DIAMOND EDUCATION
Understanding Diamonds and the 4C’s
Buying a diamond should be exciting, not confusing.
Every diamond has its own combination of characteristics that determine how it looks, how beautifully it performs in different lighting and ultimately how it is valued.
The internationally recognised 4Cs — Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat Weight — provide the foundation for understanding and comparing diamonds.
At Dream Diamonds, however, we believe there is another important consideration: confidence.
Understanding what you are buying, having appropriate independent certification and receiving knowledgeable advice can be just as important as the specifications written on a grading report.
CUT
The Secret Behind a Diamond's Sparkle
A diamond's cut is one of the most important factors influencing its beauty.
Cut should not be confused with shape. Shape describes whether a diamond is round, oval, pear, emerald, cushion or another outline.
Cut describes how successfully the diamond's proportions, angles, symmetry and facets work together to interact with light.
When a diamond is beautifully cut, light enters the stone, reflects between its facets and returns through the top of the diamond.
The result is the brightness, fire and sparkle we associate with an exceptional diamond.
A poorly proportioned diamond may allow light to escape through the sides or bottom, causing it to appear darker or less lively.
Why Cut Matters
Unlike colour, clarity and carat weight, which are characteristics of the diamond itself, cut quality is largely determined by human craftsmanship.
The diamond cutter must decide how to transform the original rough diamond into a finished polished stone.
This requires balancing two competing considerations:
- Retaining as much weight as possible from the rough diamond
- Creating proportions that maximise the beauty and light performance of the finished diamond
At Dream Diamonds, we believe a beautifully cut diamond will often appear more impressive than a diamond selected simply because it has a higher colour, clarity or carat weight.
DIAMOND PROPORTIONS
Why Angles and Proportions Matter
Two diamonds can have the same carat weight, colour and clarity and still look remarkably different.
One of the major reasons is proportion.
A diamond's table size, total depth, crown angle, pavilion angle and girdle all influence the way light travels through the stone.
Correctly balanced proportions allow light to reflect efficiently through the diamond and return toward the viewer.
Poor proportions can cause light leakage and reduce brilliance.
A Diamond Can Also Carry Weight Where You Cannot See It
Carat measures weight — not visible size.
A diamond that is cut unnecessarily deep may retain additional weight below the girdle. Although that extra weight contributes to its carat measurement, it may not make the diamond appear larger when viewed from above.
This is why simply comparing diamonds by carat weight does not tell the complete story.
Measurements and proportions matter.
ANATOMY OF A ROUND BRILLIANT DIAMOND
The modern round brilliant diamond consists of carefully positioned facets designed to control the movement of light through the stone.
Understanding its basic anatomy makes it easier to understand a diamond grading report.
DIAGRAM:Large side-profile round brilliant with arrows identifying Table, Crown, Girdle, Pavilion and Culet.
1. Table
The table is the large flat facet at the very top of the diamond.
It provides an important pathway for light to enter and return from the diamond.
2. Crown
The crown is the upper portion of the diamond between the table and girdle.
Its carefully angled facets help disperse and return light, contributing to the diamond's brilliance and fire.
3. Girdle
The girdle forms the outer perimeter and widest part of the diamond.
It separates the crown from the pavilion and is also the area normally secured by the claws or setting of a ring.
4. Pavilion
The pavilion is the lower portion of the diamond beneath the girdle.
Its angles play an extremely important role in reflecting light back toward the crown.
5. Culet
The culet is located at the very bottom of the diamond where the pavilion facets meet.
On many modern brilliant-cut diamonds, the culet is extremely small or effectively comes to a point.
COLOUR
Understanding Diamond Colour
When discussing traditional white diamonds, colour grading actually measures the absence of colour.
The internationally recognised GIA colour scale begins at D, representing colourless, and continues through to Z, where increasingly noticeable yellow or brown colour may be present.
The GIA Colour Scale
D – F: Colourless
These diamonds fall within the highest colour range and display little to no noticeable body colour.
G – J: Near Colourless
These diamonds can offer an excellent balance between appearance and value. Depending on the individual diamond, differences can be very subtle when viewed face-up.
