What to look for when selecting a diamond

There are many factors that affect the price of diamonds. Many jewellers and merchants refer to the “Four Cs” of grading; cut, colour, clarity and carat, yet there is more to selecting a diamond. Read Dallas’ quick guide to selecting a diamond.

Cut

Diamonds can be beautifully transformed into a variety of shapes from the traditional round shape to the whimsical heart shape.

Color

The whiter the diamond, the greater it’s value. A colourless diamond will allow increased light to pass through it and will consequently emit a greater amount of fire and brilliance. Diamonds are found in colours from “colourless” to “canary yellow”. If looking at the traditional De Beers 4C Chart, they also come in a mesmerising assortment of colours such as red, pink, purple, blue, black, and green just to name a few.

Clarity

Almost every diamond will contain some blemishes and inclusions formed during the course of its crystallisation. A grading structure is used to describe inclusions found within the diamond.

Carat

Diamonds are always measured in carat weight with one carat being the equivalent of 1/5 of a gram. Additionally there are “100 points” in a carat, so a .50 point diamond is described as half a carat.

Symmetry

Symmetry is the quality of the way a diamond has been crafted and should never be confused with the shape of the diamond. Symmetry in a diamond can be entirely manipulated by the diamond cutter and determine the beauty and can have a huge impact on the value of a diamond. This is something that is commonly overlooked when comparing prices it is always strongly advise to buy with confidence from someone you can trust.

Grading Certificate

It is crucial when choosing a diamond to review the diamond certificate, referred to as a grading report to protect your investment.

Despite all the above, it’s not until you see a diamond in the flesh and compare it side by side with other potential diamonds that you can truly see the life and sparkle that cannot be documented on paper. As part of the Dallas Designer Jewellery process for designing pieces, Dallas sources diamonds worldwide for your selection.