When it comes to buying diamonds, whether this be an engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, eternity rings, you name it – bigger isn’t always better. There are a few elements to consider when buying diamond jewellery: cut, colour, clarity and carat. These are otherwise known as the 4C’s and are used universally when calculating the value of diamonds.
The Cut of a Diamond
The shape of a diamond is referred to as the ‘cut’. This should be considered when buying diamonds. This takes into account the diamond’s style, proportions, symmetry and finish. A diamond’s cut is established when working a rough diamond into its polished form. Arguably, the cut of a diamond is one of the most important things to consider when buying a diamond as the way it’s cut determines its brilliance and sparkle. How the diamond is cut is divided into three different types: shallow cut, well cut and deep cut.
Shallow Cut Diamond:
A shallow cut diamond reflects the light at a low angle as the light travels through the diamond and exits through the sides instead of reflecting through the table, back to you. This tends to result in a poorer level of brilliance.
Well Cut Diamond:
Well cut diamonds reflect the most light and appear larger than they actually are. A well cut diamond can also make the face colour look brighter and can camouflage inclusions. A well cut diamond is often referred to as the ‘ideal cut diamond’ for these reasons.
Deep Cut Diamond:
A deep cut diamond may look smaller than other diamonds of the same carat weight but has more depth to it than a shallow or well cut diamond. Like the shallow cut diamonds, the deep cut diamonds reflect more light through the sides, minimising the light being reflected back to you.
The Colour of a Diamond
Can you believe that diamonds actually come in a range of colours? This is another factor to consider when buying diamonds. They range from white to yellow and variations can be very subtle to the eye. The colour of a diamond is graded on a scale of D to Z. Diamonds towards the D end of the scale are colourless, while the diamonds on the Z end are a light-yellow colour.
White diamonds remain the most popular and are considered the perfect diamond. Colourless diamonds tend to be more desirable and valuable as they are very rare to find. The colour of a diamond will also impact its value. It’s often the case that diamonds become cheaper the more yellow they become (the closer to the Z end of the scale).
The Clarity of a Diamond
The clarity of a diamond refers to how many, or how little, imperfections there are to the diamond on the surface and internally. These are also known as blemishes or inclusions to the diamond and should also be considered when buying diamonds.
Blemishes and inclusions appear naturally whilst the diamond is still forming and cannot be prevented. As a result, almost all diamonds have imperfections. Some inclusions may be so small that they are unnoticeable to the naked eye, whilst others appear bigger and can be spotted without the need of a microscope. The clarity of a diamond is determined by the number of imperfections on it, the location of them, the size of them and the type.
Just like the colour of the diamond, the clarity of a diamond is graded on a scale. An FL/IF diamond is flawless and therefore has no visible inclusions. These tend to be the most rare and valuable making them the most expensive to buy.
13 diamonds appear on the opposite end of the scale. These diamonds have several visible inclusions and tend to be of lesser value.
The Carat of a Diamond
Another aspect to consider when buying diamonds is the carat. The carat of a diamond tends to be the most popular aspect of a diamond. However, the carat is often the most misunderstood. The carat of a diamond refers to a diamond’s measurement of weight, but it’s often confused with the diamond’s size. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams, therefore the higher the carat number, the heavier the diamond.
Heavier diamonds do, therefore, tend to be more expensive. However, it is important to still look at the full 4Cs guide when considering buying a diamond (ring or necklace for example). A diamond could have a high carat but have poor clarity and colour. People have different preferences, price budgets and needs for purchasing diamonds so, what is most important when buying a diamond engagement ring, for example, is to go for the diamond that suits your own personal taste and budget.
Buying Diamonds in Glasgow
At McGowans Jewellers, we will never make you feel uncomfortable when choosing diamonds. Our highly skilled team of jewellers will talk you through the process and the diamond buying guide to ensure you choose the best diamond for your needs. After all, not everyone’s an expert! Book an appointment (free of charge, no obligations) in our Argyll Arcade stores, Glasgow and find the perfect diamond for you and your needs.
Have a look at our full range of services and a selection of our products here before coming into store here. We can help restore old pieces of jewellery and we also have a selection of new and antique jewellery to choose from.
