Choosing a Diamond
Finding the perfect diamond can be a fun and rewarding experience with the help of a trusted advisor. While the 4 C’s discussed below are important, we also want to help you balance what fits with your lifestyle and budget. The options can seem overwhelming but don’t worry, we got you! We promise to make things simple and help you arrive at a great decision. Are you ready to get started?
The quality (and price) of a diamond is determined by many factors, but the most common and important ones are what are known as the 4 C’s:
1. Carat Weight
2. Cut
3. Clarity
4. Colour
1. Carat Weight
Most people assume that carat weight refers to the size of the diamond. As the name suggests, carat weight is a measurement of weight, not size. This means that every 1.00 carat diamond will not be exactly the same size. If you are comparing two diamonds, review the measurements of each. In this way, you can easily determine which will visually look bigger to the naked eye.
2. Cut
Cut is one of the most crucial and complex pieces of the puzzle in determining the quality and therefore the price of a diamond. Cut can be broken down into two categories:
Shape:
The overall shape of your perfect diamond is an aesthetic choice. The illustration below shows some cuts (or shapes) for you to choose from:
How well it is cut:
No matter what shape you choose, how well a diamond is cut will determine how much sparkle, brilliance, fire and scintillation are reflected back to your eye. This is where your trusted advisor at Perrara can help. We will walk you through what the cut of each diamond you are considering is and how it equates to the value or price of that particular diamond.
The illustration below shows several depths of a traditional round brilliant cut and how this affects the light moving through it. A well-cut diamond will have the maximum amount of light reflecting back to your eye.
3. Colour
Diamonds come out of the earth in a multitude of colours, including vivid pinks, warm chocolates and crisp blues. However, the most common colours are clear (or white) to yellow. Diamonds in this range are graded on an alphabetical scale starting with D and continuing to Z (D being the clearest diamond lacking in any tint of colour). The clearest diamond will have the most value, and therefore the highest price tag. The illustration below shows this colour chart in more detail:
4. Clarity
The last (but not least!) C is clarity. Clarity refers to the flaws (also known as inclusions) inside a diamond. Flaws or imperfections are graded based on their size, amount, type and relief (or how visible they are). These factors will significantly affect the grading and pricing of a diamond. Below is the chart that an experienced diamond grader will use to determine the clarity of a diamond:
In Summary
It is crucial to note that all diamonds are different – like snowflakes or fingerprints. Each one will hold unique characteristics, but the truly important part is which factors are important to you. We promise to take the time to help you make the perfect decision and explain other resources (like GIA certification & laser inscriptions) that can help give you peace of mind in this most important purchase. Contact us today to book your appointment!
Choosing an Engagement Ring at Perrara
Choosing the right engagement ring doesn’t have to be stressful. At Perrara, our expert consultants can help you find the perfect engagement for your loved one, and within your budget. Book a consultation below!