Carat Weight
Carat weight measures the size of a diamond. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, and diamonds are often measured in fractions of a carat. Larger diamonds typically come with higher carat weight, but carat weight alone doesn’t determine the overall value of the diamond—other factors like cut, clarity, and color also play a role.
- Why It Matters: Carat weight is often an important consideration when buying a diamond, but it’s not the only factor that impacts beauty. Larger diamonds are rarer and can be more expensive, but smaller diamonds with high cut quality, clarity, and color can have just as much brilliance and visual impact.
- Educational Fact: Two diamonds of the same carat weight can appear differently depending on their proportions. For example, a round diamond with a shallow cut may appear larger than a diamond with ideal proportions, even though they share the same carat weight. This is why cut quality is so crucial to the overall appearance.
Symmetry
Symmetry refers to the alignment and proportionality of a diamond’s facets. A diamond with excellent symmetry will have facets that align perfectly across the stone, ensuring the light reflects evenly and maximizes brilliance. The more symmetrical the diamond, the better the light performance.
- Why It Matters: Symmetry affects the way a diamond reflects light. If the facets are misaligned or unevenly cut, it can cause uneven light dispersion, leading to a less brilliant stone. Excellent symmetry ensures that light travels through the diamond properly, resulting in an eye-catching sparkle.
- Educational Fact: Symmetry is graded from Excellent to Fair, and diamonds with Excellent Symmetry will consistently display brilliant sparkle from every angle. This is one of the primary factors considered when evaluating cut quality, and a well-symmetrical diamond is more likely to retain its beauty over time.
Growth Process (Lab-Grown Diamonds)
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds that are produced in controlled laboratory environments using two primary methods: CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) and HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature). These diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds but are more affordable and often more ethically sourced.
- Why It Matters: Lab-grown diamonds offer the same brilliance, clarity, and beauty as natural diamonds but at a more accessible price point. The growth process affects the diamond’s characteristics and may be important to some consumers who value sustainability.
- Technical Fact: The CVD method grows diamonds by using carbon-rich gas that is heated to high temperatures, allowing the carbon atoms to settle on a substrate and crystallize. HPHT, on the other hand, mimics the natural high-pressure environment where diamonds are formed deep within the Earth.
Measurements
Measurements refer to the physical size of the diamond, including its length, width, and depth. These dimensions are essential for determining the overall size and proportions of the diamond. For round diamonds, the most common measurements are the diameter (length and width) and the depth (height).
- Why It Matters: Accurate measurements ensure that a diamond is cut in a way that enhances its beauty. A well-measured diamond with ideal proportions will maximize brilliance and sparkle. The diamond’s size, along with its cut proportions, directly impacts its visual appeal and performance under light.
- Educational Fact: For round diamonds, ideal depth percentages typically range between 59% and 63%, as this allows the diamond to reflect light from top to bottom, creating maximum brilliance. Fancy-shaped diamonds, like princess or emerald cuts, have their own specific range of measurements that optimize light reflection and minimize light leakage.
Proportions
Proportions describe the relationship between the various dimensions of a diamond, such as depth, table size, crown height, and pavilion depth. Well-balanced proportions ensure the diamond performs optimally by allowing light to enter and reflect inside the stone, creating its brilliance and fire.
- Why It Matters: Proper proportions are essential for maximizing the beauty of the diamond. If a diamond is too shallow or too deep, light may escape from the bottom or sides, reducing its brilliance. A diamond with ideal proportions will have a balance that ensures light is efficiently reflected, making it sparkle.
- Educational Fact: For round diamonds, an ideal table size (the flat surface of the diamond) typically ranges between 53% to 58% of the diameter, allowing for optimal light reflection. When the depth and table are well-proportioned, the diamond achieves a perfect balance between sparkle and size.
Color Grade
Color in diamonds is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown), with the most colorless diamonds being the rarest and most valuable. A diamond’s color can influence its brilliance, as more color can absorb light, reducing sparkle.
- Why It Matters: Colorless diamonds (graded D-F) allow more light to pass through, creating a brighter, more brilliant stone. While diamonds in the G-J range (near colorless) still appear white to the naked eye, diamonds with noticeable color (lower grades) are less valuable. Many consumers prefer diamonds in the D-G range for their beauty and rarity.
- Educational Fact: The human eye cannot always detect slight color differences, especially in diamonds over 1 carat. That’s why diamonds graded H or I can still appear nearly colorless in certain settings, offering excellent value without compromising appearance.
Polish
Polish refers to the smoothness of the diamond’s surface after it has been cut. A high-quality polish ensures that the diamond reflects light effectively and appears free from any surface imperfections.
- Why It Matters: A well-polished diamond enhances its overall brilliance and shine. Poor polish can create visible imperfections that diminish the diamond’s beauty and sparkle. High-quality polish ensures that light enters and exits the diamond’s facets smoothly, contributing to its brilliance.
- Educational Fact: Polish is graded from Excellent to Fair. Excellent Polish means the diamond’s surface is flawless, ensuring maximum light reflection. Even slight imperfections in the polish can affect how light interacts with the diamond, leading to a decrease in brilliance.
Fluorescence
Fluorescence refers to the diamond’s ability to emit a visible light (often blue) when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Some diamonds show fluorescence, which may make them appear differently under certain lighting conditions.
- Why It Matters: While fluorescence doesn’t significantly affect most diamonds’ appearance, it can be noticeable in some stones. Diamonds with strong fluorescence may appear hazy or milky in natural light, but the effect is usually subtle. Most diamonds show no fluorescence, which is considered more desirable for many buyers.
- Educational Fact: Fluorescence is graded from None to Strong. Diamonds with faint or no fluorescence tend to appear clearer and more brilliant, while those with strong fluorescence can sometimes appear cloudy, depending on the intensity of the effect.