Diamonds are a single element made up solely of carbon that has been compressed underneath the earth for millions of years.  The intrinsic beauty and value of a diamond will not be diminished by age or use – a diamond really is forever!

The following information is a very basic guideline on what to look for when choosing your diamond – your diamond consultant will be able to provide a detailed evaluation of your choice and offer additional information to assist you.  Use the 4 C’s of Clarity, Cut, Colour and Carat as the cornerstone of your decision. 

CLARITY - The cut of a diamond reflects how light will be distributed throughout the stone.  An improper cut results in a very dull stone.  The grade ranges from Imperial (lowest grade) to a Flawless (highest and most rare).  Stones of an Imperial clarity grade will show “black spots” or fissures which can be visible to the naked eye.  As the quality improves you will need a professional appraisal, as well as a microscope inspection, of the stone.

CUT - The cut of a diamond reflects how light will be disbursed. An improper cut will also result in a very dull stone (no sparkle).  A Round Brilliant cut has 58 facet cuts – if one or more facet cuts are off the light will not disburse properly.  A professional assessment is required to accurately appraise the cut quality.  The most popular cuts are Round, Marquis, Pear, and Emerald/Princess.

COLOUR - Equally important is the colour of the diamond – the whiter, the better the quality.  Poorer quality diamonds are “yellow” or smoky.  The colour range is from D (best) to Z (yellow) with the majority of stones being graded in the GHI range. 

CARAT - How big is the diamond?  There are 100 points to one carat, so a .50 point diamond is a ½ carat in size.  When selecting a diamond always choose the actual point size of the stone rather than the fractional weight.  A jeweller may try to sell a .90 point diamond as a one carat (the .90 point will be substantially less expensive than a one carat).  Always have a professional assessment when making your choice. 

The colour and cut components visually present the most pleasing stone; however, personal preferences, as well as price, are important factors in diamond selection. Be sure to view our selection of quality items @ ebay.

Happy Shopping!