DIAMOND HANDBOOK
THE 4C's
A Step Back to The Fundamentals
INTRODUCTION
It's a good idea to educate yourself about diamonds before choosing and purchasing one, so you'll know what traits contribute to its long-term beauty and value. While each diamond is a one-of-a-kind natural gem, there are some features that can be used to compare and appraise them. So, to make your diamond hunting process much easier, we broke down the specifics of the diamond into 4C's along with helpful tips on how to make the most of each feature.
CUT :
The first C of the 4C's is the Cut, the cut of a diamond is one of the most important factors of grading that determines its value on the basis of its shine and brilliance regardless of its final shape (round, princess, emerald, cushion, etc.).
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CLARITY :
The clarity of a diamond is determined by the presence of minor imperfections (both internally and externally) such as blemishes and inclusions that are difficult to detect with the naked eye and, which in the case of a Flawless Diamond is absent.
COLOR :
Contrary to popular belief, a diamond's color has less to do with its actual color and more to do with its colorlessness, as the more colorless your diamond is, the greater its worth and quality.
CARAT :
To put it simply, the term carat relates to the diamond as the unit of measurement for the physical weight of diamonds rather than the size.
SHAPE :
The shape of a diamond refers to the geometric appearance of a diamond, which accounts for the price and quality grade based on how light is reflected and refracted in a particular cut.
CERTIFICATION :
A diamond's Certification or Grading Report contains unbiased information and grades regarding each of its characteristics based on the 4C's -- carat weight, color, clarity, and cut quality.
QUALITY :
At XYZ we deal with only the best quality diamonds. Our loose diamonds are graded on a standardized grading scale for cut, color, and clarity. Each loose diamond is also accompanied by a grade report from one of three independent diamond grading labs: GIA (other to be added - if any) all of which follow strict grading and certification requirements.
BUYING GUIDE A CHEAT SHEET TO SMART BUYING
TIP 1 - BUDGET IN A WAY THAT WORKS FOR YOU.
Now you can let go of your traditional norm of saving your salary for an engagement ring, as we've got an array of engagement rings selections to suit every style and budget.
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TIP 2 - MASTER THE 4CS: CUT, CLARITY, COLOR AND CARAT.
Understanding the 4C's is essential for making the most of the sparkle for your money. You can always chat, contact, or email our diamond and jewellery experts when in doubt. They're experts at distinguishing fact from fiction and guiding you through every step of the process.
TIP 3 - CHASE THE CUT
The most significant of the four Cs is Cut: the better the cut, the more dazzling your diamond will be.
TIP 4 - KEEP AN EYE ON CLARITY
The imperfections in most diamonds are so small that they can only be detected under 10x magnification. SI grades, for example, aren't perfect yet appear to be so to the human eye.
Here are a few tips to choose Clarity Diamonds according to your Budget
- The clarity scale ranges from FL (flawless) to SI1 &SI2 (Slightly Included)
- Choose a clarity grade of VS1 or greater to ensure that the inclusions are not noticeable to naked eye.
- If your diamond weighs less than two carats, choose VS2 clarity.
TIP 5 - CONSIDER NEAR-COLORLESS DIAMONDS INSTEAD OF THE ABSOLUTELY COLORLESS.
The Diamonds with that absence of color are actually the rarest, thus making them the most expensive of all the color grades. Hence you can go with a beautiful near-colorless grade to make the most of your budget and allocate more on the best cut that you can afford, which can make it more sparkling.
TIP 6 - WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS OF LARGER CARAT WEIGHTS.
While you may have a specific carat weight in mind, bigger isn't always better. Is it important that the diamond you purchase has a particular carat weight, or would you be satisfied with a diamond that "reads" that weight? You See Carat refers to weight rather than size. The carat weight of a diamond is determined by the size of the finger, the size of the setting, and the shape of the diamond.
TIP 7 - CHECK OUT FANCY-SHAPED DIAMONDS.
Although round brilliant diamonds are our most popular, you don't have to limit yourself to that shape. All diamonds other than round are known as "Fancies" which might appear larger and cost less
Why are rounds more expensive than squares? It's difficult, but at the end of the day, it all boils down to established cutting standards. Round shape diamonds are the only shapes that come with GIA-designated cut parameters. There are strict requirements for fancy as well, but they were set by our expert craftspeople rather than the GIA.
TIP 8 - BUY SHY TO SAVE BIG.
In terms of carat and half-carat, diamond prices jump significantly. Stretching your money by buying just short of those weights is a great way to get the most of your budget.
For example, Generally, there is not much of a visual difference between 0.90 cents and 1.0 carats.
TIP 9 - VERIFY DIAMOND CERTIFICATE.
A major purchase like diamonds is a major investment, so of course you want to be sure that what you're buying is authentic, natural and conflict-free.
- The Natural diamonds of the highest quality here are always independently certified.
- Ensure that your diamond comes with a GIA grading report (Gemological Institute of America)
TIP 10 - ALWAYS TRUST YOUR PURCHASE INSTINCTS.
When you choose a gem. It must speak to you and emanate a feeling of happiness and excitement like it's only made for her, leaving you with no regrets, as Your confidence will radiate when you propose with a ring you know she'll love.