors will help you choose the perfect diamond confidently.
DIAMONDS
Diamond
Mineral: Diamond
Colour: Colourless
Moh's Hardness: 10
Birthstone: April
Anniversary: 60th & 75th
CUT
The beauty and value of a diamond are mainly determined by its cut, which is judged by its proportions, symmetry, and finish. This is considered the most crucial factor among the 4 C's. Although colour and clarity are innate qualities, the expertise of the person cutting the diamond brings out its sparkle.​ A precisely cut diamond allows light to enter and scatter before reflecting back to the beholder, resulting in an unparalleled sparkle.
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Image: Davids Ltd www.davidsltd.com
COLOUR
The Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) has established a colour scale for grading diamonds, ranging from D (colourless) to Z (strong yellow or brown). Diamonds graded D, E, or F are highly valued and rare due to their colourless appearance, while grades G, H or I are more affordable yet still considered “white”.
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When deciding on the colour of your diamond, it's worthwhile to think about the setting it will be in. For a Platinum or White Gold setting, it's best to go with a diamond from the D-G range. Remember that every diamond is unique and has its own individual beauty. While a lower Colour grade may result in a yellow appearance, Yellow Gold can enhance the warmth and character of the stone.
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Have you ever considered the beauty of diamonds beyond the traditional clear ones? Pink, champagne, cognac, blue, and black diamonds, also known as "fancy colours," possess a unique charm and are rated according to different colour standards.
Image: Something Borrowed
CLARITY
The purity of a diamond is gauged by its clarity, which depends on the existence or non-existence of minute impurities or blemishes on or within the diamond. These flaws are commonly known as inclusions. Diamond inclusions are unique and act as a distinct fingerprint for each stone, providing undeniable evidence of the diamond's authenticity.
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Diamond clarity is assessed using a grading system that ranges from Flawless (FL), indicating a diamond that is free from any inclusions under 10x magnification, to Included 3 (I3), which denotes diamonds with visible inclusions that can be seen without using any magnification.
It's understandable to desire a flawless diamond, but it's important to remember that even those with slight imperfections can still be stunning. If you're looking for value and appearance, diamonds with VVS and VS Clarity grades are excellent choices. And don't worry, diamonds with an SI rating still have inclusions but are not visible to the naked eye, making them a more affordable option.
Image: Larsons Jewellers
CARAT
Regarding a diamond's measurements, size and carat are two different things. Although commonly thought to refer to the size of a diamond, a carat is a standard unit of measurement that defines the weight of a diamond. A diamond's size is how large the diamond will look when viewed from above. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams, so a five-carat diamond weighs one gram. A Carat is further divided into Points, a unit of weight used only for diamonds: 1 Point = 0.01 Carat. It's understandable that bigger diamonds are more expensive due to their natural rarity. As the carat size increases, so does the cost of diamonds. This is because larger diamonds require precise cutting to maintain their weight, increasing the price. For instance, a 2-carat round diamond costs approximately 3.5 times more than a 1-carat diamond with similar characteristics.
Image: Larsons Jewellers & Q Report
DIAMOND SHAPES
Different shapes of diamonds possess unique advantages and disadvantages. Round and pear-shaped diamonds are adept at hiding flaws while reflecting light, creating a dazzling effect. On the other hand, cushion, emerald, princess, or Asscher-shaped diamonds require higher clarity over the colour as these shapes tend to accentuate any inclusions, resulting in a less pristine appearance. If you'd like to familiarise yourself with the most frequently used shapes, just keep reading!
