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When it comes to choosing your diamond ring, there is a lot to consider. Determining the quality of a diamond can be quite confusing and complicated. When buying a Diamond, what are the most important features to consider? To help you through the jargon, we have put together our “Guide to Diamonds” to help you choose the perfect diamond. This week, I am providing the must-have information to consider when buying Diamonds, commonly known as “the Four Cs”. 

We hope that this guide adds to the enjoyment of your experience by ensuring that you have a thorough grasp of what makes your diamond ring unique.

We stock all rings in the most common ring sizes. These can be resized at the point of purchase or at any point after.

Colour

Diamonds are graded by colour with all the major international laboratories agreeing to a standard 23 colour grading system. Colours are graded from totally colourless, to light yellow. The closer a diamond approaches colourless, the rarer and more valuable it becomes.

The highest colour grade is D; for a diamond with no colour at all. Diamonds are colour graded from D (colourless) to Z (yellowish-brown). The differences from one grade to the next are extremely subtle; while most diamonds appear colourless or ‘white’ many display hints of colour when examined by a lab, yet these colours typically would go unnoticed to the naked eye.

Diamonds with strong pure colour are extremely rare and are called ‘fancies’. These diamonds can be found in colours including pink, blue, yellow, green, and orange.

Carat

A carat is a unit used to measure the weight and size of the diamond. The size/weight of a diamond is measured in Carats. One carat is divided into 100 ‘points’ so that a diamond of 75 points weighs 0.75 of a carat.

Whilst carat weight is the most obvious factor when assessing the value of a diamond, two diamonds of equal size can have very unequal values, depending on the cut, clarity, and colour. Bigger isn’t necessarily better – diamonds of high quality can be found in all size ranges.

Cut

How a diamond is cut is an important consideration; the better the cut, the more the diamond sparkles. The cut refers to both the proportions of the diamond and its shape. In the hands of a master craftsman, a diamond will make the most of the light, giving it a dazzling brilliance. If perfectly cut, light entering the diamond will be refracted internally from facet to facet before emerging through the top of the stone.

Cut can also refer to the shape of the diamond itself. The Brilliant or Round cut shape is the most popular and is used in most diamond jewellery. There are many other shapes available with other popular choices being Oval, Emerald, Princess, and Marquise. We have a large selection of shapes available in-store at John Fitzgerald Jewellers. The shape of a diamond is largely a matter of personal preference, as all are beautiful.

Cuts:

• Round Brilliant
• Heart
• Marquise
• Oval
• Pear
• Princess Square
• Emerald

Clarity

The clarity of a diamond is determined by the amount and location of natural inclusions in the diamond when viewed under 10 power magnification. Diamonds are formed naturally, and as a consequence, most of them contain tiny blemishes, also known as ‘inclusions’. The number of inclusions, their size, and where they are located, all influence how light passes through the diamond. The fewer inclusions a diamond has the more beautiful the diamond will be, thus increasing its rarity and making it more valuable.

Diamonds are graded are as follows:

• Flawless
• VVS1
• VVS2
• VS1
• VS2
• SI1
• SI2
• Pique 1, 2 and 3

At John Fitzgerald Jewellers, we believe that there is a fifth C, Confidence. When buying a diamond from an Association of Fine Jewellers Ireland retailer, you can be confident that you are getting the very best in advice, service, and diamond quality.

The Association of Fine Jewellers Ireland is the largest body representing independent Jewellers in the Republic of Ireland. Established 40 years ago, the association encourages its members to be specialist jewellers with professional standards.

We advise, not to rush into your diamond purchase. Take your time and evaluate your choice carefully as it took billions, (yes, billions) of years for nature to form your diamond. The time you spend now can bring you a lifetime of pleasure, satisfaction and happiness.

Diamonds create a moment that lasts forever. At John Fitzgerald Jewellers, our staff has years of experience to make your time spent with us all the more enjoyable by ensuring that you have the knowledge and understanding of what makes your diamond ring so special.

At Fitzgeralds, we subscribe to the Kimberley Process, which unites administrations, civil societies, and industry in reducing the flow of conflict diamonds – ‘rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments’ – around the world.

You can read more on the Kimberley Process here.