Its hard to deny that big diamonds in a ring capture peoples’ attention more easily than small diamonds. There is something about a large diamond that people are drawn to, however for those people thinking of buying, there is more to consider than just the weight of the stone.
Diamonds are an investment that call for some know-how to purchase with confidence. While size may appeal and matter, it isn’t necessarily the most important quality to consider before buying an engagement ring, anniversary ring or any-occasion ring.
If a high-quality stone that will hold its value and beauty is desired, consumers need to be mindful of a few other features before making a purchase. The true quality of a diamond is measured in ways that go beyond size to include:
Colour – You will find that the colour of a diamond is graded on a scale from D to Z with D being colourless or nearly colourless and of the highest quality, while those with values between K and Z are usually light yellow to faint yellow. D, E and F diamonds are rare and can demand high prices, while those graded between G and J are only “near” colourless and so usually cost less for the same size stone. G and H are usually popular grades giving a compromise of quality and price. On the lower end of the scale, yellow diamonds are less costly and not so much in demand, unless the yellow is very strong and then this can push the diamond into the Z+ (fancy) grades.
Cut – This is more than just the shape of the diamond. While commonly this refers to the shape such as “princess” or “round cut” or “pear cut” it can also refer to the quality of the design, which include the symmetry and the dimensions. The quality of a cut will affect how much sparkle and shine the diamond has: a better cut will have more sparkle and shine than a poor cut.
Clarity – refers to the number of imperfections in the diamond’s internal structure. A flawless diamond is therefore graded IF or internally flawless and is very rare, thus demanding a much greater price tag. The next in the scale is VVS1 and VVS2 which have only slight “inclusions” and these are also considered to be rare. Then comes VS1 and VS2 grades and they have inclusions which the naked eye cannot detect, which is why you always see jewellers using a magnifying class when valuing a diamond. After this comes SI 1 to SI 3 grades which are quality but have slight inclusions which are difficult to see. SI1 diamonds are very popular because they are still beautiful but cost less.
So when buying a diamond for a piece of jewellery it is important not only to look at the size, but also the other factors of cut, colour and clarity as these can affect the price just as much.