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Diamond Buying Guide

Diamond Buying Guide 

Buying diamonds is an exciting milestone, but it can be overwhelming. With knowledge and guidance, you can get the perfect piece that fits your budget. This guide will walk you through the diamond buying process, from understanding the language, and the cut of diamonds available, to knowing the difference between lab-grown and earth-grown diamonds.

Top Things to Consider When Buying a Diamond

• The Four C’s: Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat Weight
• Learn about the Different Diamond Shapes: There's a diamond shape to suit every style.
• Find Out About the Choice of Diamond Settings

The Four C's When Buying A Diamond

Carat

Carat (often abbreviated as 'ct') refers to the weight of a diamond and not its actual size. The larger the carat weight, the greater the diamond's value. Note, however, that two diamonds of the same carat weight can vastly differ in price due to the quality of their cut, color, and clarity.

What is a Carat?

One carat is equal to a fifth of a gram. A carat is divided into 100 points so a 50-point diamond is the same as a 0.50 carat diamond, which is the same as a half carat diamond.

Does Size Matter?

Don't confuse carat weight with visual size. A deep stone can have a smaller spread but still weigh 0.50 carat. The shallow, wide diamond will appear larger to the eye than the deeper stone. Similarly, some diamond shapes maximize carat weight: elongated diamond shapes, such as the emerald cut, tend to appear larger than round diamonds of the equivalent carat weight and quality of cut. Some jewelry settings enhance the diamond giving it the illusion of being larger than it is.

What Does Total Carat Weight Mean?

The carat weight stated for a piece of diamond jewelry with multiple stones is the total weight of all the diamonds in it. For example, in a pair of 0.25 carat diamond solitaire earrings, the two stones have a combined weight of 0.25 carat. If a diamond engagement ring has one central diamond surrounded by smaller stones, the carat weight quoted takes into account the entire collection of diamonds.

What Carat Weights Are Available?

Diamonds are often cut to popular standard diamond weights. In India, these are typically 0.25 carat (quarter carat), 0.33 carat (third carat), 0.50 carat (half carat), and 1.00 carat (one carat). Diamonds can be cut to just under these weights, such as 0.23 carat or 0.49 carat, if the cutter feels that this will maximize the rough stone's beauty. At CIAJewellery, we state the minimum carat weight of a diamond ring or a piece of jewelry so that you know you'll be buying a diamond of at least this weight.

Color

Color refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless. Diamonds are graded based on their color using a scale that ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The color of a diamond can significantly affect its value and appearance.

Diamond Color Grades:

• D, E, F (Colorless): These diamonds have no discernible color and are the most rare and valuable.
• G, H, I, J (Near Colorless): These diamonds have a slight hint of color, but it's typically not noticeable to the untrained eye.
• K, L, M (Faint): These diamonds have a noticeable yellow or brown tint but are still considered to be of good quality.
• N, O, P, Q, R (Very Light): These diamonds have a more obvious yellow or brown tint.
• S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z (Light): These diamonds have a significant amount of color and are typically less expensive.

Personal preference plays a significant role in the desirability of a diamond's color, as some people may prefer a slightly warmer or cooler tint in their diamond. At CIAJewellery, we only state diamond color grades on our certificated diamonds.

Cut

The cut of a diamond refers to how well the stone has been cut and shaped, including its proportions, symmetry, and polish. A well-cut diamond will reflect and refract light in a way that maximizes its brilliance, fire, and sparkle.

Key Elements of a Diamond's Cut:

• Proportions: The proportions of the diamond determine how well it reflects and refracts light. A well-proportioned diamond will have a good balance of light and dark areas and will maximize its brilliance and fire.
• Symmetry: The symmetry of a diamond refers to how well its facets (the flat surfaces on the diamond) align with one another. A diamond with good symmetry will appear more uniform and pleasing to the eye.
• Polish: The polish of a diamond refers to how well the facets have been finished and polished. A diamond with good polish will appear smooth and free of blemishes or scratches.
• Cut Grade: Many diamond grading laboratories use a cut grading system to evaluate the overall quality of a diamond's cut. This system takes into account the proportions, symmetry, and polish of the stone, as well as other factors such as the shape and depth of the diamond.

