Guide to Diamonds

Diamonds are sold in carats therefore the carat weight refers to the size of the diamond.

Nowadays buyers are more aware of colour than in previous times.

To assist this the International Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and the Gemmological Association of America (GIA) have developed colour-grading systems.

Clarity describes how free the stone is from inclusions. Inclusions are natural characteristics that occur while the diamond is being formed. Their position, size and numbers are important.

A diamond completely free from inclusions is referred to as “IF” internally flawless. Few diamonds qualify for this description.

The cut is sometimes underestimated but it is a vital factor in estimating the value of a diamond.

The modern cut is based on specific optical calculations that aim at maximizing the beauty of the stone. The unique optical properties of a diamond combined with expert cutting results in the “fire and brilliance” of a fine diamond.

This refers to the ability of a well-cut diamond to take in the light reflect it off the back facets and throw it back to us. This light reflected off the facets splits into the colours of the spectrum. This dispersion of light is called ”fire.” Expert cutting of the diamond will result in this “fire” and “brilliance.”

In valuing a diamond many factors are taken into account. The caratage would not be as important as the cut, the colour and the clarity. A diamond ring with a badly cut large stone showing many inclusions would not be as valuable as a smaller well cut, stone of good colour with small inclusions.

There is a wide selection of diamond shapes on the market , from the traditional round brilliant or cushion shape to pear, oval, or marquise shape square or princess-cut and emerald-cut.

Round brilliant is still the most popular cut as it tends to display the greatest degree of sparkle on the finger.