So you’re buying a diamond.
Whether you’re purchasing a natural or a lab grown diamond it’s good to know the basics of diamond theory so that you have confidence in your purchase.
You don’t need to become an expert, but you should be working with an expert like our team here at Wove. So let’s dive in.
The four C’s are the primary specifications for any diamond and they will determine how each stone is priced.
Diamond Cut
The first, and arguably the most important is the cut of the diamond. The whole reason we love diamonds is because they sparkle more than any other stone, this is thanks to the cut. Every facet (line) in the stone should be cut to optimize the refraction of light traveling through the diamond.
It’s important to note that only a round diamond will receive a formal cut grade on their certificate, this is because it’s a circle so we know how to make that shape perfect. Whereas if you take an oval for example, some prefer that oval to be more plump and some want it thinner, so we can’t say there is an ideal way to cut that shape, it wouldn't be fair to give it a grading. With that said, there are MANY factors an expert should consider to make sure the fancy shapes are still well cut.
Diamond Carat
Next is the one everyone knows, the carat weight.
This is how we determine the size of each diamond. A carat is actually a measurement of weight, and not size, as it’s often confused for. Generally the higher the diamond carat weight, the larger its size, however that’s not always true. That’s why it’s important to look at the diamond’s measurements as part of your diamond research. 1ct is equal to a fifth of a gram, so if you had a 5ct diamond it would weigh 1 gram. The price of any diamond is heavily determined by the carat weight and this is done on an exponential scale, meaning if you had a 1ct diamond and 2ct diamond with identical specs, the 2ct shouldn’t be double the price but closer to triple.
A diamond’s measurements are an important consideration. This is because certain shapes tend to look larger than others, and some diamonds are cut more deeply, causing carat weight to hide in the diamond’s bottom.
At Wove we always pay attention to the diameter or length to width measurements of every stone to ensure that we’re maximizing visual size!
Diamond Color
Next is color. By nature diamonds should be white or ‘colorless’ but the presence of other chemicals can affect the color of the stone. Most commonly we see nitrogen or iron within the composition which results in a yellow/brown tint. The scale we use to determine the color is the alphabet but beginning at D all the way to Z. D is the highest, more colorless shade. The goal is for the diamond to be white to your eye.
Diamond Clarity
And finally, the clarity. Diamonds, just like us, are not perfect. You can often find inclusions or blemishes within the stone when using magnification. Our priority is to make sure no inclusions are visible with your naked eye. Meaning, when your partner is staring at her ring about 5 inches away from her eyes, which we guarantee will happen as soon as they get it on their finger, they are not able to see any imperfections.
We find this is the ‘C’ most clients can go lowest on in order to stay within budget or maximize a different ‘C’.
It’s not crucial you become an expert on diamonds but it is important that you work with an expert to make sure that you’re buying a good quality diamond at a fair price. We’d be so happy to work with you to find the perfect stone and create your dream ring!
Watch the full 4C's of Diamonds video here:
