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One of the most prized possessions on earth; diamonds have long been treasured by men and women alike. Despite this however, few people actually know what to look for when purchasing the perfect gem. The quality of a diamond varies, depending on its clarity, weight, colour and cut. Therefore when considering the expensive price tags attached to diamonds, it’s important to be wary of important diamond facts, to ensure you understand exactly what you’re paying for.

When purchasing a diamond it is important to consider the four C’s1:

• Carat Weight

• Diamond Clarity

• Diamond Colour

• Diamond Cut
  

Carat weight

• Carat weight refers to the weight of the diamond in carats

• The actual weight of one carat is 0.2 grams

• One carat equates to 100 points, therefore a diamond with 75 points weighs 0.75 carats (or 0.15g).

• Two diamonds of equal carat weight can have different prices depending on the quality of the diamond

• Diamonds can be different shapes and still weigh the same

Clarity

• Diamond clarity refers to the diamond’s internal flaws and impurities

• The highest quality diamond is completely flawless however most diamonds naturally contain small inclusions or flaws, which makes every diamond unique

  
  

Colour

• The colour of a white (colourless) diamond can vary from totally colourless to light yellow

• Most diamonds found in jewellery stores range from colourless to near-colourless, with hints of yellow or brown

• The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) use a Colour Grading Scale to rate the colour of a colourless diamond2:

• It’s recommended to choose a colour up to “H” for large stone purchases such as engagement rings if you don’t want the colour to be apparent

Cut

• The cut doesn’t refer to the shape of a diamond, but to the way the light reflects through the diamond

• There are three criteria to consider when looking at the cut of a diamond: Proportions, Symmetry and Polish

  • Proportion: refers to the light reflections of a diamond from one facet to another. Only a diamond cut in proper proportions can reflect the light from one facet to another and then disperse it through the top of the stone

  • Symmetry: the diamond facets need to be symmetrical so they look uniform and reflect the light optimally

  • Polish: refers to the surface finish of a diamond, which the light ultimately escapes through to reach the eye.

• The GIA assess the cut of a diamond by its ability to transfer light. GIA use a Cut Scale to demonstrate this

GIA Cut Scale

Key points about coloured diamonds

• Natural coloured diamonds are extremely rare

• For every natural coloured diamond there exist at least 10,000 colourless ones

• The presence of colour in diamonds is an entirely natural process, ensuring every stone is unique

• The physical conditions needed to colour a diamond naturally occur very scarcely, making natural colour diamonds extremely rare

• Levels of trace elements, along with distortions to the typical diamond crystal contribute to the diamond’s colour

• The value of a naturally coloured diamond depends more on the rarity of its colour, rather than on any of the other 3C's including carat weight, cut and clarity.
  
  

Key points about pink diamonds

• Pink diamonds have been found in several mines across the world

• Today, the Argyle mine in North West Australia is the only mine in the world to produce a consistent volume of pink diamonds

• Ninety per cent of the world’s pink diamonds are mined from the Argyle mines in Western Australia and nearly 100% of the intensely coloured ones.

• A whole years production of Argyle’s best pink diamonds can be held in the palm of your hand

• Therefore the price of a pink diamond can be 20 times the price of an equivalent white diamond

• A high quality half-carat pink diamond can cost $100,000, compared to a fine white diamond of the same size for around $5000.3
  

Article from the experts at Mondial Neuman:

Using one of the most rare and exquisite gemstones in the world, the pink diamond, Mondial Neuman: Pink Diamond Gallery creates one-of-a-kind pieces that are truly unique in colour and design. With the largest selection in the world of pink diamonds available to the public, Mondial Neuman is able to cater to any pink diamond request.

For further information visit www.mondial.com.au or call 02 9267 7974.