Diamonds are not only a girls best friend but can also be a great investment. When shopping around for diamond jewellery, the most important points to remember in terms of quality are carat, clarity and colour.
You will also want to understand the different cuts that these sparkling precious stones are available in to understand which shape will best match your personal preferences.
The following guide will explore these vital points, so you can be sure to buy diamond jewellery that youll love forever.
Carat
A diamonds weight is measured in carats, with 1 carat being equivalent to 100 points. Large stones obviously tend to be more expensive, however the cut, colour and clarity of the gem will also play a large part in its value.
Clarity
Most diamonds have inclusions or flaws. These are often naked eye, however this factor will affect their value as well as the flow of light through the stone.
This is the grading system for the degree of flaws that affect the clarity of diamonds:
Flaws visible to the naked eye: I1 I3
Smaller flaws: SI1 SI2.
Very small flaws: VS1 VS2.
Very very small flaws: VVS1 VVs2
Rare diamonds with no flaws are graded FL (flawless) or IF (internally flawless).
Colour
Diamonds come in a wide range of colours and all have trace elements of yellow or brown inherent in them. Although traditionally colourless, deeply coloured diamonds like the brilliant canary yellow variety are often more expensive. These gemstones are known as Z+ diamonds - they are extremely rare and come in blue, green, red, pink and black hues.
Diamonds colours are graded on a scale that ranges from D (colourless) to Z (a light yellow). The colourless diamonds rated D, E and F are the best grade in their class, and the price tag will reflect this. It must be remembered however that a quality diamond will not simply have a top grade for colour, it must also have good clarity and cut to showcase its brilliance and sparkle.
Cut
Jewellers are capable of producing the most exquisite diamond designs, from the modern to the vintage or antique. Its important when choosing the right diamond jewellery to ensure that the gems beauty and brilliance is shown off to its maximum potential in terms of cut.
A diamond with fantastic colour and clarity may be reduced to having a dull appeal when not well cut quality gems reflect light wonderfully to emphasise their sparkle.
It must be pointed out that there is a difference between the cut and shape of a diamond. The cut is all about the facets and angles embedded in the diamond to best reflect light and brilliance, whereas the shape refers to the actual geometric form after the diamond artist has cut and polished the stone. Nevertheless, both the cut and shape of the final result are determined by a diamonds inherent, natural dimensions.
Most Popular Diamond Designs
Round or Brilliant Shape
This type of cut is considered one of the most sought-after is usually rather expensive. A round or brilliant shape is expertly cut with 58 facets, to show off the fire and brilliance of the diamond.
Oval Shape
The oval design has a brilliance similar to the round shape. It can be cut into various sizes and is usually 56 carats. It is the perfect choice for shorter fingers as the length of the stone tends to make your finger look longer and more slender.
Princess Shape
This is traditionally a square cut with pointed comers. Its exquisite and unusual shape makes it ideal for engagement rings, stud earrings and pendants. The diamond can also be cut into a rectangular shape, depending on the length to width ratio of the stone.
Marquise Shape
The marquise design features a beautiful elongated diamond with pointed ends. This shape can maximise the carat weight of the diamond, giving the appearance of a much larger stone. It is superb when mounted as a solitaire, or it can be enhanced when surrounded by smaller diamonds. In addition to rings, this cut is also exquisite as a pendent.
Pear Shape
This beautiful cut combines the best of the oval and marquise shaped diamonds and is a popular choice for those who are looking for a more unusual stone. It resembles a crystal teardrop, with one curved edge and one pointed edge. The pearl shape is highly suited for rings worn on smaller fingers.
Heart Shape
Put simply, the heart cut is a pear shaped diamond with a cleft top. For love and romance, this diamond says it all.
Emerald Shape
What makes this diamond different is the cut corners featuring rectangular or square facets. The shape is suited to those who are looking for a classic antique look.
Asscher Shape
A rare and stunning step-cut diamond, the asscher design has a square shape which is almost identical to the emerald design in fact it is also known as the square emerald cut. These diamond shapes have outstanding depth and classical beauty, making them ideal for vintage and antique jewellery.
Radiant Shape
This type of diamond shape can be cut square or rectangular, with or without trimmed edges. The radiant design contains 70 facets and the deep cuts enhance the fiery brilliance of the gems shape. It combines the classic elegance of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round diamond.
Cushion Shape
These diamonds have larger facets with rounded corners to highlight their exceptional brilliance and clarity. They can be either square or rectangular in cut and have a classical, romantic elegance. They were previously known as pillow cut or candlelight diamonds because of their soft, cushion-like shape and exquisite sparkle.
Conclusion
Now that you have a basic understanding of the most important factors that determine the quality and beauty of these gorgeous gemstones, you will better be able to choose
diamond jewellery that catches the eye for its excellence and brilliance.
