About Diamond

4C Instruction

We address the 4 C’s of diamonds (carat, cut, color and clarity) and beyond so you can make a prudent diamond buying decision, while maximizing your diamond’s appearance and value. Diamonds are considered the world's most precious gemstone.

They are traditionally used for engagement rings and other jewelry as a symbol of love and commitment. Buying a diamond is an important personal, financial and emotional decision. Our gemologists are experts on the subject and provide invaluable guidance so you can shop with confidence in a pressure free environment.

Cut

The cut is a measure of light performance as light hits a diamond. Before a diamond is cut and polished, it is known as a rough diamond. The skin of the rough diamond is opaque and often difficult to see through. Rough diamonds have little to no sparkle.

This is because they lack facets or faces that bounce and reflect light. Diamonds sparkle is a result of light performance. As light hits a diamond, it penetrates the diamond, bounces around and reflects within the diamond and ultimately returns light to your eye. That is the sparkle that you see.The cutting of a diamond directly impacts the amount of light performance achieved. The angles, locations, sizes and shapes of facets will determine the diamond sparkle.

Clarity

Clarity is one of the “4Cs” that determines the final value of the stone. It is classified in degrees, many of which are not visible to the naked eye and require a ten-magnification lens that only a gemologist knows correctly to use.
The clarity grades are divided into 11 subdivisions established through an international scientific agreement. These characteristics concern the perfection of the crystal both inside and outside. They have a decisive influence on the rarity of the stone and therefore on its price.
Stains: are represented by scratches, veins or indentations include surface features such as scratches and indentations. Sometimes these can be easily removed by polishing the Diamond.
Inclusions: they are represented by internal characteristics detectable by a gemologist with a 10 magnification lens, sometimes with the presence of small infinitesimal feathers and/or gaseous or mineral crystals, other times with clearly visible streaks even with the naked eye.

FL- Flawless - Free from all inclusions or blemishes at 10x magnification. ‍

IF - Internally Flawless - No inclusions visible at 10x but will have insignificant surface blemishes only. ‍ ‍
VVS - Very Very Slightly Included 1 - Minuteinclusions that are extremely difficult to see at 10x. ‍ ‍

VVS2, - Very Very Slightly Included 2- Minute inclusions that are very difficult to see at 10x. ‍ ‍

VS - Very Slightly Included 1 - Minor inclusions that are difficult to see face-up at 10x. ‍ ‍

VS2 - Very Slightly Included 2 - Minor inclusions that are somewhat easy to see face-up at 10x. ‍ ‍

SI - Slightly Included 1- Noticeable inclusions that are easy to see at 10x. ‍ ‍

SI2 - Slightly Included 2 - Noticeableinclusions that is very easy to see at 10x. They may also barely eye visible in larger stones or in smaller stones through the pavilion. ‍ ‍

I1 - Included 1 - Obvious inclusions at 10x and visible to the unaided eye. ‍ ‍

I2 - Included 2 - Obvious inclusions at 10xand easily visible to the unaided eye and they may pose a durability issue. ‍ ‍

I3 - Included 3 - Prominent inclusions that are extremely easy to see with the unaided eye and usually will affect the durability.

Carat

The Carat corresponds to the weight of the diamond and therefore also to its size. ‍
The carat corresponds to 200 milligrams. In fact, diamonds are weighed and certified to the hundredth of a carat with special sensitive electronic scales. ‍
Then there is the Emerald cut of rectangular shape with rounded corners, as well as the square or heart-shaped, or baguette or oval. ‍
The name carat is said to refer to the seed of the carob tree which by nature is always produced in identical specimens and which in the Indies was precisely used for weighing precious stones. ‍
For obvious understandable reasons the diamond of greater weight and therefore of greater size has in itself an increase significantly higher degree of rarity which then determines its value.

Color

The diamond color indicates the absence or presence of other chemical elements that could give the stone a series of yellow shades.

Diamonds consist of a crystal framework of carbon atoms that are colorless without the inclusion of other minerals. Therefore, exposure to other materials can create different colors ranging from green to pink to red. Black diamonds indicate large graphite inclusions.

• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• KZ

D Color Diamonds (Absolutely Colorless)

D Colored Diamonds belong to the rarest category, defined as "absolutely colorless" — a crystal made up of pure carbon atoms without any external presence. The maximum expression of nature in the mineral field, no matter the shape and cut selected. A wonder of whose market price can take on significant levels.

A Diamond color that bears a polar white glow.

