How to choose the perfect diamond: Learn about the 4 C's

AD. Here’s a third world problem for you… How do you choose the perfect diamond? Understandably this might not be the question on most people's lips right now, but I wanted to write about another of my passions, and show you a little bit of what I enjoy. And that’s diamonds! *insert scoff here*

They say that diamonds are a girl's best friend & over the years I’ve managed to collect a couple of friends using expert knowledge and a diploma I achieved whilst working in a high street jewellers. Today I'm passing off my knowledge and discussing what exactly makes u a perfect diamond.

_{[Photo by Daria Kopylova on Unsplash]}

How to choose the perfect diamond.

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the perfect diamond. Whether it’s a diamond engagement ring, a bespoke meaningful diamond pendant or a stand out bracelet, you need to know your diamonds. For comprehensive guidance, consider checking out this comparison from Learning Jewelry.

First and foremost your diamonds need to be coming from a safe place. You should ensure your retailer is following the Kimberley process to make sure of this. But what we’re going to delve a bit further into today is the 4 C’s. The 4 C’s is a universal reference produced by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) depicting the value of a diamond.

What are the 4 C’s

Carat weight

This is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs. Generally the bigger the diamond, the higher the carat weight (although this isn’t always the case). It's important to remember however that a bigger diamond doesn't always mean a better diamond. A 1CT diamond that is well cut and has good colour and clarity can be more valuable than a 2CT diamond that isn't as well cut or has more inclusions.

Finding the perfect diamond is all about finding the perfect balance between the 4 C’s. If you're looking for a weightier diamond, be sure to also consider the other three C's.

Cut

A diamond's cut is how well it's been shaped and polished. A well cut diamond will reflect light beautifully, giving off a dazzling sparkle. But a poorly cut diamond will appear dull and lacklustre. There are diamond brands out there with patented cuts such as the Forever diamond with its ‘flower cut’ and Tolkowsky diamonds with the ‘ideal cut’. It’s worth taking into consideration the diamond's general shape here too. Princess cut and emerald cut diamonds are becoming increasingly popular however round cut stones are considered timeless.

A well cut diamond will reflect light from one end to the other, creating a brilliant sparkle.

Clarity

This refers to the presence of inclusions or blemishes in the diamond. I like to call them a diamonds’ freckles. A diamond with no inclusions or blemishes is considered flawless, while a diamond with many inclusions is considered included. The fewer inclusions, the higher the clarity, and the more valuable the diamond. It's important to note that most diamonds will have some inclusions, it's just a matter of how visible they are. And for some people, these inclusions can give the diamond a unique appeal and make it one of a kind.

Colour

As diamonds are natural gemstones they come in a variety of different colours. They’re graded from D-Z, colourless to light yellow or brown. The more colourless a diamond is, the more valuable and therefore more expensive it is. But, don't let that fool you, some diamonds have a hint of yellow or brown that can give them a unique and warm appeal. Brands such as LeVian specialise in 'chocolate diamonds'. They manufactures incredible couture jewellery pieces using the most fantastic deep brown chocolate diamonds.

You'll want to take your personal taste into account when choosing a diamond based on colour.

As you can see it’s all about getting the balance right when choosing the perfect diamond. Different people will have different tastes too, so some might prefer a stone with a better cut, others might favour a weightier stone. The recipient's wants need to be taken into consideration when choosing the perfect diamond.

I haven’t written a great deal of jewellery content previously, but I’m a bit of a diamond & gemstone nerd. Would you like to read more from me about these types of subjects? I hope this post has been insightful.