Mastering the ABCs of Diamonds: The Perfect Guide to Buying Your Dream Diamond

Looking for a fancy diamond for that special occasion but not sure where to start? In this post, we will explore the main factors that determine the value and price of a diamond. Also, we will have a look at the different types of diamonds available in the market today. Understanding these ABCs of diamond grading is essential for anyone looking to make an informed decision for their next diamond purchase.

Types of Diamonds

Before deciding which style or cut of diamond you would like, it is important to first determine the type of diamond you want. This is the biggest factor that affects the price of your diamonds.

There are 2 main types: Natural and Lab Grown Diamonds.

(Right: Lab Grown, Left: Natural)

Natural Diamonds

Natural diamonds are diamonds that are formed deep within the earth over millions of years through a natural process of high pressure and heat. High quality natural diamonds are relatively rare and often command a higher price.

Pros:

• Formed by nature, giving it a different experience for the buyer

• Every piece is truly unique as they all have their own different inclusions and imperfections

• Some pieces may have historical significance due to the time it takes to form

Cons:

• Prices are over inflated for consumers

• Ethical concerns regarding the mining of diamonds in countries such as Africa

• Limited supply of high quality diamonds, increasing the price even more

• Very poor resale and investment value for average pieces

Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are diamonds that are created in a controlled environment that uses highly advanced technology to replicate the conditions needed to form a diamond.

Note: Lab grown diamonds share 100% of the same chemical properties as a natural diamond. The only difference between is where they were formed. Natural formed by earth and lab grown formed in a lab.

Pros:

• Fair and accessible price for the average consumers

• More options and designs to choose from

• Able to get high quality diamonds that one would not normally be able to access (Bigger carat or higher clarity)

• Ethically made, conflict free and environmentally sustainable.

Cons:

• Lacks unique inclusions

• May not have much historical significance

• Not created by nature

Recently, we have had more customers opting to go for lab grown diamonds as they are able to get much bigger and better quality diamonds for the same price.

For comparison, lab grown diamonds are usually around 5-10% the price of its natural counterpart for the same quality. Unlike gold, diamonds do not have much resale and investment value. This is one of the biggest reasons why more people have been going for lab grown diamonds.

Clarity and Colour

The 2 other biggest factors that affect the price of the diamonds are clarity and colour. Clarity refers to the absence of any flaws that are known as inclusions and blemishes. Whereas colour refers to the diamond's natural colour.

Clarity

Clarity is assessed by the clarity grading scale, as shown.

1. Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds: Rare and exceptionally valuable, these diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes visible even under high magnification.

2. Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Diamonds in this category have minute inclusions that are difficult to detect, even for trained gemologists.

3. Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): Slightly more visible inclusions than VVS diamonds, yet still considered of high quality and offer excellent value.

4. Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): Inclusions in these diamonds may be noticeable to the naked eye in SI2 stones, but they still offer good value and can appear eye-clean in SI1 stones.

5. Included (I1, I2, and I3): Diamonds in this category have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye and may affect their brilliance and overall appearance.

Generally, we would recommend choosing gradings between VVS-SI. These gradings may have some inclusions, but they are almost unnoticeable by the naked eye. FL grades are nice but are often very rare and not very worth the premium, and I grade normally have bigger inclusions that can be seen by the naked eye.

Colour

The second most important factor that affects the pricing of diamonds is the colour. The colour can also be measured via a scale starting from D grade all the way to Z

1. Colourless (D, E, and F): These diamonds are exceptionally rare and highly valued for their lack of colour, allowing them to reflect maximum light and brilliance.

2. Near Colourless (G, H, I, and J): Slightly more colour may be present in these diamonds, but they still appear white to the naked eye and offer an excellent balance of value and quality.

3. Faint to Light Yellow (K to Z): Diamonds in this range exhibit increasingly noticeable colour, with the intensity increasing from K to Z.

Our recommendation will be to choose anything ranging from D-J. One other thing to take note is where the diamond will be placed. If there are other diamonds on the piece, then it is better to choose a colour that is similar to those for a more cohesive look.

Types of Cuts

The cut of the diamond refers to how it was cut to form a desired shape. The more cuts a diamond has, the more light it will reflect, and it will look more brilliant. The more complex cuts will also command a higher price. While there are many types of cuts for diamonds, here are the more common ones.

Round Brilliant Cut: The most common and classic diamond cut, featuring 58 facets that maximize the diamond's brilliance and fire.

Princess Cut: A square-shaped cut with pointed corners, often preferred for its contemporary and elegant look.

Emerald Cut: A rectangular cut with bevelled corners, known for its step-cut facets and understated elegance

Ascher Cut: Similar to the emerald cut but with a square shape, featuring a higher crown and smaller table.

Radiant Cut: A square or rectangular cut with trimmed corners, combining the brilliance of the round cut with the shape of the emerald cut.

Pear Cut: Resembling a teardrop, this cut combines the round brilliant and marquise cuts, resulting in a unique and elegant shape.

Marquise Cut: An elongated cut with pointed ends, creating a distinctive and elongating effect on the finger.

Oval Cut: A modified brilliant cut with an elongated oval shape, offering similar brilliance to the round cut but with a more elongated appearance.

Heart Cut: A romantic cut with a heart-shaped outline, perfect for expressing love and sentiment.

Cushion Cut: A square or rectangular cut with rounded corners, known for its pillow-like appearance and vintage appeal.

Carat Weight

The physical size of the diamond is determined by the carat weight of the individual stone. The higher the carat weight, the bigger the diamond will be.

(Note: Diamonds in pictures often look bigger than in real life.)

For engagement style rings, the most common size is between 0.5 - 3 carats. Also, the cut of the diamond also affects the appearance of the diamond. For example, a square shaped diamond often looks bigger than a round shaped diamond even though they are the same carat size.

Diamond Shopping Checklist

Here are some steps we have created to help you make your purchasing decision easier.

1. Determine your budget

2. Determine the type of diamond you want (Lab Grown or natural)

3. Choose the size (carat)

4. Choose clarity and colour

5. Choose the cut (shape)

If your desired diamond does not meet your budget, then you have to decide which factors you can compromise in order to fit your budget. For example, going for a smaller size or lower clarity.

In conclusion, many people find it quite daunting when deciding to purchase a diamond themselves. However, if you take note of all these factors, you can save a significant amount compared to buying pre-made rings from shops. Many diamond sellers often try to clear their remaining stocks and may recommend you diamonds that do not meet your expectations.

Best Value Diamonds

Here at valor18k, we are able to source for a wide variety of natural and lab-grown loose diamonds through our industry connections for a very competitive price.

We have always guided and educated our customers throughout the process and let them decide by themselves. This has led to them being more satisfied and equipped in finding a stone that meets their needs.

Still very confused? Not to worry, please contact us at any time and our team will be more than happy to assist you!

We sincerely hope that you will find the diamond of your dreams at the best prices. Happy diamond shopping!