How to understand diamond quality
This is a brief guide to understand diamond quality based on the 4c’s of diamonds: diamond carat, diamond colour, diamond clarity, diamond cut.
The 4 C´S of a diamond
When you are planning on purchasing a diamond it is important that you know as much as possible about how diamonds are classified.
Like snowflakes, no two diamonds are exactly alike, even if they appear identical at first glance. Each diamond is an ultimate original whose imperfections make it unique.
Diamonds are extreme, and nature’s most precious and beautiful creations. They are pure carbon crystals, formed under extreme heat and great pressure at depths of hundreds of kilometres in the earth’s mantle. Most diamonds found in nature are over 1 billion years old. In a typical mine, 100 tons of rock needs to be processed in order to find a diamond larger than 1 carat.
DIAMOND CARAT
Not Only Carats Matter
Carat is a measure of weight, not size. One carat (abbreviation ct) is equal to 0.20 grams. Only one in 1,000 diamonds weighs more than a carat.
Since larger diamonds are rarer than smaller ones, diamond value rises exponentially with carat weight. Therefore, a one carat diamond will generally cost more than two half-carat diamonds, assuming all other specifications are equal.
Two diamonds of the same carat weight may have different prices based on their colour, clarity and cut. A heavier diamond isn’t automatically more valuable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DIAMOND CARATS
What does diamond carat weight mean?
Diamonds are measured in carats, which refers to the weight rather than the actual size of a diamond
Metric carats are used to weigh diamonds and other gemstones; one carat equals 0.2 grams. The carat was named after the carob seed, and now a carat weighs the same in every part of the world.
How much does 1 carat diamond weigh?
A carat is equal to 0.2 grams. Depending on the form, two 1 carat diamonds may not appear to be the same size. It is also worth mentioning that the price of two one-carat diamonds might vary greatly depending on the other attributes of the stones.
Is diamond weight and size the same?
A diamond’s carat is merely a measurement of its weight. Diamond size relates to the height and width of a certain stone, as well as the dimensions of several of its essential aspects. Carat merely refers to the weight of a diamond, whereas size relates to its measurements.
One of the most important selections you will make when purchasing jewelry is the carat weight of the diamond.
Diamonds under 0.50 carats are likely to be considered for a diamond budget of less than € 2,000. Although round diamonds in this price category are less than 5 mm in diameter, they can still be incredibly sparkly. Rings with 0.10 ct diamonds are elegant, simple, and subtle. For a more minimalist look.
DIAMOND COLOR
The less color — the higher the value
Colourless and near-colourless diamonds are the most valuable. The exception to this is fancy color diamonds, such as pinks and blues, which lie outside this colour range.
The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues with increasing presence of yellow color to the letter Z. Many of these color distinctions are so subtle that they can only be recognized by a professional under controlled lighting and using a master diamond sample set for comparison and accuracy.
These slight differences make a very big difference in diamond quality and price. Depending on the stone’s size, a single increase in color grade can boost the value of a diamond by thousands of dollars per carat.
Natural diamonds also occur in shades of blue, green, yellow-orange, pink or red. Known as ‘natural fancy colours’, these gems are extremely rare and valuable. They are graded according to the intensity of their colour.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DIAMOND COLOR
The value of a diamond is determined (in part) by its absence of color.
Diamond color is significant: Most engagement rings use near-colorless diamonds with traces of yellow or brown. All else being equal, the more colorless a diamond is, the rarer it is, and its price reflects this rarity.
Does diamond color affect sparkle?
Many people believe that a colorless diamond is more sparkling, although color has nothing to do with brilliance (that’s cut). However, it is still an important factor since it contributes to the diamond’s overall beauty.
What diamond color has the best value?
The best value of diamonds is represented by near-colourless diamonds (G, H, I and J grades). Colour G is only one step below total colourlessness, so it looks completely colourless. H colour is another good ‘almost colourless’ option and is the last colour grade where yellow or brown is not evident when viewed from the top.
Which diamond color is the most expensive?
Concerning white diamonds, the most expensive diamond color grade is D.
The impact that D color makes in the look of your diamond is more subtle than the cut quality or carat weight. D color diamonds are expensive because they are rare, not because they are more attractive than other colorless diamonds.
DIAMOND CLARITY
Unique Imperfections
The Clarity of a diamond is based on the number, location, size, and type of inclusions found in the stone. An inclusion is an imperfection in the stone that is visible at ten-time magnification. The clarity grade from “Flawless” to “Included” may also indicate whether the inclusion is near the centre of the stone or along its girdle, or outer edge.
Pure diamonds are extremely rare, and almost all contain “inclusions” or impurities. These are caused by the incomplete crystallization of carbon or other minerals that were trapped in the mineral during the stone’s formation. These imperfections are purely natural and highlight the uniqueness of each diamond.
Does diamond clarity affect sparkle?
It depends on how heavily included the stone is and where the inclusions are located.
Does diamond clarity affect brilliance?
Clarity do not affect brilliance directly.
Which diamond clarity is better?
The best diamond clarity is Flawless but the most popular clarity on the market for affordable diamond engagement rings is SI1 or SI2 as they are mostly eye- clean diamonds .
How diamond clarity is measured?
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed the now widely accepted standard for determining diamond clarity grade. The clarity scale consists of eleven unique clarity grades divided into six categories. Evaluating a diamond’s clarity requires a trained gemologist to determine the number, size, relief, nature, and position of any blemishes or inclusions and conclude how these affect the overall appearance of the individual stone.
What clarity diamond for engagement ring?
Each diamond is unique but in general, VS and SI are the best value for diamond clarity. For the best value, select a diamond with inclusions that can’t be seen through the crown without magnification (also known as eye clean diamonds) .
What is more important diamond clarity or color?
While clarity is an important factor, color is given a higher preference over clarity because it affects the entire body of a diamond as opposed to inclusions that may be present in a few spots of a diamond. Therefore, when compromising on clarity versus color, prioritize color.
What diamond clarity is eye clean?
An “eye-clean” diamond is one that has no imperfections visible to the unaided eye. They offer excellent value, being much less expensive than flawless (FL) or internally flawless (IF) diamonds, which are extremely rare and therefore command a higher price.
DIAMOND CUT
Perfect cut = more sparkle, brilliance and fire
Cut is the only element of the 4 C´s influenced by the human hand and is often considered the most important. Precise workmanship is required to cut a diamond so its proportions, symmetry, and polish maximize brightness and fire. If the diamond is not well cut, it will not interact with light as it should.
Each grade is evaluated according to 3 parameters: proportions, polish and symmetry. The Cut is divided into 5 grades:
Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DIAMOND CUT
Is cut the most important factor for diamonds?
Diamond cut is the single most important of the 4Cs when it comes to the physical beauty of a diamond.
Why? Because a diamond’s cut determines how much it sparkles.
The number of facets, the angle of the facets, and the symmetry and alignment of the shape will affect how the diamond returns light.
DIAMOND SHAPE
A common misunderstanding is that the term ‘diamond cut’ also refers to the diamond’s shape. Cut is what determines how well-cut your diamond is, whereas shape is the form into which it was cut. Diamonds can be cut into various shapes, the best-known of which is probably the round brilliant.
What diamond shape is the sparkliest?
The round brilliant diamond cut was actually designed and engineered specifically to have the strongest possible sparkle.
In 1919, Marcel Tolkowsky — an engineer and diamond cutter — published a new mathematical formula for achieving optimal diamond brilliance as his PhD thesis. The formula resulted in the creation of the round brilliant cut, now by far the world’s most popular diamond shape.
What diamond shape is the most popular?
If you’re searching for the sparkliest, most brilliant diamond possible, the round brilliant cut is the shape you’ll typically want to choose and far the most popular.
What is the oldest diamond shape?
Point cut Diamonds . Diamonds crystallize in various forms of which the octahedral and dodecahedral crystals are the two most common ones. These natural crystals have been adorned in their own right for millennia.
Which diamond shape looks the biggest?
An 1ct. oval cut diamond can look a lot bigger than a classic 1ct. round diamond. Because its elongated shape, and larger table an oval cut diamonds can appear larger than they really are.
Which diamond shape is the least expensive?
Carat-per-carat, emerald and Asscher cuts are the least expensive. Because they are step-cut, there is less waste when these diamonds are cut off of the rough stone, which is going to cost the same no matter how it gets cut.
