The 4 C's of Diamonds
Cut, colour, clarity and carat weight make up the grading system by which we categorise diamonds, both natural and lab grown. We can’t control the colour and clarity, but how the diamond’s facets are cut and its final carat weight is down to the skill of the gem-cutter. A diamond is like a fingerprint, no two are ever the same. Buying a diamond can feel daunting, but it doesn't need to be! We've summarised all you need to know and we're always on hand to guide and advise you.
Diamond Cut
You might think of a diamond’s cut as the shape (round, emerald, cushion etc), but a diamond’s cut grade describes how well a diamond’s facets have been created and how they interact with light. No matter how bright and clear a diamond is, if it is not expertly cut it simply won’t sparkle optimally.
Only round brilliant cut diamonds are graded by cut and they range from ‘excellent’ to ‘poor’. A round diamond must also have the correct proportions (referred to as ‘ideal cut’), so that the light is refracted in a way that creates the ultimate brilliance. All our diamonds are ideal cut to guarantee you that all important sparkle factor,
When beginning your search, we encourage you to try on many different shapes, as not all shapes of diamonds suit everyone. Often our clients are surprised by how flattering a certain diamond shape is when they try it!
Diamond Colour
In our opinion, cut and colour are the two most important factors when buying a diamond. Colour is the most noticeable, followed by the sparkle! Diamonds are graded from D (colourless) to Z (tinted yellow), and the whiter the more pure.
Not only does a diamond sparkle more when it’s colourless but it has the ice-white appearance that you spot from afar. At The Diamond Expert, we only choose diamonds in the D-H colour range as we believe you deserve nothing less.
Some diamond cuts carry colour better than others, such as the emerald cut. With this cut, you can drop down in the colour to achieve a larger carat weight for example.
Clarity
As a diamond is being formed, other crystals and minerals may be present, and we call these inclusions. The less inclusions the better when it comes to choosing a beautiful diamond. We only work with certificated diamonds in the FL - SI1 range as we always want you to look at your diamond for it's beauty, not it's visible flaws.
FL - FL diamonds are Flawless
IF - IF diamonds are Internally Flawless (may have surface flaws)
VVS1 / VVS2 - VVS diamonds (1 and 2) are Very, Very Slightly Included
VS1 / VS2 - VS diamonds (1 and 2) are Very Slightly Included
SI1 / SI2 - SI diamonds (1 and 2) are Slightly Included
I1 I2 I3 - I diamonds (1, 2 and 3) are Imperfect
Carat Weight
The fourth C, carat - is a measurement of a diamond’s weight. This loosely translates to its size but all shapes of diamond face up differently due to their proportions.
For example, an oval shaped diamond is a more shallow cut and therefore will look bigger than a round cut diamond of the same carat weight due to the surface area.
A cushion cut is a deep cut of diamond, so it will face up smaller than another cut of the same weight as a lot of it's carat weight is in the underneath of the diamond.
Finding your perfect diamond is a skilful dance between finding the biggest and best diamond, and landing within your price range. We are experts at helping you achieve this. Our job is to get a very clear picture of what is most important to you and with our expertise, help find your perfect stone.
We will only ever give you the best market rates for your diamond. We do not pre-purchase diamonds and therefore will never be trying to sell you a particular stone just because it is in our stock. Our promise to you is exquisitely handmade fine jewellery at the best possible prices.
Our Policy on Conflict Diamonds
We source our diamonds solely from trusted suppliers who adhere to United Nations resolutions and are dedicated to keeping their diamonds free from any association with conflict. These reputable partners guarantee that their diamonds are conflict-free, enabling us to provide you with responsibly sourced gems.