What makes one diamond more expensive than another?
Diamonds are very valuable, so value needs to be precisely measured.
Over the years diamond professionals have developed precise standards for comparing or grading diamonds and setting their values. These values are influenced by its rarity and by the educated opinions of experts.
Very slight differences in characteristics can make big differences in price, but remember that factors that lower the grade and value of a diamond do not necessarily reduce its brilliance, scintillation and beauty. Although we can measure, tabulate and compare them, it does not necessarily mean that one diamond is more beautiful than another.
That been said diamond appraisers look for four qualities in a diamond when discerning its value. Commonly known as the 4 C’s they are cut, colour, clarity and carat weight.
The assessment of each C directly affects the value of a diamond simply because they are rarer.
No one C is more important than another and none will diminish over time.
Understanding these terms will help you discover the features most important to you, insuring you make the best decision when buying your diamond.
Carat
- Carat is a measurement of weight.
- 1 Carat = 0.2 gram
- 1 Carat may also be referred to as 100 points i.e. half a carat may be referred to as 50 points and so on.
Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, a single one carat diamond will cost considerably more than two half carat diamonds etc.
Colour
- Diamonds occur in many colours, most of which range from yellow to near colourless or white.
- Diamonds are graded on an alphabetical colour scale which range from D – Z.
- A rating of ‘D’ is regarded as colourless and is treasured for its rarity, thus making it more valuable.
- Colours ranging from D – J on the colour scale are termed ‘face white’ or near colourless. Colour differences can be very subtle and are graded under controlled conditions.
- Colours J – Z will display a yellow tone; these warmer colours are favoured when setting in yellow or rose gold. Although considered less valuable than their whiter counterparts, they display no less
- brilliance, fire and beauty.
Clarity
- Clarity is the degree to which a diamond is free from individual flaws or imperfections.
- These can be classified as blemishes (surface scratches or chips), or internal inclusions such as feathers (cracks), carbon spots, crystals etc.
- They are often not visible to the naked eye but if they are big enough to be seen they can often affect the brilliance and durability of the diamond.
- A diamond without any of these characteristics is referred to as flawless. These diamonds are rarer and commanding a higher price.
Diamond clarity is graded and classified as follows:
Photograph examples of inclusions
Cut
- Cut is the human contribution to a diamonds beauty. While most of diamonds qualities are defined by nature it takes a true craftsman to unlock a diamonds brilliance, fire and scintillation.
- ‘Brilliance’ is determined by the ability of a diamond to reflect light back at you. A correctly cut diamond will have facets angled precisely to enable it to disperse and reflect the greatest amount of light.
- Proportions are the key to its beauty, a poorly cut diamond with incorrect angles will leak light out the bottom and drastically reducing brilliance.
‘Fancy shaped diamonds’ and are very beautiful as well, the most common shapes include:
