If you are looking into buying diamonds, there are a number of factors that you will need to consider before you make your big purchase. As well as taking your time to choose an adequate diamond seller and designer, you should also take note of the famous ‘4 Cs’, which are 4 sets of rules, or key considerations, that must be looked at prior to buying. In this article, we will outline these factors for you, so you can stand in a better position to be able to purchase the perfect diamond for you and your loved ones.
Carat: The carat of a diamond stone is used to measure the size of your stone based on weight. This is an important facet that is worth considering amongst the other Cs below.
Cut: This is the diamond’s proportion measurement, and how it interacts with light to give off effects such as ‘fire’ or ‘scintillation’. The ‘Cut’ is perhaps the most important aspect of a diamond quality that impacts the jewel’s beauty. Diamond Cut specifically refers to the quality of a diamond’s angles, proportions, symmetrical facets, brilliance, fire, scintillation and finishing details. These factors directly impact a diamond’s ability to sparkle, along with its overall aesthetic appeal.
Colour: This describes the presence or lack of intensity of colour in the diamond. The diamond colour is graded in terms of how white or colourless the diamond is. These grades run from D to Z, with D being the most colourless and Z containing the most brown or yellow tint possible. The colour is important to consider in particular settings.
Clarity: This references the purity and quality of the stone, considering blemishes – effectively, how flawless it is. For Clarity, there is a chart adhered to by specialists, who will determine how clear or unclear the diamond really is.
When looking to buy a diamond, it’s worth looking at the possibility of opting for lab created diamonds. These are man-made diamonds that are produced by scientists in a lab, created so that they are chemically and physically the same as diamonds that are mined from the ground. These diamonds have a range of significant benefits that make them more accessible and unique. Firstly, they can be more individually customised, which can contribute to your diamond/jewel being closer to your stylistic preference. They also contribute to a greener and more ethical planet, as they avoid the typical environmental and humanitarian issues that we tend to see in the mined diamond industry. Lab grown diamonds are also more affordable, which opens up the market to a lot more buyers who are looking to purchase. When considering buying diamonds, it’s important to look at the 4 Cs first, as this creates the foundations for a good quality diamond purchase. It is then worth looking at how the diamonds are made – that is, whether they are mined or lab grown, and whether you can choose to make the switch. These grades run from D to Z, with D being the most colourless and Z containing the most brown or yellow tint possible. The colour is important to consider in particular settings.
