If you have decided that a diamond is the stone for you, then the chances are that you have already started to do some research, and have discovered that buying diamonds can be a very confusing endeavour. Obviously, you are keen to get the best stone you can, a stone that will reflect you as a couple, and they will love wearing for the years to come. That can be quite a lot of pressure!

There are of course lots of different ways of lessening that pressure, but the main one is being able to make an informed decision. And that’s why I am writing this post! Before I start, it has to be said that the difference between one diamond and another can be difficult to see, and with a bewildering pricing structure, it’s understandable that it can seem confusing!

Understanding what can affect a diamond’s price is key, and we use something called THE 4 C’S. These are the four categories that a quality of a diamond is graded on.

Diamonds can vary massively in colour, depending on the different elements in the earth when they were formed. And the varia- tion includes many colours of the rainbow, with some being far rarer than others. The less colour a diamond has, the higher the grade and higher the value. The more colour a stone has (yellow or brown) the lower the value, unless they past the Z grade, when they instantly go up in price. Such colour are to be considered “fancy” and rare to find and therefore valued more highly.

The second C is Clarity, how clear is the stone when you look at it through the loupe?
Stones can have natural inclusions and imperfections which disrupts the transmission of light through the stone. The fewer inclu- sions and imperfections the better its clarity and the higher its value. The range varies from FL (flawless) to I3 (very heavily included). Flawless diamonds or those with negligible inclusions, are the rarest and most valuable. 

The third C is Cut. The quality of a diamond cut refers to how well a diamond has been cut and polished. It effects the way that the diamond facets can absorb and reflect light, giving its “sparkle” effect. A well cut diamond (excellent) will sparkle and appear bright, while a poor cut diamond (poor) will appear dull and lack lustre. The difference is highlighted when you place the stone between your fingers and gently move it from side to side and see how little or how much it reflects the light.

The final C is Carat, in other words the weight of the stone. Each carat can be subdivided into 100 points, making it a precise measurement. If all the other C’s are equal, diamond price increases exponentially with carat weight, mainly because larger dia- monds are harder to find and therefore more desirable.

Carat size is plays a big factor in valuing a stone but don’t be fooled, a large diamond with flaws can be the same price as a much smaller, perfectly formed diamond. Remember it is the relationship between all the 4 C’s which determines its value.
The process of valuing diamonds is complicated which is also why it is a specialist job.

Having said all that, when choosing your stone, I would say yes be aware of the 4 C’s and shortlist your favourites. Then place your selection between your fingers. Once the stones are placed against skin, they can look different.
When the stone sits on the hand it becomes easier to see the stone that feels right.

Good luck and get in touch if you would like help in finding the stone that feels right for you.