Buying the perfect diamond

There is so much more to a stunning diamond that first meets the eye. We know that finding the right diamond can be overwhelming, so here’s what you need to know about all things diamond! This education page will discuss the four C’s - cut, clarity, colour and carat. Remember - all of these factors work together!  If you are in the process of buying a diamond piece of jewellery, we recommend taking the time to learn about the four C’s. Read on for our explanation of them!

CUT

A diamonds cut is undeniably the most important of the 4 Cs. Even with close to perfect colour, size and clarity if a diamond’s cut is not in correct proportions all other characteristics will not be as highly valued. The way in which a diamond is cut will determine how the diamond reflects light and hence determine its brilliance or sparkle. A poorly cut diamond will appear lifeless and dull.

The cut of a diamond refers to its facets and proportions, not just the shape. The proportions between the table, the crown, the pavilion and the girdle are extremely important in ensuring the radiance is maximised. For this reason, sometimes cutting the diamond smaller to better its proportions can make it more valuable. 

CLARITY

The way we think of clarity, is like birth marks; diamond clarity is the birthmarks that diamonds have on the inside of the stone. The more pure the clarity, the more brilliant the diamond. Diamonds are graded according to their combinations of Monte mineral traces and crustal dislocations called inclusions. Flawless diamonds are extremely rare and valuable because the fewer the inclusions, the less interference with the passage of light, and hence its greater sparkle.
Inclusions vary from flawless (FL) to imperfect (I3) with a number of grades in between the two extremes. Flawless diamonds are exceedingly rare and are best suited to diamonds that have a colourless grade (typically D-F range). A clarity grade of I3 which means that the diamond has inclusions which may be visible to the naked eye are best suited to lower colour grades as the inclusions won’t be as evident.

COLOUR

The whiter the colour of the diamond, the greater its capacity to reflect and refract light, and create a greater brilliance. The highest quality diamonds are described as colourless and are extremely rare. This, of course, makes them very valuable. Jewellers grade a diamonds colour on a scale beginning with D (colourless) and moving through Z. 

CARAT WEIGHT

Carat isa term referring to the weight of a diamond and not its size in dimensions. The weight of a diamond alone is not all that is considered as a large stone is not particularly valuable if it lacks high-grade colour, brilliance or clarity. The size and shape of the “rough” diamond, usually dictates the “shape” of the final diamond produced.