Diamond buying guide

We understand that you are here because you only want the best, and we would be honoured to assist you in finding the ideal diamond. Purchasing diamonds can be a little intimidating, but that doesn’t mean you should ever compromise or become anxious! To learn everything you need to know before purchasing that sparkling diamond, just relax with a cup of coffee and let us guide you!

Back to the Basics – The 4 Cs of a Diamond

Understanding the basic elements that affect a diamond’s quality and value is crucial when purchasing one. The four industry-recognized criteria known as the “4 Cs”—cut, clarity, colour, and carat—are used to evaluate a diamond’s overall brilliance and beauty. This thorough guide will assist you in navigating the diamond industry and picking the ideal stone for your requirements with knowledge.

Cut:

The proportions, symmetry, and general appearance of a diamond are referred to as its cut, and these features have a big impact on its brilliance and shine. A diamond with good cutting lets light pass through and reflect off of each facet, amplifying its fire and brilliance. The diamond will appear more appealing the better the cut.

On a scale from Excellent to Poor, with numerous intermediate degrees, diamonds are rated. When evaluating a diamond’s cut, look for adjectives like Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor. To achieve the most alluring and bright diamond, always strive for a cut grade of Good or better.

Clarity: The presence of internal and exterior faults, or inclusions, within a diamond, is measured by clarity. The brilliance and transparency of the diamond may be impacted by these inclusions. The Flawless to Included (many inclusions discernible to the unaided eye) scale is used by the International Gemological Institute to grade diamonds.

A diamond in the VS (Very Slightly Included) to SI (Slightly Included) range provides the best value and aesthetics for the majority of purchasers. The beauty of the diamond is unaffected by inclusions in this range because they are typically invisible to the unaided eye.

Colour:

The color of a diamond is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color a diamond has, the higher its value and rarity. While colorless diamonds are highly sought after, near-colorless diamonds in the G to J range are also popular choices as they offer a good balance between quality and cost.

Keep in mind that the color grading is often conducted under controlled conditions, so slight variations may not be noticeable to the naked eye. When set in jewelry, even diamonds with a lower color grade can still appear white and stunning.

Carat:
Diamonds are weighed in terms of carats, which are a unit of weight. It refers to a diamond’s weight, which has an immediate impact on its size. 200 milligrams are equal to one carat. It’s important to remember that a diamond’s worth is decided by its carat weight in addition to the sum of the four Cs.

Consider the preferences of the recipient and the overall look you want to achieve when choosing the carat weight. It’s possible that a smaller diamond with superior cut, clarity, and colour will look more spectacular than a larger diamond with worse characteristics.

Shop Diamond by Shapes:

There are many different diamond shapes, and each has a distinctive appeal and flair. ROUND, PEAR, HEART, PRINCESS, OVAL, CUSHION, and EMERALD are examples of popular forms. When choosing a diamond shape, take into account the setting and the recipient’s preferences.

Diamond Quality

Professional gemological laboratories grade diamonds, with the GIA being the most well-known and dependable in the business. These independent laboratories evaluate the 4 Cs and offer a thorough report on the qualities of the diamond. Before making a purchase, always ask for a diamond grading report because it ensures transparency and authenticity.

Certifications:

Apart from diamond grading reports, some diamonds may come with additional certifications, such as those from the International Gemological Institute (IGI | Jewelry & Gemstone Grading | International Gemological Institute). These certifications provide further details about the diamond and give you confidence in your purchase.