The 4C's (Carat, Colour, Clarity & Cut) and beyond
The 4 C’s are a set of grading parameters used to determine the appearance, quality and value of any diamond. They were created by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and are used as the global standard for every diamond around the globe. They
Diamond colour is an assessment of the natural coloured undertones present in a diamond, which naturally form from imperfections or trace elements in the diamond when it is growing. These are most commonly yellow to brown undertones, but diamonds can
Diamond clarity is an assessment of the natural imperfections - known as inclusions and blemishes - present in a diamond. The clarity grading of a diamond indicates the degree of the inclusions that are present, their position, and how easy they are
Carat is a measurement of the weight of any diamond. This is the primary factor that determines the value of a diamond. As the carat weight increases, the more rare the stone, and therefore the more valuable. Carat weight is given in a number to two
Diamond cut assesses how well the diamond cutter has taken a diamond rough and shaped all of the angles and facets of the diamond to create the beautiful stones that we see today. A diamond’s cut is one of the most important factors that affect how v
Fluorescence is the visible light some diamonds naturally emit when they are exposed to UV rays. It refers to the strength or intensity of the diamond's reactions to long-wave UV, which is an essential component of daylight. The light emitted lasts a
For all elongated diamond shapes, such as an oval, a natural part of this is the presence of a bow-tie effect through the middle of the stone. This is where the angled facets may not absorb or reflect the light most effectively, resulting in dark or
When we are trying to maximise the 'spread' of a diamond - that is, how large it appears on the hand - we can certainly look to prioritise stone size or dimensions of a particular diamond. Diamond carat is specifically a measurement of weight, so eve
Each diamond shape will have slightly different characteristics that are important to consider, to help ensure you achieve a stone that is both high-quality, and of course, beautiful to look at too. For most stones it is important to consider each of