DIAMOND GUIDE
Nature's most coveted gemstone, the diamond, captivates with remarkable beauty and enduring sparkle. When selecting the diamond that is right for you, it's important to consider the varying factors of diamonds that make each stone unique. From understanding the diverse shapes to unravelling the complexities of colour, cut, clarity, and carat weight, we're here to empower you with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision.
SHAPE
Diamonds are available in an array of different shapes, with each shape possessing its own set of unique qualities. The selection of diamond shape is a personal choice, often guided by individual preferences or personal style.
Round
The round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond shape. Perfectly symmetrical and balanced, round brilliants are cut with 56 facets to maximise fire and brilliance.
BROWSE ROUND DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Oval
An oval diamond is cut in the same style as a round brilliant to maximise fire and brilliance. The elongated, elliptical shape of the oval cut diamond can give the illusion of a larger stone and a longer finger.
Pear
With its tapered teardrop shape, pear diamonds combine elements of both the round brilliant and marquise cuts. Embracing a more unconventional silhouette, the pear diamond offers a refreshing twist on traditional diamond shapes.
BROWSE PEAR DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Marquise
The marquise diamond is characterised by its elongated ‘boat-like’ shape with pointed ends. This striking cut maximises the diamond's carat weight and surface area, creating the illusion of a larger stone. The unique silhouette of the marquise cut not only enhances the diamond's brilliance and fire, but can also elongate the finger.
BROWSE MARQUISE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Cushion
Characterised by its square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, the cushion cut diamond is reminiscent of a pillow or cushion. This distinctive cut features large facets to enhance its brilliance, ensuring a mesmerising sparkle that captivates from every angle.
Radiant
The radiant cut diamond is typically rectangular in shape but can also be square. Complemented by cropped corners, this cut seamlessly combines the elongated shape of an emerald cut with the captivating brilliance and fire of a round brilliant.
Emerald
Emerald cut diamonds are traditionally rectangular shaped with bevelled corners and elongated, open facets which highlight the clarity of the diamond. The rows of narrow facets, known as step cuts, create a captivating 'hall of mirrors' effect. Ideal for minimalists, this unique cut offers a subtle sparkle, making it a perfect choice for those who appreciate understated elegance.
Princess
The princess cut diamond, featuring four pointed corners and a square shape, is renowned for its exceptional fire and scintillation. Its precisely angled facets maximise brilliance, creating a captivating sparkle.
THE 4CS
The 4Cs of Diamonds (Colour, Cut, Clarity and Carat Weight) were developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and are used by jewellers and gemmologists worldwide as a way of describing and comparing diamond characteristics.
COLOUR
The colour of a diamond in fact refers to the lack thereof. The degree of colour in a diamond is categorised using the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) colour-grading system which ranges from D (colourless) through to Z (light colour). The less colour a diamond has, the higher its value.
It is important to note that the D-to-Z scale is used for grading white diamonds only, as fancy coloured diamonds (pinks, yellows, etc) are graded using their own respective colour scales.
CUT
Commonly, diamond shape is confused with cut. While shape refers to the outline of the stone, cut refers to the arrangement of a stone’s facets and how they interact with light to give visual brilliance.
Standard round brilliant diamonds are separated into five different cut grades as per the GIA Diamond Cut Scale – Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. This grading scale is used exclusively for round diamonds, not any other shape.
The three main visual effects considered when a diamond is given its cut grade are brightness (white light reflected from the diamond), fire (the rainbow effect present across the facets) and scintillation (the pattern of light and dark areas which gives the diamond its ‘sparkle’).
An Excellent cut diamond will be well proportioned, allowing light to enter and exit the stone through the top to maximise its brilliance. Comparatively, with a poorly cut diamond (eg too shallow or too deep), the light may disperse out of the bottom or the side of the stone, resulting in a dark or dull appearance.
CLARITY
Clarity refers to the number of natural imperfections present in the diamond – ‘inclusions’ (internal) and ‘blemishes’ (external). Many inclusions and blemishes are only visible under 10x magnification and cannot be seen with an untrained, naked eye. Diamonds with little to no imperfections are the most valuable as they are extremely rare.
The GIA Diamond Clarity Scale contains a total of 11 grades which are separated into 6 main categories:
- Flawless (FL) - No imperfections are visible under 10× magnification. Extremely rare.
- Internally Flawless (IF) - No inclusions (internal imperfections) visible under 10× magnification.
- Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) - Very minor imperfections are extremely difficult to see under 10× magnification.
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) - Imperfections can be challenging to see under 10x magnification.
- Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) – Imperfections are visible under 10x magnification.
- Included (I1, I2, and I3) – Imperfections are obvious under 10x magnification and often, to the naked eye.
CARAT WEIGHT
‘Carat’ refers to the weight of the diamond, not the size. One carat equals 200 milligrams. For precision, each carat is comprised of 100 points - for instance, there are 50 points in a half-carat diamond. On some occasions, you may hear a diamond’s weight verbally expressed solely in points (eg ‘a fifty pointer’).
As larger diamonds are more challenging to source, the price of a diamond increases as the carat weight increases. However, it is important to note that carat weight alone does not determine price as colour, clarity and cut are also important determining factors.
