Diamond Guide

Cut - The Sparkle Factor

A diamond’s cut directly affects its brilliance and sparkle. Precision cutting enhances light reflection, making the diamond appear more dazzling and valuable.

Brilliant Cuts

Diamonds with brilliant cuts reflect more light and create a dazzling effect. Because of their refined angular cuts and fantastic radiance, brilliant-cut diamonds are generally priced higher.

Step Cuts

Diamonds with step cuts have a brilliant yet refined appearance. Jewelry set with step-cut diamonds exudes uniqueness and elegance, thanks to the clean, precise parallel cuts that emphasize the diamond’s large, open facet.

Old World Cuts

Diamonds with old-world cuts have a soft sparkle. The larger and more open facets of the cut resemble a vintage look and make the diamonds look sophisticated, although not as dazzling as brilliant cut diamonds.

• The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has three cut grades for diamonds.
• Good Cut, for diamonds that sparkle.
• Very Good Cut, for budget-friendly diamonds that reflect light better and sparkle more
• Excellent Cut, for the most brilliantly cut diamonds.

Colour - Understanding Diamond Hues

A common misconception about diamonds is that real diamonds only exist in sparkling white shades. In reality, diamonds come in various hues, including yellow, blue, pink, green, and even black. Both colorless and fancy-colored diamonds are graded based on a standardized color scale. These grades are usually subtle and often undetectable to the naked eye, except in fancy-colored diamonds, which display rich hues.

Diamond Color Grades

Diamonds are classified into five main color grade categories:

• Grades G, H, I, and J – Near-colorless diamonds
• Grades K, L, and M – Slightly yellow-tinted diamonds
• Grades N, O, P, Q, and R – Very pale yellow diamonds
• Grades S to Z – Light yellow diamonds
• Grades above Z – Fancy-colored diamonds
• Fancy-colored diamonds are more valuable than colorless diamonds. They follow a different grading system, which determines the intensity of color. Diamonds with higher color intensity grades are rarer, more valuable, and command higher prices.

Clarity - The Flawlessness of a Diamond

A diamond’s clarity is determined by its flawlessness. The GIA diamond clarity scale categorizes 11 specific grades across six clarity levels, influencing both quality and price:

• Flawless (FL): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification
• Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions visible under 10x magnification
• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Extremely slight inclusions, barely visible under 10x magnification
• Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): Minor inclusions, visible under 10x magnification
• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): Noticeable inclusions under 10x magnification
• Included (I1, I2, and I3): Obvious inclusions affecting transparency and brilliance, sometimes visible to the naked eye

The most important aspect of diamond clarity is whether it appears eye-clean, meaning no inclusions or blemishes are visible without magnification. If purchasing in-store, we recommend inspecting the diamond first hand. For online purchases, always review the diamond certification to ensure authenticity and quality clarity grading.

Carat Weight - Size vs. Value

Carat weight is one of the most recognized yet often misunderstood factors in determining a diamond’s value. It refers to the weight of the diamond, with one carat equaling 0.2 grams. For perspective, five carats equal one metric gram.

In general, larger diamonds have higher carat weights and tend to be more expensive. However, carat weight alone does not determine a diamond’s value. Factors such as cut, shape, clarity, color, and rarity also play a crucial role in pricing.

Shape - More Than Just Aesthetics

Diamond Shapes: More Than Just a Look

Diamonds come in a variety of distinct shapes, each offering its own unique brilliance and style. While the 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight—apply to all diamonds, a diamond’s overall quality and appeal depend on a combination of these factors.

Some of the most sought-after diamond shapes include:

• Round Diamonds: The most popular and versatile diamond shape, round diamonds are widely used in engagement rings, necklaces, and earrings due to their classic brilliance.
• Princess Diamonds: A modern favorite, princess-cut diamonds feature sharp, square corners and offer a contemporary yet timeless appeal, making them a top choice for engagement rings.
• Cushion Diamonds: Also known as pillow-cut diamonds, these stones combine the softness of a round diamond with the elegance of a square shape, creating a vintage-inspired look with gentle, rounded edges.
• Emerald Diamonds: Known for their sophisticated step cuts, emerald-cut diamonds have three rows of top steps and three rows of bottom steps, delivering a bold, elegant, and timeless aesthetic.

Certification

Ensure your diamond is 100% authentic—verify certification before you buy.

A diamond certificate is the most crucial document verifying the quality, authenticity, and grading of a diamond. Issued by professional gemological laboratories, these certificates detail the diamond’s shape, cut, clarity, color grade, carat weight, symmetry, fluorescence, and polish. A certification from a reputable organization guarantees that the diamond is genuine and conflict-free.

Before purchasing diamond jewelry or loose diamonds, always review the certificate carefully to ensure you’re making a secure investment.

Trusted Diamond Certification Labs

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is one of the most trusted diamond certification authorities, following strict international grading standards. Other widely recognized certification bodies include:

• Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
• American Gem Society (AGS)
• European Gemological Laboratory (EGL)
• Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD)