DIAMONDS:

Beautiful | Rare | Cherished. Diamonds are formed when carbon atoms bond under immense heat and pressure, gradually growing into crystals. Each diamond is a unique creation — a true miracle of time, place, and transformation — with distinct qualities that define its value. To standardize these qualities, GIA introduced the world’s first grading system: the 4Cs — Colour, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight. Today, the 4Cs remain the universal benchmark for evaluating the quality of every diamond worldwide.

 

THE 4C's:

Diamond Colour-

Colour is one of the key 4Cs used to grade and evaluate diamonds. In white diamonds, those with higher colour grades (D, E, F – Colourless) are the most valuable, while lower grades such as J, K, and M are more affordable. Near-colourless diamonds, particularly in the G and H range, are also highly regarded for their quality and beauty.

Diamond Cut-

The cut is often considered the most important of the 4Cs when purchasing a diamond — and it should not be confused with shape. Cut refers to how well a diamond interacts with light, creating the brilliance and sparkle we see. Simply put, the quality of the cut determines how light enters the stone, reflects within it, and returns to the eye.

A well-cut diamond allows light to travel through the stone, reflecting from side to side before exiting, creating exceptional brilliance. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed a grading system to evaluate cut quality, ranging from Excellent to Poor:

  • Excellent: Exceptional brilliance and scintillation, with a balanced pattern of light and dark areas.

  • Very Good: High brilliance and scintillation, though some areas may appear slightly darker along the edges or centre.

  • Good: Moderate brilliance, with noticeable dark areas or uneven light return.

  • Fair: Limited sparkle and brilliance due to less effective proportions.

  • Poor: Minimal brilliance and scintillation, with proportions that prevent proper light reflection.

Diamond Carat-

Carat is the standard unit of weight used to measure diamonds. The term originates from the Greek word for carob seeds, which were once used as a consistent weight reference in trading. Today, one carat equals 0.2 grams — roughly the weight of a paperclip — and is divided into 100 points. While carat refers strictly to weight (not size), it is one of the most common terms you’ll encounter when shopping for diamonds, alongside other important features such as cut, colour, and clarity.


Diamond Clarity-

Clarity refers to the presence of natural characteristics within or on the surface of a diamond. These can be external blemishes (such as scratches or chips) or internal inclusions (such as crystals or feathers). The fewer the flaws, the higher the clarity grade. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses the following clarity scale:

  • Flawless (FL): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. The highest clarity grade.

  • Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions and only minimal surface blemishes visible under 10x magnification.

  • Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2): Inclusions are extremely difficult to see even under magnification. Considered an excellent clarity grade.

  • Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2): Minor inclusions that are difficult to detect. Both are eye-clean, with VS1 regarded as investment quality and VS2 offering strong value.

  • Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2): Inclusions are noticeable under magnification, though SI1 diamonds (especially under 1 carat) are often eye-clean. SI2 quality varies — some appear clean to the eye, others may not.

  • Included (I1, I2, I3): Obvious inclusions visible to the naked eye. These can affect brilliance and durability, with I1 sometimes acceptable for tighter budgets, while I2/I3 are less desirable.

In short: clarity impacts both the appearance and value of a diamond. Many VS and SI grade diamonds offer an excellent balance of beauty and affordability, appearing eye-clean while costing less than higher grades.