Diamond
Diamond is a colourless exceptionally hard mineral (but often tinted yellow, orange, blue, brown, or black by impurities), found in certain igneous rocks esp. the kimberlites of South Africa. It is used as a gemstone, as anabrasive, and on the working edges of cutting tools.
Cut
Cut enables a diamond to make the best use of light. A well cut diamond is the work of a master diamond cutter. When cut to good proportions, a diamond will handle light better resulting in more brilliance.
A well proportioned diamond occurs when light enters through the crown to be reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone.
If the diamond is cut too deep, some of the light entering the diamond is reflected and escapes through the pavilion.
If the diamond is cut too shallow, some of the light entering the diamond escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.
| Cutting Grades |
| Ideal |
Diamonds cut to Ideal proportions. Maximum beauty is yielded with these proportions. |
| Excellent |
Diamonds cut just outside of Ideal proportions |
| Very Good |
Diamonds cut just somewhat outside of ideal proportions |
| Good |
Diamonds cut noticeably outside ideal proportions but above average. |
| Fair |
Diamonds cut below average proportions with noticeably reduced brilliance and cutting flaws to the untrained eye. |
| Poor |
Diamonds cut well below average proportions with distinctively reduced brilliance and noticeable cutting irregularities to the untrained eye. |
Colour
Diamond is a colourless exceptionally hard mineral (but often tinted yellow, orange, blue, brown, or black by impurities), found in certain igneous rocks esp. the kimberlites of South Africa. It is used as a gemstone, as anabrasive, and on the working edges of cutting tools.
Clarity
It is the extent to which a diamond is free of any inclusions.
FL (Flawless)
Flawless diamonds show no inclusions or blemishes of any sort when examined by a skilled grader under 10X magnification.
IF (internally Flawless)
Internally Flawless diamonds show no inclusions and only insignificant blemishes of when examined by a skilled grader under 10X magnification.
VVS1-VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included)
VVS Diamonds contain minute inclusions that are difficult for even a skilled grader to see under 10X magnification.
VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly Included)
VS stones contain minor inclusions ranging from difficult (VS1) to some what easy (VS2) for a trained grader to see under 10X magnification.
SI1-SI2 (Slightly Included)
SI stones contain noticeable inclusions which are easy (SI1) or very easy (SI2) for a trained grader to see under 10X magnification.
| I1-I2-I3 (Imperfect) |
| I-grade diamonds contain inclusions that |
| |
| (a) |
are obvious to a trained grader under 10X Magnification |
| (b) |
can be seen face-up with unaided eye |
| (c) |
seriously affect the stone`s potential durability |
| (d) |
are so numerous they affect transparency and brilliance |
Carat
It is the measurement with which diamonds and other precious and semi-precious stones are measured by. One Carat is divided into 100 points. (i.e., 75 points equals to 0.75cts). As the carat weight of a diamond increases, so does the rarity and value of a diamond when compared to a diamond of same cut, colour and clarity. Carat size alone does not represent the total beauty and value if it lacks a high colour, high clarity or brilliance. |