A diamond’s value is dependent on its intrinsic qualities, which are what we know as the 4Cs - Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut. This has been adopted as an industry standard which is widely used in the grading of a diamond.
The color description of a diamond in actuality describes the degree of absence of color in a diamond. A purer, and thus more valuable diamond, would be colorless, while a diamond with a tint would be comparatively less valuable. In the gemological laboratories, to grade the color of a diamond, the stone analysed under controlled lighting conditions against benchmarks to determine the stone’s color. The color of a diamond is measured on the color grading scale, which ranges from D to Z.
Click here for a more comprehensive diamond colour guide.
During a diamond’s formation process, internal characteristics known as ‘inclusions’ and external characteristics known as ‘blemishes’ can be imparted. These characteristics would affect the clarity grade of a diamond.
To examine these characteristics, the diamond grader analyzes the diamonds under magnification and plots out the position of these inclusions and blemishes (if any). There are various evaluation criterions involved in the determination of the clarity grade of a diamond, including the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics and how they affect the overall appearance of the diamond. For example, a diamond with an inclusion that appears close to the center of the crown would result in a lower clarity grade than another with a similar inclusion that is positioned nearer to the girdle of the diamond, all else being equal.
Although the differences in clarity grades may look similar to the naked eye, the value of two diamonds with different clarity grades can diverge greatly. A dubious jeweller could instead use terms such as ‘piqué’ or ‘loupe clean’ to hide the actual quality of the stone. Hence, it is important to be informed and to demand the usage of the standard clarity grading scale instead.
A diamond’s cut affects its ability to interact with light and is the only attribute of the 4Cs that is not naturally occurring. Instead, this attribute tests a craftsman’s skill in cutting a diamond to perfection. Good craftsmanship imparts perfect proportion, symmetry and polish, maximising the brilliance and hence the aesthetic appearance of the diamond.
Many would note that among the 4Cs, the cut of a diamond is the most crucial. That being said, the grading of a diamond’s cut is also the most complex and difficult to grade. The grading of a cut takes into account the design as well as the craftsmanship of the diamond. There are multiple factors that are considered including the girdle thickness, ratio of average table size to average girdle diameter and many other measurements.
A diamond can be graded into one of the five diamond cut grades, ranging from excellent (EX), very good (VG), good, fair to poor. A well cut diamond will maximize its interaction with light to create desirable visual characteristics such as brightness, fire and scintillation or simply put, a diamond’s sparkle.
Due to the fact that larger diamonds are much rarer than smaller stones, the price of a diamond increases more than proportionately to its carat. While the carat of a diamond plays a significant role in the determination of its overall price, it is important not to overlook the other three grading standards - color, clarity and cut.
A carat is a unit of measurement used to determine the weight of a diamond and is the equivalent of 0.2 metric grams. It is commonly mistaken for the size of a diamond which is what people care about, but it is an understandable mistake as size increases with weight.
'Custom' is The Better Diamond's fifth 'C', and we take pride in our ability to provide our clients with a personalised and exceptional experience that goes beyond the traditional 4C's.
The Better Experience is your avenue that allows you to embark on a truly personalized journey. At The Better Diamond, we understand the importance of self-expression and the desire to create something extraordinary. Our custom design service empowers you to bring your unique vision to life, ensuring that every detail is tailored to your desires. From engagement rings that symbolize your love story to exquisite pieces that reflect your individual style, our specialists will collaborate with you every step of the way. With our guidance and expertise, you can transform your dreams into a tangible reality, resulting in one-of-a-kind keepsakes that encapsulates your personality and embodies your cherished moments. Immerse yourself in the exhilarating world of custom design at The Better Diamond and craft a jewelry piece that is as exceptional as you are.
The color description of a diamond in actuality describes the degree of absence of color in a diamond. A purer, and thus more valuable diamond, would be colorless, while a diamond with a tint would be comparatively less valuable. In the gemological laboratories, to grade the color of a diamond, the stone analysed under controlled lighting conditions against benchmarks to determine the stone’s color. The color of a diamond is measured on the color grading scale, which ranges from D to Z.
Click here for a more comprehensive diamond colour guide.
During a diamond’s formation process, internal characteristics known as ‘inclusions’ and external characteristics known as ‘blemishes’ can be imparted. These characteristics would affect the clarity grade of a diamond.
To examine these characteristics, the diamond grader analyzes the diamonds under magnification and plots out the position of these inclusions and blemishes (if any). There are various evaluation criterions involved in the determination of the clarity grade of a diamond, including the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics and how they affect the overall appearance of the diamond. For example, a diamond with an inclusion that appears close to the center of the crown would result in a lower clarity grade than another with a similar inclusion that is positioned nearer to the girdle of the diamond, all else being equal.
Although the differences in clarity grades may look similar to the naked eye, the value of two diamonds with different clarity grades can diverge greatly. A dubious jeweller could instead use terms such as ‘piqué’ or ‘loupe clean’ to hide the actual quality of the stone. Hence, it is important to be informed and to demand the usage of the standard clarity grading scale instead.
A diamond’s cut affects its ability to interact with light and is the only attribute of the 4Cs that is not naturally occurring. Instead, this attribute tests a craftsman’s skill in cutting a diamond to perfection. Good craftsmanship imparts perfect proportion, symmetry and polish, maximising the brilliance and hence the aesthetic appearance of the diamond.
Many would note that among the 4Cs, the cut of a diamond is the most crucial. That being said, the grading of a diamond’s cut is also the most complex and difficult to grade. The grading of a cut takes into account the design as well as the craftsmanship of the diamond. There are multiple factors that are considered including the girdle thickness, ratio of average table size to average girdle diameter and many other measurements.
A diamond can be graded into one of the five diamond cut grades, ranging from excellent (EX), very good (VG), good, fair to poor. A well cut diamond will maximize its interaction with light to create desirable visual characteristics such as brightness, fire and scintillation or simply put, a diamond’s sparkle.
A carat is a unit of measurement used to determine the weight of a diamond and is the equivalent of 0.2 metric grams. It is commonly mistaken for the size of a diamond which is what people care about, but it is an understandable mistake as size increases with weight.
Due to the fact that larger diamonds are much rarer than smaller stones, the price of a diamond increases more than proportionately to its carat. While the carat of a diamond plays a significant role in the determination of its overall price, it is important not to overlook the other three grading standards - color, clarity and cut.
'Custom' is The Better Diamond's fifth 'C', and we take pride in our ability to provide our clients with a personalised and exceptional experience that goes beyond the traditional 4C's.
The Better Experience is your avenue that allows you to embark on a truly personalized journey. At The Better Diamond, we understand the importance of self-expression and the desire to create something extraordinary. Our custom design service empowers you to bring your unique vision to life, ensuring that every detail is tailored to your desires. From engagement rings that symbolize your love story to exquisite pieces that reflect your individual style, our specialists will collaborate with you every step of the way. With our guidance and expertise, you can transform your dreams into a tangible reality, resulting in one-of-a-kind keepsakes that encapsulates your personality and embodies your cherished moments. Immerse yourself in the exhilarating world of custom design at The Better Diamond and craft a jewelry piece that is as exceptional as you are.