E Color Diamonds (Colorless)

E Colored Diamonds are rare and colorless minerals, such as those classified as "D". Their difference is almost impossible to see with the naked eye; what can only see them with sophisticated tools or by comparison.

These diamonds have reflections like polar ice.

F Color Diamonds (Colorless)

F colored diamonds are of very high quality and are colorless minerals. Therefore, a gemologist can only detect the slightest color differences between diamonds of color"D, E, and F".

These diamonds are the most popular to be mounted on white gold or platinum settings.

G Color Diamonds (Near Colorless)

G colored diamonds have a very slight yellow tinge, compared to the first color categories, "D, E, and F". However, this difference is difficult to detect without higher quality diamonds placed side by side.

80% of buyers focus on this type of color.

H Color Diamonds (Near Colorless)

H Colored diamonds have a very slight yellow shade, not easily noticed from Diamonds of color "G".

Only a trained eye can see the difference between the color "G and H".

I Color Diamonds (Near Colorless)

I Colored diamonds have the advantage of having an excellent commercial price and superb brilliance. The nuance on the yellow is more emphasized than the color "H".

It is a prevalent color, and in general, it is estimated that many diamond buyers buy this color category.

J Color Diamonds (Near Colorless)

J colored diamonds look very good for their luster, even if their yellow shade is more pronounced than the "I" diamonds. Unfortunately, this feature is not visible to the naked eye except by comparing it side by side with colorless diamonds.

K - Z Color Diamonds (Faint to Light Color)

K and Z colored diamonds have a strong influence of nitrogen in their crystalline structure. They, therefore, bring with them colors ranging from yellow to intense yellow.

This feature does not make them Fancies Diamonds as these exceptional diamonds have their own color scale.

Diamond Shape

The rough diamond is finished in various types of cut, such as to be different in shape but with the sole objective of exploiting the qualities of refraction and therefore brightness and brilliance.
If round it is said Brilliant cut that with its 57/58 facets if performed symmetrically, according to previously unknown and therefore perfect mathematical criteria, is absolutely the one that best highlights the characteristics of this mineral, the hardest in the Mhos scale and that it comes from the millennia spent in the bowels of the earth.
Then there is the Emerald cut of rectangular shape with rounded corners, as well as the square or heart-shaped, or baguette or oval.
All variants highlight the skill of diamond cutters who have the heavy role of knowing how to transform a rough stone into a highly effective light beam.

GIA Certificate

A GIA Diamond is a diamond certified by the Gemological Institute of America, the World's foremost authority in independent third-party diamond certification. GIA diamonds are examined by a minimum of four highly trained diamond graders and gemologists. At each step of a diamond's evaluation, a more senior staff member independently grades the stone.

The GIA's mission is to increase consumers' trust in diamonds and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. They work toward this goal by providing jeweler and consumer education, conducting meticulous research, and developing state-of-the-art laboratory instruments for diamond inspections.

AGS Certificate

Since 1943, the American Gem Society (AGS) has demonstrated a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in the diamond and jewelry industry. Driven by a goal to provide premium education for jewelry professionals and consumers, the society offers courses to all segments of the diamond industry. The AGS established a laboratory in 1996 to provide modern grading services for the diamond market.

Its conservative and unbiased approach to diamond grading has made the AGS one of the world's most respected gemological laboratories. Consequently, an AGS certificate guarantees an accurate analysis and evaluation of a diamond.

IGI Certificate

Established in 1975, the International Gemological Institute, or IGI, is the largest independent gemological laboratory in the world, with locations in all major diamond centers. IGI's mission is to provide jewelry professionals and consumers with extensive education programs and reliable diamond and fine jewelry certification.

An IGI certificate is comprised of a detailed analysis of a diamond's characteristics by several expert gemologists.

EGL Certificate

The European Gemological Laboratory, or EGL, was founded in Belgium more than 30 years ago. EGL is committed to protecting the integrity of the jewelry trade and promoting public interest through applied science, innovation, education, and exceptional service. The laboratory is credited with introducing new approaches to diamond grading and conducting advanced research with physicists, geologists, and mineralogists. An EGL certificate is a valued document that aids consumers in the diamond buying process and is the result of thorough scrutiny of a diamond.

HRD Certificate

The Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD), translated as "Diamond High Council", was established in Antwerp in 1973 as the European counterpart to the GIA. Representing the global diamond trade to public governments and diamond organizations, HRD monitors and reports the import and export of over half of the world's loose diamonds.

HRD is at the forefront of advanced research and education in the diamond industry. Based on internationally accepted standards, an HRD diamond certificate is highly regarded among jewelers and consumers.