Education

Diamond Grading

Cut

Refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. The cut of a diamond refers to the exact proportions, quality of polish and the arrangement of a diamond's facets. While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight and color, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release the diamonds’ fire and sparkle. A diamond has facets that allow light to enter it, become refracted, and exit in a rainbow of colors. As illustrated below, when a diamond is cut to ideal proportions, is carefully polished and has exact symmetry, light will then reflect from one facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow, lose or leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in less brilliance, fire, scintillation and value.

Clarity

The fewer imperfections in a diamond, the better. A flawless diamond is extremely rare and valuable.

Color

Diamonds are found with a range of colors, from light yellow or brown through no color at all, the rarest.

Carat

A carat is a measure of weight, which also indicates size.