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DIAMOND GUIDE: DIAMOND TYPES, CUTS AND QUALITY
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COLOUR
Though diamonds come in a wide range of colours, colourless diamonds have traditionally been considered the most valuable. Most diamonds are graded on a scale using the letters of the alphabet, from D (colourless), the best grade, through Z (a light yellow). It is difficult for the untrained eye to notice such variations in colour unless stones are being compared side by side. Truly colourless diamonds (D) are admired for their beauty and rarity and are therefore more valuable than lower graded diamonds which are more widely available. The choice of preferred colour is purely down to personal taste.
The comparatively rare coloured diamonds are known as fancy colours and are also quite valuable. They range in hue from the more common yellow (also graded Z+ on the alphabetic scale) to pink, blue, green, red, and even black and white.
Diamonds that are graded D, E, and F tend to be the most expensive because of their rarity. However, any diamond you buy should have a good balance of cut, color, and clarity, so as to impart the most brilliance and dazzle possible.
Eternity Exclusive jewellery only carries/uses diamonds from D to J.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1480″ img_size=”full”][vc_single_image image=”1484″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1515338059659{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
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CUT
The cut of a diamond determines how it reflects light, which is responsible for its sparkle or brilliance and refers to the angles and proportions of the polished stone. A well-cut diamond is cut by a skilled professional to the best proportions possible so that light will be reflected from each of its mirror-like facets and disperse through its top. Too shallow a cut will let light escape through a diamond’s bottom, causing it to appear dull, while too deep a cut will allow light to be lost through a diamond’s sides, making it appear dark. It is the only one of the 4Cs that is not created naturally by Mother Earth, but is generated by the skill of an experienced craftsman. Cut is often also used in reference to the physical shape of a diamond.
Because a diamond with perfect colour and clarity could nevertheless have poor brilliance if it is not well cut, many gemologists consider this to be the most important property to note when choosing a diamond. Diamonds can carry cut grades of Excellent, Ideal, Very Good, Good, or Fair.
Excellent
Representing roughly the top 1% of diamond quality based on cut. The highest grades of polish and symmetry allow it to reflect even more light than the standard ideal cut.
Ideal
A diamond described as Ideal represents the highest standards of cut, with only the top 3% of all diamonds falling in this category. An Ideal Cut diamond reflects nearly all the light that enters it and displays maximum brilliance and fire. For those who want the very best that money can buy, this is the cut to choose.
Very Good
A diamond described as Very Good reflects nearly as much light as an Ideal cut diamond, and represents approximately the top 15% of diamonds based on cut. The proportions may overlap with many of the proportions of an Ideal cut, with slight variations from the preferred range that allow the cutter to create a larger stone. A diamond with a Very Good cut has exceptional brilliance and is generally priced slightly lower than an Ideal cut diamond.
Good
A diamond described as Good reflects most of the light that enters it, and is much less expensive than a Very Good cut. A diamond in this category represents roughly the top 25% of diamonds based on cut. Its proportions may vary from the preferred range because the cutter has opted to maximize the size of the stone rather than creating a smaller Very Good quality diamond. For those shopping on a budget, a diamond in this range offers good quality and excellent value.
Fair
A diamond described as Fair represents the top 35% of diamonds based on cut. Though it is still a quality cut, it reflects less light and displays less brilliance than a Good Cut diamond. Diamonds in this range are typically cut to maximize size over other factors.
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CLARITY
No two diamonds are the same. A diamond’s most distinguishing characteristics are its inclusions or marks that are often invisible to the naked eye. However, under a jeweller’s magnifying loupe or microscope they can look like crystals, tiny rivers, or clouds. A diamond’s clarity is determined by the presence or absence of inclusions–fewer inclusions mean better clarity–and how visible they are. The greater a diamond’s clarity, the greater its brilliance and value. A diamond categorised as internally flawless will have no inclusions, but this is extremely rare. Diamonds with very, very small inclusions are graded as VVS1 or VVS2. Those with larger inclusions appear lower down the grading skill. Diamonds with inclusions that are visible with the naked eye are graded I1 to I3.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1515338059659{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
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CARAT
Size is the most visible factor that determines the value of all diamond types. The price of the diamond rises exponentially depending on its size.
By definition, 1 carat is 200 milligram. Since most diamonds sold in the market weigh less than 1 carat, the carat is usually subdivided into “points”. There are 100 points in a single carat. So, a diamond weighing 3/4 carat would be a “75 point diamond”.
1 carat = 200 milligrams = 100 points.
Carat weight is not a factor that denotes diamond quality. While some of the other quality metrics have more bearing in the quality of specific types of diamonds, carat merely denotes the size of a diamond, by its weight. Diamonds of 0.50 – 0.75 carat are very popular for their size and value. Large diamonds are rarer to find in mines than small ones and thus large diamond types are much more valuable.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1512″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1515338059659{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
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SHAPE
The traditional round cut provides a combination of the best qualities a diamond can have. The symmetry of this shape means it is capable of reflecting nearly all of the light that enters it and it therefore has the greatest potential for exuding diamond hue and brilliance. There are also other shapes that can emphasise a diamond’s different features. The choice of a shape is best based on personal taste and the design of the jewellery.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1520″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1515338059659{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
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