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Each diamond is unique and is a miracle of time, place and change. Each has specific qualities that establish its value. The Gemmological Institute of America (G.I.A.) created the first, and now globally accepted standard for describing diamonds: Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight. Today, the 4Cs of Diamond Quality is the universal method for assessing the quality of any diamond, anywhere in the world. As creator of the Diamond 4Cs and the International Diamond Grading System™, GIA is not only a global authority, but the world’s most trusted source for unbiased assessment.
GIA’s D-to-Z colour-grading scale is the industry’s most widely accepted grading system. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colourless, and continues, with increasing presence of colour. We tend to stock only D-G grade diamonds as they have a crystal white appearance.
Natural diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth. This process can result in a variety of internal characteristics called ‘inclusions’. Many inclusions are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained diamond grader with a magnifier loupe. To the naked eye, a VS1 and an SI2 diamond may look exactly the same, but these diamonds are quite different in terms of overall quality. This is why expert and accurate assessment of clarity is extremely important.
The GIA Cut Scale ranges from Excellent to Poor. A Polished diamond’s beauty lies in its complex relationship with light: how light strikes the surface, how much enters the diamond and how, and in what form light returns to your eye. Diamonds with excellent proportions, symmetry, and polish optimize their interaction with light, and have increased brightness, fire and scintillation.
One carat equals 200 milligrams in weight, or 1/5th of a gram. For diamonds under one carat, each carat is divided into 100 points – similar to pennies in a dollar. 0.75 ct. = 75 points, 1/2 ct. = 50 points.
The 4Cs provide a way to objectively compare and evaluate diamonds, but numbers alone can’t describe a diamond’s mysterious and captivating beauty - for that, you’ll have to arrange an appointment to see one for yourself.
