Fashion
Girls Best Friend: Know Your Diamonds
Most of us have a fascination for diamonds but not so many of us really know what happens after the precious stones enter the market place. Only 18% of diamonds produced worldwide is made into jewellery. The stones that are used are mainly in the categories G and H colours and VS and SI clarities and all weight sizes are dedicated for this sector.
Those who choose to buy diamonds as investment occupy only 2% of the market. These stones are mainly from the categories D, E and F colours and LC and VVS clarities, and are above 1 carat in weight.
This leaves 80% of the diamonds which are destined for use in industry and the colours and clarities of the stones are far below the standards of those used for investment and to design jewellery.
We speak with diamond experts at the Private Diamond Club to learn more about establishing the quality of a diamond...
The 8 Quality criteria of a Diamond
While the beauty of an visual attraction to a precisely cut stone can vary from one person to another, the actual value is based on well defined international standards.
The Private Diamond Club emphasizes that the 4 criteria, known as the "4 C's" are not sufficient to characterize a diamond...
...it is of major importance to specify the gradations of the 4 other quality criteria which are, alas, too often ignored.
1. CARAT (THE WEIGHT) - 1 CARAT EQUALS 0,2 GRAM
(please note that the actual size may vary due to different screen resolutions)
The price per carat is the not the same regardless of the weight of the stone: i.e. that a 2 carat stone price is much higher than 2 stones of 1 carat each, 7 other criteria being the same.
In other words, the higher the weight of a stone, the higher the price per carat is.
2. CLARITY
Clarity grades are determined by the size, position, brightness and number of inclusions.
Private Diamond Club only sells diamonds (loose or set as a jewel) with clarity grade from IF to SI2 and in no case lower gradations such as P1 - P2 ...
3. COLOUR
(Please note that this image is only meant to show the different shades, real diamonds can look different)
Private Diamond Club only sells diamonds (loose or set as a jewel) with Color between D to H and in no case lower color stones such as I - J. ...
4. SHAPE
The most common shape is the round one or "brilliant cut". With 57 facets it is the form that returns the most light and is the best selling and most expensive.
Other shapes called "fantasy" are used in jewelry as the princess cut, heart, marquise, emerald cut, drop, cushion, oval etc. ....
5. PROPORTIONS
Each diamond shape must meet specific characteristics of proportions between its different facets to reflect and diffract light optimally.
Private Diamond Club only sells diamonds (alone or set on a jewel) whose proportions are "Excellent" or "Very good". With lower gradations, the value of the diamond drops from 10 to 30%.
6. SYMMETRY
Similarly, the dimensions of facets and angles they form between themselves must be perfectly balanced to give the stone its maximum brightness.
Private Diamond Club only sells diamonds (alone or set on a jewel) whose symmetry is "Excellent" or "Very good". With lower gradations, the value of the diamond drops from 10 to 30%.
7. FINISH
No imperfections resulting from the size, no trace of rough diamond on the facets must not stand to avoid any obstacles in the path of the light.
Private Diamond Club only sells diamonds (alone or set on a jewel) whose finish is "Excellent" or "Very good". With lower gradations, the value of the diamond drops from 10 to 30%.
8. FLUORESCENCE
Contrary to what one might think, the most common diamonds are fluorescent and the rarest are not.
Private Diamond Club only sells diamonds (alone or set on a jewel) whose Fluorescence is "Nil" or " Faint". With lower gradations, the value of the diamond drops from 10 to 30%.
CONCLUSION
The higher is the rank of the stone in all of these categories, the greater is its value. Official certificates (issued by HRD, GIA or IGI), which must accompany each diamond, refer to these eight quality criteria.
The certification of the diamonds is the best way to guarantee the purchaser the authenticity and quality of the diamond.
Buying direct through the Private Diamond Club of Antwerp
you could save up to save 50%.
Contact them for further details: contact@private-diamond-club.com
Enjoy visiting the Private Diamond Club website and browse through
their online catalogue: