Diamond Knowledge

DIAMONDS:

Beautiful | Rare | Cherished. Diamonds are formed when carbon atoms bond together under intense heat and pressure, gradually growing into crystals. Each diamond is unique — a true miracle of time, place, and transformation — with distinct qualities that define its value.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) established the first and now globally accepted standard for evaluating diamonds: the 4Cs — Colour, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight. Today, this universal method is recognized worldwide as the benchmark for assessing diamond quality.

THE 4C's:

Diamond Colour-

One of the key 4Cs in diamond grading is Colour. In white diamonds, those with higher colour grades (D, E, F — Colourless) are the most valuable and command higher prices. Diamonds graded G and H are considered Near Colourless and are also highly sought after for their exceptional quality, while lower grades such as J, K, and M display a faint tint and are more affordable options.

Diamond Cut-

Cut is often considered the most important of the 4Cs when purchasing a diamond — and it should not be mistaken for the diamond’s shape. The cut determines how well a diamond reflects light, which creates its brilliance.

A well-cut diamond allows light to enter, reflect from side to side within the stone, and then return through the top, producing the sparkle we see with the eye — known in diamond terminology as ‘brilliance.’

Below is an outline of the GIA cut grading system, explaining what sets an Excellent cut apart from Good or Fair cuts.

●Excellent grade: Exhibits outstanding brilliance and scintillation, with a balanced, even pattern of light and dark areas.

●Very good: Displays high brilliance and scintillation, though slight darkness may appear around the edges or centre. In some cases, strong brilliance may still receive a lower grade due to an uneven pattern.

●Good grade: Shows moderate brilliance with noticeable darkness and reduced scintillation. A diamond may fall into this grade due to weight ratio or an unbalanced pattern.

●Fair grade: Offers limited brilliance and scintillation, with visible darkness.

●Poor grade: Possesses very weak proportions, resulting in minimal brilliance and scintillation.

Diamond Carat-

Carat is the standard unit of weight used for diamonds. The term originates from the Greek word for carob seeds, which were once believed to have a consistent mass and were historically used as a reference in trading gemstones.

Today, one carat equals 0.2 grams — roughly the weight of a paperclip. Each carat is further divided into 100 points for precise measurement.

When shopping for a diamond, carat weight is one of the most commonly mentioned attributes, alongside other factors such as cut, colour, clarity, and shape.


Diamond Clarity-

The clarity grade of a diamond is determined by the number and nature of its natural flaws. These are generally of two types — blemishes (external imperfections such as chips or scratches) and inclusions (internal characteristics such as crystals or feathers).

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) defines diamond clarity using the following scale:

Flawless (FL): Diamonds with no visible blemishes or inclusions under 10x magnification — the rarest and highest clarity grade.

Internally Flawless or IF: Diamonds with no internal inclusions and only the slightest external blemishes. Considered one of the top clarity grades.

Very Very Slightly Included 1 or VVS1: An exceptionally high clarity grade where inclusions are nearly impossible to detect, even under 60–100x magnification.

Very Very Slightly Included 2 or VVS2: Also a very high clarity grade, with minute inclusions that remain invisible to the untrained eye and difficult to spot even with a jeweler’s loupe.

Very Slightly Included 1 or VS1: A high clarity grade where inclusions are extremely difficult to detect under magnification and invisible to the naked eye. VS1 diamonds are completely eye-clean and often considered investment grade, offering excellent value compared to VVS diamonds.
Very Slightly Included 2 or VS2: A quality clarity grade that balances beauty and value. VS2 diamonds are typically eye-clean, especially in stones under 2 carats, making them a popular choice for those seeking both quality and affordability.

Slightly Included 1 or SI1: A good clarity grade where inclusions are generally not visible to the naked eye, especially in diamonds around 1 carat. Many SI1 diamonds appear eye-clean, offering excellent value for buyers.
Slightly Included 2 or SI2: A variable clarity grade where some diamonds may appear eye-clean, while others show visible inclusions depending on their type and placement. For example, white feather-like inclusions may be less noticeable, while larger dark crystals can affect appearance.
Included 1-3 (I1, I2, I3): The lowest clarity grades on the GIA scale. Diamonds in this range have noticeable inclusions visible to the naked eye, which often diminish brilliance and fire. While I1 diamonds may still be an option for budget-conscious buyers, I2 and I3 typically show significant flaws that impact overall beauty and durability.