Diamonds 101: How to Buy a Diamond

Lumbers Jewellers takes pride in being able to assist clients with the gemtstone knowledge and expertise we pride ourselves upon. Buying a diamond is arguably one of the most daunting tasks when entering some jewellers however with the right information at hand it can be a walk in the park and an enjoyable one too!

Each diamond is unique and is a miracle of time, place and change. And each has specific qualities that establish its value. Until the middle of the twentieth century, there was no agreed-upon standard by which diamonds could be judged. GIA 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. The creation of the Diamond 4Cs meant two very important things: diamond quality could be communicated in a universal language, and diamond customers could now know exactly what they were about to purchase.

The term diamond colour actually refers to the absence of colour. The less colour within the stone, the more desirable and valuable it is. Some of these differences are not visible to the naked eye, but directly impact the overall quality and price of the stone. In addition, diamond clarity measures the amount, size and placement of internal ‘inclusions,’ and external ‘blemishes.’ Grades run from ‘Flawless,’ with virtually no imperfections, to ‘Included,’ which contain a significant number of imperfections.

It is worth noting that the diamond cut does not refer to a diamond’s shape, but to the proportion and arrangement of its facets and the quality of workmanship. The amount of brilliance, sparkle and fire in a diamond is determined by cut. Grades range from ‘Excellent’ to ‘Poor.’ Moreover, diamond carat refers to a diamond’s weight. Generally speaking, the higher the carat weight, the more expensive the stone. Two diamonds of equal carat weight, however, can have very different quality and price when the other three Cs are considered.

Understanding the 4Cs of Diamond Quality is the perfect cornerstone when buying a diamond. With the correct information, the task of purchasing a potential engagement ring or another dress ring has just got that bit easier!