Clarity

Clarity refers to the presence of tiny natural imperfections that occur in most diamonds. These imperfections are known as inclusions. The fewer and smaller the inclusions, the greater the clarity.

What Are Inclusions?

Inclusions are most commonly crystals of a foreign material or another diamond, pockets of air, or structural cracks that formed within or on the outside of the diamond while it was beneath the earth’s surface. There are various types of inclusions, such as feathers, clouds, knots, needles, or crystals. Inclusions are affectionately known as nature’s fingerprints or birthmarks, as these marks make each diamond unique. While most aren’t visible to the naked eye, inclusions and blemishes can affect the flow of light through a diamond, diminishing its brilliance.

How Is Clarity Graded?

Clarity is determined by the size, number, location, orientation, nature, and overall visibility of the inclusions. When gemologists inspect diamonds for clarity, they use a single lens 10x magnifying glass (a loupe), and judge the visibility of inclusions from the top of the diamond.

• FL, IF - Flawless: No internal or external inclusions. Internally flawless – no internal inclusions but may contain surface graining which is not technically considered a flaw. Extremely rare and valuable. Also known on other grading scales as Loupe Clean.
• VVS1, VVS2 - Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see inclusions even by a trained eye using 10x magnification. VVS2 diamonds have slightly more inclusions than VVS1. Both an excellent grade diamond.
• VS1, VS2 - Very Slightly Included: Inclusions are difficult to see under 10x magnification unless pointed out by an expert and are not typically visible to the naked eye. VS2 diamonds have slightly more inclusions than VS1 diamonds. Good value for money as are less expensive than VVS1/2 diamonds but still eye-clean.
• SI1, SI2 - Slightly Included: Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification and may be visible to the naked eye. Depending on the positioning and nature of the inclusions, SI1 diamonds may appear eye-clean and therefore offer exceptional value.
• I1-I3 - Included: Inclusions are visible to the naked eye and become increasingly visible towards I3 clarity.

Diamond Shapes

Diamond shape is all-important when you're buying a piece of diamond jewelry and even more so when it comes to buying a diamond engagement ring in which the sparkling gem takes center stage. Every diamond shape has its own story and you should choose the shape that’s right for you and your story. Shape refers to the outline of the gem when viewed from above. All diamond shapes that are not round brilliant are known as fancy shapes. Fancy diamond shapes were developed to make the most of rough diamonds that didn't suit the classic round brilliant diamond.

Round Brilliant

As the most traditional and popular diamond shape, the round brilliant accounts for almost half of diamonds bought today. The round brilliant diamond is cut to a round at the top and a cone at its bottom. Of all the diamond shapes available, it yields maximum return of light and therefore the most brilliance.

Princess Cut

A princess cut diamond is a type of diamond cut that is square or rectangular in shape and has pointed corners. It is a relatively modern diamond cut, first created in the 1960s. The princess cut diamond has become one of the most popular diamond cuts for engagement rings and other jewelry.

Emerald Cut

An emerald cut diamond is a type of diamond cut that is characterized by its rectangular or square shape with truncated corners. This cut is named after the emerald gemstone, as it was originally used for emeralds, but it is now commonly used for diamonds as well.

Oval Diamonds

Like the round brilliant cut, the oval diamond usually has 58 facets in a symmetrical cut that maximizes the stone's brilliance. An oval diamond is therefore a fabulous choice if you want all the sparkle of the round brilliant diamond in a more unusual style.

Pear Shaped Diamonds

Also known as teardrop, the pear diamond has a brilliant cut which optimizes light reflection and combines the shape of an oval and marquise diamond. Made famous by Elizabeth Taylor, the pear is a popular shape for diamond pendants and diamond earrings.

Radiant Diamonds

Radiant diamonds can be square or rectangular and are distinguishable by cropped corners and 70 facets