Diamonds > Diamond Information

The 4Cs to Diamonds

Colour

Colour plays major role in determining the quality of a diamond. A diamond acts as a prism, dividing lgiht into a spectrum of colours and disperses this light as colourful flashes called 'fire'.

"White" diamonds, although appearing colourless, can have slight tones of yellow and brown. As these tones become more easily apparent, the rarity and value of the diamond decreases. D is the highest grade and indicates a completely colourless diamond. J-K are slightly tinited white - Z indicates a strong yellow tinge.

Strongly coloured diamonds called 'fancies' have colours ranging from intense yellow throught to blue, green, pink and red. These diamonds are extremely rare and valuable.

Carat

The weight of a diamond is always expressed in carats, (one carat equals 200 milligrams). This is further broken down into points, (100 points equals one carat).

Diamond weight is always recorded to 2 decimal places in carats, or as the number f points. For example, a half carat stone can be described as 0.50ct or 50 points.

Clarity

The clarity or purity of diamonds is determined according to the effect that inclusions and marks have on the appearance of the stone when viewed faced up at 10x magnification.

The size, colour, number, location and general visibility of any internal inclusions or external markings are taken into account in determining the clarity grade of the diamond. Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection, ranging from FL (Flawless - no internal or external inclusions visible under x10 magnification) to P (pique) or I (Included) inclusions visible to the naked eye. If the inclusion are not visible to the naked eye, the diamond is deemed 'eye' clean'.

The position of the inclusion is important in chooisng a diamond. Some inclusions at or near the edge, can be hidden by a mount and therefore have a lesser effect on the beauty of a diamond. Any inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond, however, could be more visible and have more impact on its appearance making the daimond less attractive.

Cut

The cut (or 'Make') of a diamond is a most important feature. Cut refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a polished diamond and is not a reference to the shape of the stone. Even if a diamond has the highest colour and clarity, a poor cut will result in the diamond having a dulled brilliance.

A well proportioned diamond follows strict mathematical proportions. The light entering the diamond from the top will be internally reflected from one facet to another within the diamond before reflecting back through the top, and returning to the eye of the observer, giving the stone maximum brillance, scintillation and fire.

A diamond can be cut to retain maximum weight and to create the illusion of size, but this results in a loss of brilliance.

If the cut is too deep, light will escape through the bottom facets and the centre of the diamond will appear dark. If the stone is cut too shallow, the light will escape through the bottom facets, giving the diamond a watery or glassy appearance.

A well cut diamond will internally reflect the light from one facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone, maximizing the brilliance as well as the fire of the stone.

Be careful not to be confused cuts with shapes. Shape is the sihouette of the diamond when looked from above, and due to new cutting techniques there are numerous shapes that take the world's most treasured gem beyond the traditional round brilliant cut.

Round The round or brilliant cut is the most common of diamond shapes. Its popularity is due to to its incredible sparkle and versitility, and round diamonds look stunning no matter what the setting of the ring or the shape of the wearer's hand. Pear As its name suggests, the pear-shaped diamond is pleasantly rounded on one side and tapers to a delicate pointat the other. Its lack of symmetry adds interests and is the focus of attention an any piece of jewellery. Oval The oval-shaped diamond is feminine and senual in form. You willnot be disappointed with its brilliant appearance, as the oval catches and reflects light from all directions. The most famous oval-shaped diamond is the 'Koh-i-noor', which resides in the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.

Princess Princess-cut diamonds are square in shape and have a bold, modern look. The geometric, clean-looking lines of this shape of diamond are becoming increasingly fashionable. Marquise The Marquise shape, named after Madame de Pompardour, mistress of Louis XV, is the epitome of elegance. Oblong in shape and characterised by pinpoint flashes of scintillating brilliance that comes to a point on both ends, this shape frequently found in contemporary settings as a prominent centrepiece, surrounded by accent ovals and rounds. Emerald This is one of the more distinctive diamond shapes emphasise the transparent beauty of the gem. Its symmetrical rectangular outline, with four corners, gives it clean lines and that look of order.

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