Understanding Diamonds
At Poet Robson, we simply can't get enough of diamonds. Their breathtaking brilliance and captivating allure never fail to bring joy both to our customers and to us. Their remarkable spark and irresistible twinkle have a way of lighting up any piece of jewelry. But have you ever wondered how these tiny treasures are formed?
Millions of years in the making, deep within the Earth, carbon atoms forged an extraordinary journey. Under immense heat and pressure over billions of years, they metamorphosed into the exquisite gem we know today as diamond. However, it wasn't until the volcanic eruptions that ascended diamonds and carried them upward through molten rock that they finally sparkled upon the Earth's surface. From the moment the first one was discovered, thousands of years ago in ancient India, diamonds have remained treasures beyond compare.
The 4C’s of Diamond
Choosing a diamond is an exciting step, and we understand you want to feel confident about your selection. But understanding and navigating the realm of diamonds can be daunting without proper guidance. That's where the 4C’s come in handy. The 4C’s – cut, color, clarity and carat, are your key to understanding a diamond’s beauty, quality and value. Considering these factors will help you find a diamond that sparkles brilliantly and fits your budget and taste perfectly.
The 4C’s of Diamonds is an industry standard, fundamental framework put forward by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1940s. It stands for cut, color, clarity and carat weight of a diamond. Each of these characteristics are graded and documented by professionals. As a universal scale to assess and determine the quality of diamonds, this framework allows enthusiasts and buyers alike to define, assess and appreciate diamonds with confidence and consciousness.
Cut
A diamond's cut is the artistry behind the stone’s proportions, facet arrangement and overall symmetry. These elements work together to influence how the stone interacts with light. The cut is one of the most important factors determining a diamond's brilliance, fire and sparkle. The quality of a diamond’s cut is graded on a scale from Excellent to Poor. So, the better the cut, the more valuable your diamond will be and the more beautifully it will dance with light.
Why is Cut Important?
The cut of a diamond considerably impacts the appearance of it, and it is what determines its fire, sparkle and brilliance. An expertly cut diamond will reflect more brilliant light, which is exactly what you expect from a diamond. If a diamond is poorly cut, it will seem much duller and lifeless to the eye. The cut grade can also show the quality of craftsmanship behind and how well it was designed. The quality of the cut also plays a critical role in a diamond's pricing. This is why it is crucial to understand what the cut is and how it can influence the brilliance, quality and value of a diamond.
Color
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) introduced a widely recognized, industry standard color grading scale which uses letters from D to Z. Each letter grade represents a specific range of color appearance. Diamonds with the highest color grade, D, appear completely colorless. As you move down the scale towards Z, faint yellow or brown tints become more noticeable. Although they are very difficult to notice with the naked eye, these slight color variations affect the price and overall quality of the stone significantly.
Why is Diamond Color Important?
Like the other elements of the 4C’s, color also has a crucial role affecting the quality and beauty of the diamond. A colorless diamond allows light to pass through more easily, which maximizes its brilliance and fire. The clearer and more colorless the diamond, the better it reflects light and sparks extra fancy. Colorless diamonds are extremely rare and more valuable, except for fancy-colored ones like red, pink or blue diamonds, which are even rarer. This rarity translates to a higher price tag, of course. That’s why color has a vital role in affecting a diamond’s appearance, quality, value and price and it’s definitely worth considering before buying one.
Clarity
Diamond clarity refers to its purity and how clear it naturally is. This implies the absence of tiny flaws known as inclusions within the stone and imperfections on its surface which are called blemishes. Clarity is graded on a scale ranging from Internally Flawless to Included, and it impacts a diamond's beauty and rarity.
Why is Clarity Important?
The inclusions and blemishes influence a diamond's look, quality and value just like the other elements of the 4C’s. Heavily included diamonds will come at a much more modest price, however they may not promise the same durability and brightness as less included ones do. They are most likely to appear duller and be prone to chipping. Those who are not included or those who have slight inclusions are rarer, more durable and therefore, more valuable. That’s why clarity is one of the influential factors determining a diamond’s quality, value, price and appearance.
Carat
Carat is simply how much a diamond weighs. A carat is defined as 200 milligrams. Each carat is subdivided into 100 ‘points.’ All else being equal, diamond price increases with diamond carat weight because larger diamonds are rarer and more desirable.
However, two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different values, and prices are dependent on the three other diamond 4C’s - Colour, Clarity, and Cut.
Why is Carat Important?
Among the 4C’s, carat is the one that has the biggest impact on the price. It’s a universally recognized measurement system that assesses the diamond’s value and determines its price and appearance. The higher the carat weight, the bigger the diamond. And bigger diamonds tend to be more noticeable and flashier, which is why they are more desirable and expensive. However, it's just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to picking out the perfect diamond. The balance of the 4C’s is the best way to make a smart and informed purchase.
Diamond Shapes
Diamonds sparkle in more ways than one. They come in a variety of geometric forms, referred to as shape and with each adding a distinct personality to the stone. Each diamond shape has its own unique set of requirements and technical considerations. The shape you choose can therefore dramatically affect the overall look and feel of your stone.
It’s important to note that the shape and cut are two different aspects. Cut describes how the facets are arranged on the inside of the diamond, which impacts its brilliance greatly. Shape, on the other hand, refers simply to its outline. The most popular choice is the round brilliant diamond that is known for its classic fire and sparkle. But there's a whole world of fancy shapes to explore, like emerald, oval, radiant or marquise.
Diamond Hardness and Durability
Diamonds rank a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale which is a recognized system for measuring mineral scratch resistance. This means no other natural material can scratch a diamond and only another diamond can match its brilliance and toughness. But hardness isn't the whole story, and the concept of durability goes beyond mere surface hardness. These gems have a specific internal structure that makes them somewhat susceptible to chipping. This is why proper care is still essential for maintaining their beauty.