Diamond Buying Guide
Purchasing a diamond is often a significant investment, both financially and emotionally. Whether you’re buying an engagement ring, a piece of jewelry, or an investment stone, it’s important to make an informed decision. This diamond buying guide will help you understand the key factors to consider when selecting a diamond.
Back to the Basics - The 4 Cs of a Diamond
let’s delve into the 4 C’s of diamonds in more detail:
1. Carat
Carat weight is the measure of a diamond’s size, and it’s often the first thing people consider when thinking about diamonds. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. However, carat weight alone doesn’t determine a diamond’s value. Larger diamonds are rarer and, therefore, more valuable, but the other three C’s also significantly influence a diamond’s overall appearance and price.
2. Cut:
The cut of a diamond refers to how well it has been shaped and faceted. It’s often considered the most crucial factor because a well-cut diamond will reflect light in a way that showcases its brilliance and fire. The cut is graded on a scale from Excellent to Poor, and it takes into account:
- Proportions: The relationship between the diamond’s various dimensions, including depth and table size.
- Symmetry: The precision of the diamond’s facets in relation to each other.
- Polish: The quality of the diamond’s surface, affects how smoothly light travels through it.
- Different diamond shapes can impact the cut quality and how light interacts with the stone. For example, a well-cut round diamond will exhibit the most brilliance.
Invest in the cut. It’s the ultimate diamond hack (you’ll not find it in the books). A beautifully cut diamond can make the color and clarity appear better than they are.
3. Color:
Diamond color is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (noticeable color). The less color a diamond has, the more valuable it is considered. Most diamonds used in jewelry are nearly colorless or have a faint yellow or brown tint that is often difficult to perceive with the naked eye. The differences in color grades can be quite subtle and might not be noticeable unless compared side by side.
As diamond size increases, colour becomes more noticeable. This is especially important to keep in mind if you are purchasing a diamond of two carats or greater. If you pick a slightly yellow colored diamond, you can pair it with a white gold or platinum band. The white gold will complement the yellow hue of your diamond, and they won’t clash with each other!
4. Clarity:
Clarity measures the presence of internal and external imperfections within a diamond. These imperfections are called inclusions and blemishes, respectively. Clarity is graded on a scale from Flawless (no visible imperfections under 10x magnification) to Included (imperfections visible to the naked eye). Keep in mind that many inclusions are microscopic and do not affect the diamond’s beauty or durability.
Some common clarity grades include:
- Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF): No internal inclusions visible under magnification.
- Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Inclusions are extremely difficult to see under magnification.
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): Inclusions are noticeable under magnification but are still quite difficult to see.
- Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): Inclusions are noticeable under magnification and may be visible to the naked eye in some cases.
- Included (I1, I2, and I3): Inclusions are visible to the naked eye and can impact the diamond’s beauty and durability.
Decoding Diamond Characteristics:
1. VVS (Very, Very Slightly Included):
VVS stands for “Very, Very Slightly Included.” It’s a clarity grade for diamonds and gemstones. Diamonds in the VVS category have only very tiny inclusions (internal flaws) that are extremely difficult to detect even under 10x magnification. VVS diamonds are highly valuable due to their exceptional clarity.
2. GHVS (Near-Colorless and Very, Very Slightly Included):
GHVS is a combination of two grading factors: “G” represents the diamond’s color grade, ranging from colorless (D) to faint yellow (Z), and “H” represents near-colorless. “VS” represents the clarity grade, indicating Very, Very Slightly Included. In summary, GHVS describes a diamond that is near-colorless and has very tiny inclusions that are challenging to see under magnification.
3. IJSI (Included and Slightly Included):
IJSI is another combination of grading factors. “I” typically signifies Included, indicating visible inclusions, and “S” signifies Slightly Included, suggesting minor inclusions that may be visible without magnification. This combination usually suggests lower clarity grades. The “J” and “SI” refer to the diamond’s color and clarity grades, respectively.
4. Lab-Grown Diamonds:
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are created in a laboratory environment using advanced technological processes that replicate the conditions under which natural diamonds form. They possess the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds have gained popularity due to their ethical and environmental considerations, as well as their typically lower price compared to mined diamonds.
The worth of lab-grown diamonds aligns with the dynamic market values during buyback.
Lab-grown diamonds match the natural diamond’s hardness level.
5. Moissanite:
Moissanite is a mineral that occurs naturally in small quantities but is often synthesized for use in jewelry. It’s known for its exceptional brilliance and fire, which are its ability to reflect light and disperse it into colorful flashes. Moissanite is sometimes used as an alternative to diamonds in jewelry because of its beauty and lower cost. While it shares some optical characteristics with diamonds, it has its own unique properties.
Moissanite diamonds are non-refundable, and no moneyback option is available for them.
Moissanite, boasting a hardness of 9.25-9.5 on the Mohs scale, is second only to diamonds, which hold a perfect 10 on this hardness spectrum.
At KaaWe, we exclusively employ DEF VVS quality lab-grown diamonds and moissanite in our offerings.
Certificate
The Certification is basically your diamond’s birth certificate. All our solitaire diamonds are meticulously analyzed and graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Hoge Raadvoor Diamant (HRD) & the IGI, the most trusted (and known) labs in the world.
How to Care for Your Diamond
- Clean your diamond regularly with mild soap and warm water to maintain its brilliance.
- Handle the diamond by its metal setting to avoid smudging its surface with oils from your skin.
- Store diamond jewelry separately to prevent scratching and damage.
- Schedule professional inspections annually to ensure the setting’s integrity.
- Remove diamond jewelry before exposure to chlorine and harsh chemicals.
- Consider professional polishing if your diamond loses its luster due to residue buildup.
- Protect your diamond from excessive heat and extreme temperature changes to prevent fractures.