Diamonds were first mined in India more than 2800 years ago. The first finds of diamonds in South Africa, in 1866, triggered a worldwide rush. Since 1979, the Argyle pipe in Australia has been the largest producer of diamonds. Only 20 percent of diamonds all around the world are used as gemstones. The rest find uses as excellent abrasives and cutting tools.
When shopping for a diamond, it is better to know about the four C’s, viz. cut, clarity, colour and carat weight. Comparing the prices on these bases is a good way of ensuring that you get value for your money. There are many other factors influencing the grading of a diamond, but they usually fall under one of the above C’s.
Know the different shapes a diamond comes in
Although a round diamond is the most popular, diamonds are also available in a variety of other shapes. Some of these shapes are explained below.
Asscher – Also known as Square Emerald Cut, Asscher cut diamonds are rapidly gaining in popularity. Chris Robinson gave the Hollywood actress Kate Hudson a beautiful Asscher diamond symbolising their engagement. 0.5 Carat Asscher Diamond F Colour I1 Clarity EGL Certified Diamond is of the highest colour grade. Asscher Diamond 2.93 Carat, H Colour VVS1 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond is of exceptional quality and is relatively expensive.
Brilliant – Brilliant cut diamonds today have 58 facets while vintage brilliants may have different facet numbers. A well cut brilliant appears white when viewed from the top. Diamond Pendant 0.3 Carat, Set With Round Brilliant Diamonds is set in 18-karat white gold. Circle of Life / Circle of Love Diamond Pendant 1/2 Carat, Set With Round Brilliant Diamonds is set in 14-karat white gold.
Cushion – Also known as Candlelight Diamonds, these diamonds look like a miniature pillow. The Regent, a cushion shaped diamond, one of the largest of its type originally found in India, is now on display in the Louvre in Paris. Cushion Diamond 5.09 Carat, H Colour SI1 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond has an excellent cut. Cushion Diamond 2.07 Carat, FV Colour VVS2 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond has faint fluorescence and no culet.
Emerald – Pairing with side stones usually enhances the emerald cut diamond, with its understated elegance. The platinum engagement ring of Camilla Parker Bowles featured an emerald-cut diamond, estimated at over a million dollars and originally belonging to the Queen Mother. Emerald Diamond 5.16 Carat, F Colour VVS1 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond has faint fluorescence and an excellent cut. Emerald Diamond 5.52 Carat, F Colour VVS2 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond has an excellent cut and very small culet.
Marquise – Also known as navette or boat shape, a marquise cut is a fancy variation of the round brilliant cut. A dark area across the width of the diamond gives it a bow tie effect. When shopping for a marquise, try to select one with as less as a bowtie effect as possible. 4.03 Carat Marquise Diamond D Colour IF Clarity IGI Certified Diamond and Marquise Diamond 2.09 Carat, E Colour IF Clarity GIA Certified Diamond have an excellent cut and no fluorescence.
Oval – The oval cut diamond is also a fancy variation of the round brilliant cut. These diamonds may also suffer from the undesirable bowtie effect. 9.03 Carat Oval Diamond H Colour SI2 Clarity IGI Certified Diamond has an excellent cut and no fluorescence. Oval Diamond 3.54 Carat, G Colour VVS1 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond has an ideal cut and medium-blue fluorescence.
Pear – A pear shaped diamond has an interesting cut and a wonderful sparkle. However an improperly cut pear may result in a bowtie that is too large or dark. Here’s a piece of interesting trivia again! Robert Burton gave the ‘Taylor-Burton’ diamond, one of the world’s largest pear-shaped diamonds, to Elizabeth Taylor on their engagement. Pear Diamond 4.03 Carat, G Colour VS1 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond has an excellent cut and medium-blue fluorescence.
Princess – Princess cut diamonds are the latest trend now, especially set for engagement rings. It has sharp, uncut corners, and is famous for its shiny brilliance. Princess Diamond 10.08 Carat, I Colour SI1 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond and 3.07 Carat Princess Diamond I Colour VVS2 Clarity EGL Certified Diamond have excellent cut and no culet.
Radiant – A radiant–cut diamond looks similar to an emerald–cut diamond, but has more brilliance. Ben Affleck gave Jennifer Lopez a pink radiant-shaped diamond set on a ring, which looks very modern and feminine. Radiant Diamond 3.04 Carat, FI Colour VVS2 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond and Radiant Diamond 1.4 Carat, FV Colour IF Clarity GIA Certified Diamond have ideal cut and no culet.
Round – Diamonds that are less than a carat in size are cut round with 18 facets while the Swiss cut round has 34 facets. It sure does sound amazing that Queen Victoria flaunted the world-famous round-cut ‘koh-i-noor’ diamond, originally held by an Indian King, on her tiara in 1853! Round Diamond 5 Carat, D Colour IF Clarity GIA Certified Diamond and Round Diamond 6.07 Carat, H Colour VVS2 Clarity GIA Certified Diamond have no culet and excellent symmetry.
Know about the 4 C’s that influence the grade of a diamond
Diamonds having the best combination of colour, clarity, cut and carat weight are the most valuable and the most rare of all.
Colour – While intensely coloured diamonds are exceptional and unusual, traditionally colourless diamonds have been preferred over every other colour. The Gemmological Institute of America, also known as the GIA, has established a colour scale to grade diamonds from D to Z. Colourless diamonds range from D to J, while warm coloured diamonds range from K to Z.
Clarity – Naturally occurring inclusions within every diamond ensure that every stone has its own unique fingerprint. Inclusions appear when the diamond is in its formation stage and may look like feathers, clouds or crystals. The GIA has established a scale of perfection, ranging from F to I, viewed under 10x magnification. Mounting can hide inclusions on the sides, while others on the middle or top could affect the diamond’s brilliance.
Cut – The tiny point at the bottom of the diamond is called cutlet. A bigger diamond may have less brilliance than a smaller diamond. Most diamonds are cut to 58 facets. The round cut diamond is the most brilliant of all shapes.
Carat weight – Large diamonds are rare in nature, so the cost of a diamond rises exponentially with carat weight. Assuming that two diamonds have the same colour, clarity and cut, a 1 carat diamond is bound to cost more that 2 times a ½ carat diamond. Similarly, thirty 1 carat diamonds cost less than one 30-carat diamond. 200 milligrams equals 1 carat. One carat is divided into 100 points, so a .30-carat diamond is the same as a 30-point diamond.
Care and maintenance of your diamond
Simple maintenance, on a regular basis, keeps your diamond jewellery shining like new for years to come.
It is advisable not to sleep wearing diamond jewellery, as it may get stuck on the linen and disturb the settings or the gemstones.
A good way to clean diamonds is by immersing them into a mild detergent and warm water mixture for a few minutes. Wash and wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Have a professional jeweller clean and check the settings on your jewels at least once a year.
Always keep diamonds separate from faux jewellery.
Keeping the above points in mind will help you in making an informed decision when shopping for a diamond on Getprice!
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