Cut
The cut of a diamond is perhaps the most crucial factor influencing its overall appearance and brilliance. This refers to how well the diamond's facets interact with light. A well-cut diamond reflects and refracts light in a way that enhances its sparkle and scintillation. The cut grade ranges from Excellent to Poor and determines the diamond's fire and brilliance. A skillfully cut diamond maximizes its visual appeal, even if other factors like colour and clarity are present to a lesser extent.
Colour
The colour of a diamond pertains to the presence of any tint or hue in the stone. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond colour on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (noticeable colour). Colourless diamonds (D-F) are prized for their pure brilliance, while diamonds in the near-colourless range (G-J) offer excellent value and often appear colourless to the naked eye. The choice of colour grade depends on personal preference and budget. It's important to consider the metal colour of the setting as it can influence how the diamond's colour is perceived.
Clarity
Clarity evaluates the presence of internal characteristics (inclusions) and surface imperfections (blemishes) in a diamond. GIA's clarity scale ranges from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions visible to the naked eye). A diamond with fewer inclusions is more valuable due to its rarity. However, many imperfections are microscopic and don't impact the diamond's overall beauty. The clarity grade you choose should align with your preferences and budget while ensuring the diamond appears clean to the naked eye.
Carat
Carat refers to the diamond's size, with one carat equivalent to 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds are generally rarer and more valuable, but the carat weight is just one aspect of a diamond's overall quality. When considering carat weight, it's essential to balance it with the other three C's to ensure you're getting a diamond that meets your preferences in terms of size and overall visual appeal.
Here at Alder Fine Jewellery, we meticulously choose diamonds with the finest cuts, ensuring they possess not only brilliance and beauty but also maximizing their millimeter dimensions relative to their carat weight.