Diamond Education

So you need a little help deciding which diamond to go for? Well you've come to the right place!

This page is designed to not only give you the information you need in order to choose a diamond but also give you the honesty and knowledge needed to choose the right diamond.

Here you will find all the details relating to diamonds and how they are graded as well as our recommendations on which diamonds are the best value for money, look amazing and is the right fit for any setting.

When we are looking at diamonds and trying to decide what diamond is right for us we sort them via their grades. These grades are the 4 C's. 

The first C is - CUT 

 This grade looks at how a diamond is cut in terms of depth. If a diamond is cut right it allows in more light. The chart below gives you an idea of what to look for when looking at cut.

Cut is one of the most important characteristics when choosing a diamond...simply put the cut determines the brilliance of the diamond or the "shine"

We recommend a cut grade of Very Good, Excellent or Ideal in order to acquire a diamond that truly sparkles.

 The second C is - COLOUR

Diamond color is all about what you can’t see. Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness – the less color, the higher their value. (The exception to this is fancy color diamonds, such as pinks and blues, which lie outside this color range.) Most diamonds found in jewelry stores run from colorless to near-colorless, with slight hints of yellow or brown.

We tend to recommend a colour grade of H and higher as we find the yellow tends to show more prominently in the lower grades especially in certain settings and paired with higher grade side stones. As with the next two C's the higher the grade the more the price jumps. 

The third C is - CLARITY 

Because diamonds formed deep within the earth, under extreme heat and pressure, they often contain unique birthmarks, either internal (inclusions) or external (blemishes).

Diamond clarity refers to the absence of these inclusions and blemishes. Diamonds without these birthmarks are rare, and rarity affects a diamond’s value. Using the GIA International Diamond Grading System™, diamonds are assigned a clarity grade that ranges from flawless (FL) to diamonds with obvious inclusions (I₃).

Every diamond is unique. None is absolutely perfect under 10× magnification, though some come close. Known as Flawless diamonds, these are exceptionally rare. Most jewelers have never even seen one.

As a starting point we recommend a clarity grade of SI 1-2 and higher. A lot of the time they look eye clean (meaning you cant see too many inclusions with the naked eye.) Because we hand select these diamonds we ensure they are of the highest quality and in many cases obtain images for you to view and approve before going ahead with the purchase.

The last C is - CARAT

Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed in metric carats: one carat is equal to 0.2 grams, about the same weight as a paperclip. (Don’t confuse carat with karat, as in “18K gold,” which refers to gold purity.)

Just as a dollar is divided into 100 pennies, a carat is divided into 100 points. For example, a 50-point diamond weighs 0.50 carats. But two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the other members of the Four C’s: clarity, color and cut. The majority of diamonds used in fine jewelry weigh one carat or less.

Because even a fraction of a carat can make a considerable difference in cost, precision is crucial. In the diamond industry, weight is often measured to the hundred thousandths of a carat, and rounded to a hundredth of a carat. Diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. (For instance, a 1.08 ct. stone would be described as “one point oh eight carats,” or “one oh eight.”)

Carat is the one characteristic which will have very much to do with your budget and personal preference. The size of the diamond has a huge impact on price. When speaking with one of our Jewellers often the Jeweller will ask what your budget is or how much you are looking at spending. This is to determine what size, cut, clarity and colour the Jeweller can source in that price range. We try to get the best diamond that is perfect for you instead of giving you a price that may not fit with what you are looking for.

What are Lab Created Diamonds?

Lab Created Diamonds are an amazing alternative to genuine mined Diamonds as they are grown in strict laboratory conditions using advanced processes that duplicate the conditions under which diamonds naturally develop and form in the Earth. These Lab Created Diamonds consist of the same carbon atoms and are engineered in the characteristic diamond crystal structure. Since they are made of the same material as natural diamonds, they exhibit the same optical and chemical properties.

Lab Created Diamonds are also available in Fancy Colour that are always sought after due to their rarity and include varieties of the hugely popular Vivid Fancy Yellow and Pink. Fancy Colored Lab Diamonds are comparatively reasonable in price compared to their Coloured Diamond counterparts and can be an affordable option when considering Colour.

How Are Lab Created Diamonds Made?

As the name suggests Lab Created Diamonds are grown from the tiny carbon seeds of pre-existing diamonds. Advanced technology – either extreme pressure and heat or a special deposition process known as CVD – mimics the natural method of diamond formation. 

Lab Created Fancy Colored Diamonds are formed when small amounts of specific trace elements are present during the growth phase of the diamond, just like in nature. Lab Diamonds can only be distinguished from natural diamonds using specialized equipment that can detect the minor differences in trace elements and crystal growth. 

Lab Created Diamonds & Diamond Simulants

There is a great distinction between Lab Created Diamonds and Diamond Simulants. Diamond Simulants, like Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite, look similar to Diamonds but are not true carbon crystals. Simulants do not have the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds and therefore sell at much lower prices than man made diamonds. Simulants can usually be distinguished from natural or lab grown diamonds using only the naked eye. 

Some Moissanites can be mistaken for Diamonds when using certain diamond testers due to similarity in their electrical conductivity. However, experience Jewellers and gemologists can typically distinguish between diamond and Moissanite due to their differing refractive properties, with Moissanites being double refractive and diamonds being single refractive.  

Moissanites have come a long way due to production and cutting technologies, especially in certain cuts. For more info on Moissanites check out www.iheartmoissanites.com.au

How do Lab Diamonds compare in price to Natural Diamonds? 

Lab Created Diamonds are a fantastic option when considering budget they can be typically 50 - 70% more affordable than natural diamonds of the same size and quality.

Three Great Reasons To Consider When Looking To Purchase Lab Grown Diamonds...

1. Lab Diamonds are excellent value, and are often more affordable than natural diamonds of the same size and quality.

2. Lab Diamonds are ethically sourced and completely conflict free as no mining is required.

3. Lab Diamonds are virtually the same as natural Diamonds as they have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural Diamonds.

If you're ready to speak to one of our Jewellers just contact us via phone, email or chat and let us help you choose something right for you.