Diamond Knowledge

DIAMONDS:

Beautiful | Rare | Cherished. Diamonds are formed when carbon atoms bond under extreme heat and pressure, gradually growing into crystals. Each diamond is unique — a true miracle of time, place, and transformation — with distinct qualities that define its value.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) established the first, and now globally recognized, standard for evaluating diamonds: Colour, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight. Today, these 4Cs of Diamond Quality serve as the universal benchmark for assessing the beauty and value of any diamond worldwide.

THE 4C's:

Diamond Colour-

Among the 4Cs used to grade and evaluate diamonds is Colour. In white diamonds, those with higher colour grades (D, E, F – Colourless) command a premium price compared to diamonds with lower grades such as J, K, or M. Near-colourless diamonds, particularly in the G and H range, are also highly valued for their exceptional quality and beauty.

Diamond Cut-

The cut of a diamond is often considered the most important factor when purchasing, and it should not be mistaken for the diamond’s shape. Cut refers to how well a diamond interacts with light — in other words, its brilliance. Simply put, the quality of the cut determines how light is reflected within the stone.

A well-cut diamond allows light to travel through the stone, bounce from side to side, and reflect outward, creating the sparkle visible to the eye. In diamond terminology, this sparkle is known as brilliance.

Below is an outline of the GIA’s cut grading system, which explains the distinctions between an Excellent, Good, and Fair cut.

  • Excellent: Diamonds in this grade display exceptional brilliance and scintillation, with a balanced and even pattern of light and dark areas.

  • Very Good: Diamonds in this grade still exhibit high brilliance and scintillation, though slight darkness may appear around the edges or in the centre. In some cases, even with strong brilliance, the overall grade may be lowered due to an uneven light pattern.
  • Good: Diamonds in this grade show reduced brilliance and scintillation, often appearing slightly dark. Factors such as weight ratio or an uneven light pattern can also contribute to this grade.

  • Fair: Diamonds in this grade display minimal brilliance and scintillation, resulting in a duller appearance.

  • Poor: Diamonds in this grade have very weak proportions, offering little to no brilliance or scintillation.

Diamond Carat-

Carat is the unit of weight used to measure diamonds. The term originates from the Greek word for carob seeds, which were once believed to have a consistent mass and were used as a comparative standard in trade. Over time, this evolved into the modern carat system.

Today, one carat equals 0.2 grams — approximately the weight of a paperclip. Each carat is further divided into 100 points, allowing for precise measurements.

When shopping for diamonds, carat weight is often the most commonly discussed feature, alongside other important factors such as cut, colour, clarity, and shape.


Diamond Clarity-

The clarity of a diamond is determined by the presence of natural flaws. These can be classified into two main types: blemishes (external imperfections such as scratches or chips) and inclusions (internal characteristics such as crystals or feathers).

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has established a standardized clarity grading scale, which is divided into the following categories:

Flawless (FL): Diamonds in this category have no visible blemishes or inclusions under 10x magnification, making this the highest clarity grade.

Internally Flawless (IF): Diamonds in this grade show no internal inclusions, though they may have extremely minor external blemishes. This is among the top clarity grades.

Very Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1): Diamonds in this grade are of exceptionally high clarity. Inclusions are so minute that they are extremely difficult to detect, even under 60–100x magnification.

Very Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2): Just below VVS1, this grade also represents very high clarity. Inclusions are still extremely difficult to see and cannot be detected by an untrained eye using a standard jeweller’s loupe.

Very Slightly Included 1 (VS1): Among the top clarity grades, VS1 diamonds are completely eye-clean, with inclusions that are extremely difficult to detect under magnification. The difference between VVS2 and VS1 is subtle, though VVS generally commands a higher price. VS1 diamonds are often considered an excellent balance of quality and value.

Very Slightly Included 2 (VS2): An ideal choice for those seeking quality on a budget, VS2 diamonds are typically eye-clean, especially in stones under 2 carats. They offer exceptional beauty and value while maintaining high clarity standards.

Slightly Included 1 (SI1): In diamonds around the 1-carat range, SI1 clarity often appears eye-clean. Inclusions are typically small and difficult to notice without magnification, making SI1 a popular balance of value and beauty.

Slightly Included 2 (SI2): In the 1-carat range, some SI2 diamonds can appear eye-clean, while others may show visible inclusions. The appearance largely depends on the type and placement of the inclusions — for example, scattered white feathers are usually less noticeable, whereas larger dark crystals may be visible to the naked eye.

Included (I1, I2, I3): These represent the lowest clarity grades on the GIA scale. Diamonds in this range are not eye-clean and often exhibit reduced brilliance and fire due to the number and visibility of inclusions. While I1 diamonds may still be a reasonable option for those on a tighter budget, I2 and I3 diamonds generally show prominent flaws and are considered lower in overall quality.