DIAMONDS GUIDE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

First of all, we find it important to ensure thatOur diamonds come from legitimate sources not involved in economic or war conflicts and in accordance with United Nations Resolutions, the Kimberly Process Certification System, as well as the International Guarantee System.

When choosing a diamond we must look at its characteristics, since each one has distinctive characteristics. The quality of a diamond is defined by the '4Cs': color, clarity, cut and carat weight are the globally recognized diamond quality standards.

THE ‘4Cs’

  • Cut: The cut is the most important of the 4Cs. It refers to the way the diamond's facets interact with light. A good cut highlights the brilliance and light refraction, which makes the diamond shine brightly and will determine the beauty of the stone.

It should be noted that the shape and cut of a diamond are not the same. The cut determines the way the diamond's facets interact with light. Shape describes the geometric appearance of a diamond. The cut defines the future shape of a rough diamond, and not the other way around.  This is why diamond shapes are often called cuts.

  • Color (Color) Color is the second most important of the 4Cs. Colorless diamonds are the most valuable, the less color a diamond has, the higher its gemological grade will be and therefore its price will be higher, although diamonds with intense colors such as blue, pink and green, known as "Fancy diamonds" , are also highly valued.
The industry standard for color grading is to evaluate each gemstone against a “master set” and assign a grade ranging from the letter “D” (colorless) to “Z” (light yellow). Colorless diamonds are those from the letters D to F.
  • Clarity: Purity refers to the presence of inclusions or imperfections within the diamond. A diamond with fewer inclusions is rarer and therefore more valuable.

A stone is classified as flawless if, under 10x magnification, it has no inclusions (internal imperfections) and no visible blemishes (external imperfections)

A diamond with a low clarity grade has several inclusions, which directly affects its brilliance. Since inclusions block the refraction and reflection of light, the lower the clarity grade, the cloudier the diamond will appear.

  • Quilates (Carat weight): A carat is equivalent to one fifth of a gram, that is, 200 milligrams.

As the carat weight increases, so does its value, as long as the quality of the diamond remains high. Two half-carat stones will be worth less than a one-carat stone of the same quality.

All these factors are decisive when calculating the value of a diamond, but we also have to take into account that the diamonds are certified by recognized laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) , the International Gemological Institute (IGI) , AnchorCert Gem Lab and HRD Antwerp, since in this case they usually have a higher value due to the confidence that these certificates provide regarding the quality and authenticity of the gem.

DIAMOND CUT

The cut is the determining factor for the brilliance of the diamond.

The term “cut” in the case of the diamond includes two concepts: the shape of the diamond, and the quality of proportions and finish. We can talk, therefore, about the type and the quality size.

The most common cut types for diamonds of a certain size are: brilliant, emerald, princess, oval, heart, radiant, etc. 

The term bright can be used in isolation. When we say that a stone “is a brilliant” we mean, and this is internationally accepted, that it is a brilliant cut diamond.

When we talk about cutting quality in a brilliant, it is not about valuing a natural property, as happens with color or purity, but rather the stoning work that man has carried out, whose main objective should be to achieve the grade maximum of beauty. 

ROUND DIAMONDS

The round diamond is the classic choice par excellence in engagement rings. Its cut is specifically designed to maximize brilliance, ensuring stunning radiance no matter the size or weight of the gem.

OVAL DIAMONDS

They offer a high level of brightness. In addition, its elongated shape makes it appear larger than it is, providing an elegant and sophisticated appearance.

PEAR DIAMONDS

The pear-shaped diamond, also known as a teardrop shape, is very versatile. Depending on the design of the ring, it can convey a vintage or modern air, always standing out for its uniqueness in any environment.

ELONGATED DIAMONDS

With a square design and gently curved edges, the elongated radiant diamond offers a perfect balance between the classic brilliance of the round diamond and a design with more contemporary lines. It is ideal for those looking for the best of both styles. In them, the cushion style is popular, which has a wide surface, a square contour and gently rounded edges.

MARQUISE DIAMONDS

The marquise shape has a noble origin, as it was created by order of Louis XV in honor of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour. This diamond has a distinctive and elegant design that adds a unique and stylish touch to any ring.

HEART DIAMOND

Heart-shaped gems are classic symbols of love, cut with a precise length-to-width ratio to ensure curves of perfect symmetry. Whoever gives a heart-shaped diamond wants to express romanticism without any doubt.

DIAMOND CUSHION OR PILLOW

In the cushion diamond the rounded edges soften the corners of this square or rectangular diamond.  It is a unique derivative of the classic round brilliant cut and is an excellent choice to pair with any engagement ring setting.

ASCHER

Ascher cut diamonds look like emerald-shaped gems, except they are square. Devised in the Art Deco period, they are very popular among lovers of historical jewelry designs.

TRILLION

The trillion is a triangular shaped diamond. It is frequently used as a decorative stone, enhancing the effect of a center diamond, but it can also look spectacular in solitaire rings. Its sides can be straight or curved, in this case making the diamond appear smoother. When set in a halo design, the center stone will tend to look a little more substantial due to the diamonds surrounding it and will have a softer appearance. A solitaire can suit larger diamonds where the gem is large enough to impress on its own.

All these factors influence when deciding on a diamond, sometimes ignorance can be frustrating, that is why it is very important to seek help, at Nanna Folk we will be happy to advise you and explain any issue so that such an important purchase can be made in full confidence.