Diamond Buying Guide

When you are considering purchasing a diamond, there are four important characteristics to define the quality of a diamond, namely:

  • Cut
  • Colour
  • Clarity
  • Carat

1. Cut

A perfect cut of a diamond defines the proportion and facets that determine the stone’s light performance, how shiny and reflective it is. It is regarded as the most important factor as it determines the sparkle of the stone.

2. Colour

The second most important factor is the colour of the diamond. The colour is graded on a colour scale starting with colour D to colour Z. The whiter it appears, the more valuable the diamond is regarded to be. The colour ranges from a colourless white (Colour D) to a light yellow colour (Colour Z).

3. Clarity

Clarity determines how clear the diamond is. The clarity scale rates the diamond quality from FL (Flawless) to Included (I). Below are the specifications of the clarity scale:

  • Flawless (FL) Zero inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification
  • Internally Flawless (IF) Zero inclusions visible under 10x magnification
  • Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2) Inclusions are small that they are difficult for a high skilled diamond grader to see under 10x magnification
  • Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2) Some inclusions are seen with effort under 10x magnification, but they are subtle and minor
  • Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2) Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification
  • Included (I1, I2, & I3) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification which might affect the shine and brilliance of the diamond.

4. Carat

Think of diamonds, think of carats. In fact, generally the carat is the first thing people enquire about.

However, the carat is the most misunderstood characteristic of the 4Cs: carat, cut, clarity and colour.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to carat is that while many people believe it refers to size, it actually refers to the weight. Today, a carat weighs 0.2 grams and the number of carats is based on a point system. One hundred points equals one carat. The use of a point system allows jewellers and valuers to give a more precise weight. Diamond carat is not necessarily reflected in size; while a stone may appear larger, it may weigh less so it will be less carats.

Gemstone Buying Guide

Buying a gemstone is often a very different experience than buying a diamond. Gemstones are bought based on favourite colours, wardrobe matches, personality, and fashion trends. While gemstones are judged using the 4Cs, just as diamonds do, each is judged separately. For example, a sapphire is compared to another sapphire, but wouldn't be compared to an emerald or aquamarine. Choose your gemstone jewellery based on your personal preferences.

Colour & Clarity

Gemstone colour is different from judging the colour of a diamond. Every gemstone has a range of colour that runs from light to dark and more vivid to less vivid, with a small range of colour considered preferable. All of the families of colour are represented by gems of different types.

Gems also have internal characteristics called inclusions. Some gemstones are known for having many inclusions like emerald or for having few inclusions like citrine. Each gemstone will be graded for clarity differently.

Like diamonds, gemstones are measured using carats. A carat is equivalent to .2 grams or .007 of an ounce. Unlike diamonds, each gemstone has a different density, which determines its weight versus its measured size. A one carat citrine won’t measure the same as a one carat sapphire.

Birthstones