“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”
Color
There are many differing scales used by different organisations for colour, but the most common one is an alphanumeric scale starting at the color. This is the whitest colour exhibited by diamond. A typical commercial colour seen in jewellery shops in the UK is probably around J to K which is still very pleasing when set in a ring. To give you a feel for the colours, look at the below:
Color Description
Diamonds, for me is one of the most beautiful things on planet earth. Diamonds are just really pretty to look at. Traditionally, engagement rings (mostly diamond) are seen as a “conditional gifts” to be presented by a man to a lady for engagement purposes. I feel that because it has been a tradition that women would recieve some sort of diamond when a man proposes, they feel that it is exclusive for them to be the “wearer” of diamond; hence, the saying, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend”.
Now, ladies out there…since diamonds are a girl’s best friend, how many of you out there know the grading for a diamond? Well, let me enlighten all of you out there
I am sure all of you know what that diamonds are graded according to the 4 C’s; cut, colour, clarity and carat:
I am sure all of you know what that diamonds are graded according to the 4 C’s; cut, colour, clarity and carat:
The main diamond cuts are:
Emerald Cut
Princess Cut
Heart Cut
Oval Cut
Marquise Cut
Pear Cut
Round Brilliant
Princess Cut
Heart Cut
Oval Cut
Marquise Cut
Pear Cut
Round Brilliant
Popular diamond cuts include Heart, Emerald, Marquise (Oval with pointed ends), Oval, Pear, and Princess. In recent times, the most popular diamond cut would be round brilliant (R/B). There are a few angles/cutting ratio to be adhered to in order to get a “perfect” cut.
Color
There are many differing scales used by different organisations for colour, but the most common one is an alphanumeric scale starting at the color. This is the whitest colour exhibited by diamond. A typical commercial colour seen in jewellery shops in the UK is probably around J to K which is still very pleasing when set in a ring. To give you a feel for the colours, look at the below:
Color Description
D Pure White - the most prized color
E Exceptional white - colorless group
F Excellent white - colorless group
G Good white - colorless group
H White - colorless group
I Slightly tinted white/ white when viewed from top
J Slightly tinted white/ commercial white
K Tinted white/ still acceptable white when mounted
L Tinted white/ needs yellow setting to look its best
M Slightly yellowish/Tinted color-champagne
N Slightly yellowish/Tinted color-champagne
O-R Yellowish/Tinted color
S-Z Yellow/Tinted color
Clarity
Clarity Number and Size Influence on brilliance
Clarity Number and Size Influence on brilliance
IF no inclusions-internally flawless none
VVS1 very very small inclusions, pin pricks none
VVS2 very very small inclusions, pin pricks none
VS1 very small, still minute none
VS2 very small, still minute none
SI1 tiny none
SI2 tiny none
I1 small none
I2 larger and/or numerous inclusions slight
I3 large and/or numerous heavy influence
-Diamond clarity chart-
Clarity is an indication of a diamond’s purity. It describes the degree to which a diamond is free of imperfections. The internal clarity grades range from internally flawless (IF) to fairly included (I3)or third pique (pronounced peekay) also written P3.
Flaws in diamonds may include external blemishes (from naturals and polishing defects) and internal inclusions. Most blemishes are so small as to have no affect on the beauty or brilliance of the stone. In nearly all diamonds, traces of minerals, gasses or other elements were trapped inside during the crystallization process. Inclusions look like tiny crystals, clouds, or feathers and are unique to every diamond. It is very rare to find a diamond that is completely clean to the expert eye using magnification.
The clarity of a diamond is graded by how many, how big and how visible the inclusions are, and where they are located within the diamond. The fewer and smaller the inclusions, the more rare and valuable the diamond. It is very rare to find an internally flawless (IF) diamond.
Carat
The weight of a diamond and is measured in Carats. 1 Carat equals 0.2 gram and there are 100 points to a carat. Thus a 50 point diamond is half a carat (0.50ct) and weights 0.1 gram. A Grain, no longer used, is accepted to be 0.050 grams. Many dealers still use the terms a grainer meaning 0.25ct, two grainer - half carat, six grainer- 1.5 carats etc.
The weight of a diamond and is measured in Carats. 1 Carat equals 0.2 gram and there are 100 points to a carat. Thus a 50 point diamond is half a carat (0.50ct) and weights 0.1 gram. A Grain, no longer used, is accepted to be 0.050 grams. Many dealers still use the terms a grainer meaning 0.25ct, two grainer - half carat, six grainer- 1.5 carats etc.
There is an approximate relationship between weight and diameter of a round brilliant cut diamond. This is useful when trying to estimate the size of a diamond.
To make things simple:
To make things simple:
Most diamonds are accurately weighed on an electronic scale to the nearest 1000 th of a carat (0.001). If a stone weighs 0.009 it is rounded up and 0.008 is rounded down. This is standard practice in accordance with diamond club rules, but in all other industries 5 is rounded up and 4 is rounded down.
Example:
Weight 2.329 carats will be described as 2.33 carats.
Weight 2.328 carats will be described as 2.32 carats
According to Trading Standards, jewellers are technically allowed to round up at the 5, hence 2.325 carats rounds up to 2.33 carats but this is frowned upon in the trade.
Conclusion
Not easy choosing a diamond after all right?? haha From the above, a diamond which has the perfect cut, D (colour), IF (clarity) and for instance, 3carat, would buy you a nice car/house (especially if the brand is Tiffany and Co.). Gents, please take into consideration of the above when choosing a diamond ring for your partner. Ladies, please know your “best friend”
Not easy choosing a diamond after all right?? haha From the above, a diamond which has the perfect cut, D (colour), IF (clarity) and for instance, 3carat, would buy you a nice car/house (especially if the brand is Tiffany and Co.). Gents, please take into consideration of the above when choosing a diamond ring for your partner. Ladies, please know your “best friend”
