| Often when purchasing a diamond the different | | | | purchase a 'D' colour; but don't be surprised |
| sizes, letters and names which represent | | | | if a lower colour grade looks just as good. |
| these factors can be confusing. Our diamond | | | | |
| guide covers each of the 5 areas concerning | | | | Clarity |
| diamonds so you can be sure of purchasing | | | | |
| your perfect diamond. The price and also the | | | | Most diamonds have imperfections also called |
| quality of a diamond usually depends on 5 | | | | inclusions. The clarity grade is based on how |
| different factors: the colour, the cut, the | | | | many and how pronounced these inclusions are. |
| clarity the weight and the shape of the | | | | Put simply, the fewer blemishes the more |
| diamond. | | | | expensive the diamond. Can you see the |
| | | | difference between an 'IF' (flawless) clarity |
| Colour | | | | and a 'VS1' clarity? Without the help of a |
| | | | magnifying glass NO! (Even with a magnifying |
| Diamonds are graded using a colour scale that | | | | glass most of our customers struggle to see |
| ranges from 'D' (completely colourless) to | | | | any of the inclusions in a VS1 clarity |
| 'Z' (tinted yellow). First Class Diamonds do | | | | diamond). You can buy a flawless or a VVS |
| not use diamonds with tints below 'J' as they | | | | graded diamond but the visual appearance of |
| tend to look dull with subsequent letters, | | | | the diamond remains the same. You can start |
| not offering you the level of quality | | | | to notice a difference in the brilliance of a |
| expected. The higher in the colour the | | | | diamond when you look at an SI clarity |
| brighter the diamond and this is the part of | | | | diamond with the I1 to I3 clarity diamonds |
| your choice were your money is best spent. | | | | showing a noticeable reduction in beauty. |
| The first three colours 'D' 'E' 'F' are | | | | Most people will not be able to tell the |
| colourless and are only recommended for the | | | | difference between an 'IF' and 'VS2' clarity |
| purist as they you can usually only tell the | | | | diamond when mounted. Although there is an |
| difference between an colourless diamond and | | | | undeniable attraction in owning a flawless |
| those ranging from G - J when compared | | | | diamond a VS2 clarity diamond looks just as |
| side-by-side. Colours 'G' 'H' 'I' are near | | | | good. |
| colourless . They are easily the colours we | | | | |
| recommend for most clients. Colours 'J' show | | | | Weight |
| very faint colour and are recommended for the | | | | |
| budget conscious. | | | | The weight of a diamond is measured in |
| | | | carats. One carat (Crt.) Equals 1/5th of a |
| It is really pretty simple. The closer to 'D' | | | | gram. A carat is divided in 100 points so |
| you go, the more expensive the diamond. Can | | | | that a diamond of 50 points equals 1/2 a |
| you see the difference between a 'D' colour | | | | carat. The larger diamonds are much rarer and |
| and a 'K' colour? In fact the 'K' colour will | | | | their value increases exponentially with |
| look pretty dull in comparison to a D. | | | | size. A diamond of 1/2 a carat has a |
| However, if you look at 2 diamond rings from | | | | approximate diameter of 5.2mm , one of 1 |
| a distance, it becomes a lot more difficult | | | | carat 6.5mm and one of 2 carats 8.2mm. |
| to tell the difference between them. Most | | | | |
| people will not be able to tell the | | | | Although the weight of a 0.50 carat is half |
| difference between a ' E' and a 'J' colour | | | | that of a carat diamond the size difference |
| when mounted. If you're the type of person | | | | is only 25 fully compliant with the Kimberley |
| who wants the absolute best, by all means | | | | process. |