It is my pleasure to present to you the globally recognized diamond grading standards.
First, some information about this beautiful precious stone that is the diamond.
The diamond is the hardest natural material on both the Vickers and Mohs scale.
Legend has it, that diamonds have been mined for over 6,000 years, but historically, the first diamonds were officially mined 3,000 years ago, in India.
The four basic criteria determining the value of a diamond are:
CARAT CLARITY COLOR SIZE The “4Cs” are all important and interrelated. CARAT = Weight of the diamond CLARITY = Internal purity of the diamond COLOR = Tint of the diamond CUT = Size and proportion of the diamond
CARAT / WEIGHT
The weight of the diamond is measured in carats and in hundredths of a carat. When talking about small stones, they are often said to weigh 10 points (0.10 ct), 15 points (0.15 ct), 25 points (1/4 carat), 50 points (1/2 carat), etc… Large stones being much rarer, the larger a diamond, the higher its relative price.
CLARITY / PURITY
The clarity of a diamond is defined by the relative inclusions discerned by an expert and specialist using a glass magnifying 10 times (10x). Here are the purity categories:
F = Flawless, Completely without inclusion and external feature
IF = Internally Flawless, Completely without inclusion, but has some external characteristics
VVS1 and VVS2 = Very Very Slightly Included, Very very small inclusions hardly visible with a 10x magnifying glass
VS1 and VS2 = Very Slightly Included, Very small inclusions visible under 10x magnification
SI1 = Slightly Included, Small inclusions more easily visible under 10x magnification
SI1 and SI2 = Slightly Included, Small inclusions easily visible under 10x magnification
I1 = Included, Imperfect with difficulty with the naked eye
I2 and I3 – Included, Imperfect easily visible to the naked eye
COLOR / TINT
The classification of shades begins with the letter “D”.
The most wanted diamond is colorless or “D”.
Seen with the naked eye, diamonds classified D – E – F are colorless.
Diamonds graded G–H are white.
Diamonds graded I – J are slightly yellow.
There are pronounced color diamonds like blue, green, champagne, cognac, etc. These diamonds are called fancy diamonds.
CUT / SIZE
If the size of the stone is correctly proportioned according to the dimensions studied scientifically, the rays of light penetrate the stone and are returned by each of the facets, giving place to this magnificent scintillation that we know from the diamond.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if you wish to have your diamonds appraised.
The Classification of Diamonds
It is my pleasure to present to you the globally recognized diamond grading standards.
First, some information about this beautiful precious stone that is the diamond.
The diamond is the hardest natural material on both the Vickers and Mohs scale.
Legend has it, that diamonds have been mined for over 6,000 years, but historically, the first diamonds were officially mined 3,000 years ago, in India.
The four basic criteria determining the value of a diamond are:
CARAT CLARITY COLOR SIZE
The “4Cs” are all important and interrelated.
CARAT = Weight of the diamond
CLARITY = Internal purity of the diamond
COLOR = Tint of the diamond
CUT = Size and proportion of the diamond
CARAT / WEIGHT
The weight of the diamond is measured in carats and in hundredths of a carat. When talking about small stones, they are often said to weigh 10 points (0.10 ct), 15 points (0.15 ct), 25 points (1/4 carat), 50 points (1/2 carat), etc… Large stones being much rarer, the larger a diamond, the higher its relative price.
CLARITY / PURITY
The clarity of a diamond is defined by the relative inclusions discerned by an expert and specialist using a glass magnifying 10 times (10x). Here are the purity categories:
F = Flawless, Completely without inclusion and external feature
IF = Internally Flawless, Completely without inclusion, but has some external characteristics
VVS1 and VVS2 = Very Very Slightly Included, Very very small inclusions hardly visible with a 10x magnifying glass
VS1 and VS2 = Very Slightly Included, Very small inclusions visible under 10x magnification
SI1 = Slightly Included, Small inclusions more easily visible under 10x magnification
SI1 and SI2 = Slightly Included, Small inclusions easily visible under 10x magnification
I1 = Included, Imperfect with difficulty with the naked eye
I2 and I3 – Included, Imperfect easily visible to the naked eye
COLOR / TINT
The classification of shades begins with the letter “D”.
The most wanted diamond is colorless or “D”.
Seen with the naked eye, diamonds classified D – E – F are colorless.
Diamonds graded G–H are white.
Diamonds graded I – J are slightly yellow.
There are pronounced color diamonds like blue, green, champagne, cognac, etc. These diamonds are called fancy diamonds.
CUT / SIZE
If the size of the stone is correctly proportioned according to the dimensions studied scientifically, the rays of light penetrate the stone and are returned by each of the facets, giving place to this magnificent scintillation that we know from the diamond.
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or if you wish to have your diamonds appraised.
Thank you !