Not sure what to look for when it comes to diamond quality? Here is my helpful wee guide to ensuring the best - stick to the 4 C's!
Cut
This is the most important feature of a diamond as a poor cut diamond will not sparkle.
At Erika Watson Jewellery we will only use excellent or very good cut diamonds.
Clarity
This refers to the black or white marks with in the stone these are categorised by letters and numbers:
* IF (internally flawless) no internal inclusions - Rarest
* VVS (very very slightly included)
* VS (very slightly included )
* SI (slightly included) where the inclusions are visible though 10x magnification
* I (included) visible inclusions
Numbers following these codes refer to a level within its own grade - 1 being higher than 2 ie. SI1 or SI2.
Colour
Diamond colour is measured between D-Z for white diamonds as well as fancy colours which vary from black to yellow, champagne, cognac, pink and blue. These are also available in treated coloured diamonds which are a cheaper option to natural coloured.
D-G are colourless to the naked eye and these grades are what we would recommend to our clients.
Carat
Carat weight is a measurement to how diamonds and coloured stones are measured by weight as depending on stone type and cut proportions can change the overall millimetre size of the diamond poorly cut stones can be deeper cut and smaller millimetre size vs shallow cut stone could measure bigger than a well cut diamond.
This is originally based on 1 carat being the equivalent to 1 carob bean!
