Diamond Size, Carat, Cut, Colour Explained

Large diamonds definitely capture one's attention more than small diamonds. Size has always had a lot of focus when it comes to buying diamond jewellery, but there is actually a lot more to take into account than just the size or in the case of a diamond, the weight, which is measured in carats.

Colourless Diamond

Light Yellow Diamond

You see there is more to knowing diamonds than at first meets the eye, and while size is definitely an important factor determining the price, it is not necessarily most important because other factors need to be looked at as well.

If a high-quality stone that will hold its value and beauty is desired, consumers need to be mindful of a few other features before making a purchase. The true quality of a diamond is measured in ways that go beyond size to include:

1.Colour - This represents the predominate colouration of an individual diamond. When purchasing diamonds, consumers will find they are graded on a scale that runs from D to Z. Diamonds on the D end of the scale are considered colourless or near colourless. Those in the K to Z range are faint yellow to light yellow. Colourless diamonds, those graded D, E or F, are considered very rare. They tend to fetch the highest prices. Diamonds graded as G, H, I or J are near colourless and will offer a reduction in price over the true colourless options. G and H are the most popular grades for colours. On the other end of the spectrum, yellow diamonds are typically less expensive and not highly sought after. This changes, however, if the yellow is very evident and the diamond is considered a Z+ or Fancy grade.

Pear Cut Diamond

Princess Diamond

Round Cut Diamond

2. Cut - This is more than just the shape of the diamond. While commonly this refers to the shape such as "princess" or "round cut" or "pear cut" it can also refer to the quality of the design, which include the symmetry and the dimensions. The quality of a cut will affect how much sparkle and shine the diamond has: a better cut will have more sparkle and shine than a poor cut.

Diamond Clarity Table

3. Clarity - This refers to the imperfections found within a stone's internal structure. Diamonds that are considered internally flawless are graded IF. This grading is very rare and will fetch a much higher price than a diamond that has inclusions. The next ranges are VVS 1 and VVS 2. These diamonds only have slight inclusions and are also considered quite rare. VS 1 and VS 2 diamonds have inclusions that are not visible to the naked eye. SI quality diamonds have inclusions that are also slight and difficult to detect. They are graded SI 1-3. The SI 1 diamonds are among the most popular because their price is lower, but their beauty still shines through.

Buying a diamond for personal use or to give to a loved one is a big investment. While size does play an important role in pricing and appearance, it isn't the only factor to consider. Colour, cut and clarity should also be considered if a high-quality stone is desired.


Read also:
Update Your Evening Wear With Stunning Silver Jewellery
Do Silver Bangles Make A Good Gift?
Why Silver Jewelry Is Becoming More Popular
Six Must Know Tips Before Entering Your Local Jewelry Store