Diamond engagement rings & the diamond qualities used
We use the GIA International Diamond Grading System which is based on the 4 Cs
Read more about the 4Cs below.
What are the 4 Cs?
The 4 Cs refer to the four diamond quality factors: – Carat weight, Clarity, Colour and Cut.
GIA, or the Gemological Institute of America, is the world’s most trusted authority in diamond and gemstone quality. Their 4 Cs diamond grading system is accepted as a universal standard for measuring diamond quality, and used by virtually all jewellery professionals around the world.
Each factor is evaluated separately, but together they establish a diamond’s overall quality.
Carat Weight
A “carat” is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs. One carat equals 200 milligrams. One carat can be further divided into 100 points. This means we can weigh diamonds very, very precisely, to one-hundredth decimals.
For example, a diamond that weighs three quarters of a carat can be expressed as 0.75ct, or “point oh seventy-five carats”.
It’s always useful to remember that a diamond’s price is determined by all of the 4Cs, not just its carat weight.
So in other words, if the other three quality factors (clarity, colour and cut) remain the same, then a diamond’s price will increase with carat weight. But if the other quality factors vary, then two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different prices.
For example, a 1.00 carat diamond with excellent clarity will cost substantially more than a 1.00 carat diamond with poor clarity.
Want to see what different diamond carat weights look like on your hand?
CLICK HERE to see real diamond carat weights and sizes
Clarity
Diamonds were formed million of years ago, deep under the earth’s crust and under extreme volcanic pressure. Because of this, they often contain unique marks and small imperfections, called “inclusions”. Diamond “clarity” refers to the absence of inclusions.
In other words, the fewer inclusions, the better the diamond’s clarity.
Every diamond is unique and all diamonds contain some inclusions. Any diamond that comes close to perfection is called flawless, but they are so rare that only a few gem experts or jewellers ever get to see one.
Within the 4 Cs evaluation system, diamonds are given a clarity grade which ranges from flawless (FL), to diamonds with obvious inclusions (I3).
Here’s a little more information about each diamond clarity grade:
FL – Flawless
Inclusions cannot be seen even under a jeweller’s loupe (a 10x magnification eye-glass). Matching flawless diamond earrings are extremely rare, so you would expect to pay a very, very high price.
VVS I – Very Very Slight Inclusions
Extremely small inclusions that are difficult to find even when using a jeweller’s loupe. You may see this category expressed as VVS1 or VVS2, where VVS1 is slightly cleaner than VVS2. These diamonds are very rare.
VS I – Very Slight Inclusions
These inclusions are hard to spot with the naked eye. Under magnification, however, you will be able to see inclusions that affect the diamond’s clarity. You might see this category available as VS1 and VS2, with VS1 being slightly cleaner than VS2.
SI – Slight Inclusions
On stones weighing 0.25ct and above, inclusions affecting the clarity of a diamond can be seen with the naked eye. However, these inclusions can often be hidden by the metal claws that hold the diamond in place. You may see this category expressed as SI1 and SI2. While SI1 is slightly cleaner than S2, both represent good value for diamond earrings without having to spend too much money. Unless you look at the diamond with your nose literally pressed to it, these inclusions are hard to spot.
I – Inclusions
Often expressed as I1, I2 and I3, these grades are used to describe diamonds that have inclusions visible to the eye. The inclusions can come in various shapes, sizes and colours. Care should be taken when buying these diamonds to avoid disappointment! In the smaller diamond sizes (0.15ct and below) flaws will be less obvious as long as they are not dark in colour and do not look like crystals of sugar.
Colour
Assessing diamond “colour” refers to the absence of any kind of colour tint or hue in the diamond.
In other words, the more colourless a diamond is, the better its colour grade.
The GIA’s diamond colour grading system measures the degree of colourlessness in diamonds on a scale from D (best, or colourless) to Z (worst, with a clearly visible colour tint).
Many of these colour differences are so subtle that they are only visible to diamond experts under laboratory conditions. The smaller the diamond, the more difficult it is to spot these differences.
That’s why it’s important to not get too fixated on a certain diamond grade. A good jeweller will always guide you to the best colour grade for your budget.
Cut
Most people who love diamonds say that they’re attracted to the stone’s beautiful “sparkle”. This is of course due to how diamonds reflect and “play” with light.
How well a diamond interacts with light is largely determined by its cut. Therefore, the cut affects a diamond’s beauty, as well as its value.
The quality of a diamond’s cut depends on the skilled craftsmanship and experience of the person who carved and polished it from a rough stone.
Of all the 4Cs, the cut is the most complex factor for a diamond expert to evaluate.
When measuring a diamond’s cut grade, gemmologists assess the external and internal light reflection (brightness), the way the stone scatters white light into all colours of the rainbow (fire) and the sparkle and patterns of light and dark caused by reflections within the diamond (scintillation).
Finally, a diamond’s overall appearance, as well as its durability, design, polish and symmetry, must be taken into consideration.
Note – a diamond’s “cut” does not refer to its shape (round, princess, emerald, pear), but how successfully it plays with light.
Need more advice? Don’t hesitate to contact us
Diamonds are beautiful. Take care not to fall into the trap of searching for a particular quality combination. A good diamond jeweller will be able to guide you to the best combination for your budget. As each diamond is unique, diamond clarity grades should only be used as a guide.
Our expert customer service staff are always happy help with any questions that you may have. To live chat with us, simply click on the orange tab in the bottom left corner of our website. Alternatively, email us on sales@thediamondstore.com.