K – M: Faint Colour
A warmer tone becomes increasingly noticeable.
N – Z: Very Light to Light Colour
Colour becomes progressively more apparent as you move further along the grading scale.
Does Higher Colour Always Mean a More Beautiful Diamond?
Not necessarily.
Colour is only one characteristic.
The diamond's cut, shape, setting and surrounding metal colour can all influence how its colour is perceived.
For example, a slightly warmer diamond may appear very different when set in yellow gold compared with white gold or platinum.
CLARITY
Understanding Diamond Clarity
Almost every diamond contains tiny characteristics created during its formation or growth.
Clarity describes the presence, size, position and nature of these characteristics.
Internal characteristics are generally referred to as inclusions, while characteristics affecting the surface are known as blemishes.
Diamonds with fewer or less noticeable clarity characteristics generally receive higher clarity grades.
However, higher clarity does not automatically mean a diamond will appear more beautiful to the naked eye.
The position and visibility of the inclusions can be just as important as the grade itself.
THE GIA CLARITY SCALE
The GIA clarity grading system ranges from Flawless (FL) through to Included (I).
FL — Flawless
No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader under 10× magnification.
IF — Internally Flawless
No internal inclusions are visible under 10× magnification, although minor surface characteristics may be present.
VVS1 & VVS2 — Very, Very Slightly Included
Contains extremely small inclusions that are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10× magnification.
VS1 & VS2 — Very Slightly Included
Contains minor inclusions that can be detected under 10× magnification but will often be difficult or impossible to see with the naked eye.
SI1 & SI2 — Slightly Included
Inclusions are more noticeable under magnification and, depending on their size and position, may sometimes be visible without magnification.
I1, I2 & I3 — Included
Inclusions are obvious under magnification and may be visible to the naked eye. In higher Included grades, inclusions may also affect transparency, brilliance or durability.
IMPORTANT:Images showing clarity characteristics should only be regarded as a guide. Actual inclusions vary considerably between individual diamonds, even when they have the same clarity grade.
DIAGRAM:Clarity scale: FL → IF → VVS1 → VVS2 → VS1 → VS2 → SI1 → SI2 → I1 → I2 → I3.
CARAT WEIGHT
What Does Diamond Carat Mean?
Carat is a measurement of weight, not diameter or physical dimensions.
One metric carat equals 0.20 grams.
A one-carat diamond therefore weighs 0.20 grams, while a two-carat diamond weighs 0.40 grams.
But two diamonds of exactly the same carat weight can have noticeably different dimensions.
Why?
Because their proportions may be different.
A deeply cut diamond can carry more of its weight below the girdle, while a well-proportioned diamond may distribute its weight more effectively across its visible diameter.
This is why we consider measurements, proportions and cut quality alongside carat weight when helping customers compare diamonds.
SIZE VS CARAT WEIGHT
Bigger Carat Doesn't Always Mean Bigger Looking
It is easy to assume that the heavier diamond will always look larger.
That isn't necessarily the case.
The apparent size of a diamond when viewed from above is influenced by its:
- Diameter or length and width
- Depth
- Shape
- Proportions
- Cut quality
This becomes particularly important when comparing diamonds that are close in weight.
A beautifully proportioned diamond can sometimes provide a better combination of visible size and brilliance than a heavier stone carrying unnecessary weight underneath.
At Dream Diamonds, we therefore look beyond the carat number.
DIAMOND SHAPE
Shape Is Different from Cut
Diamond shape describes the outline you see when looking at the diamond from above.
Popular shapes include:
- Round Brilliant
- Oval
- Pear
- Emerald
- Radiant
- Cushion
- Princess
- Marquise
- Asscher
- Heart
Each shape has its own personality, proportions and visual characteristics.
Some shapes appear larger for their carat weight, while others are chosen for their brilliance, elegance or distinctive appearance.
There is no universally "best" diamond shape.
The right shape is the one you love.
CERTIFICATION
Why Diamond Certification Matters
A diamond grading report provides an independent assessment of a diamond's characteristics.
Depending upon the laboratory and type of diamond, the report may include information such as:
- Carat weight
- Measurements
- Colour grade
- Clarity grade
- Cut grade
- Polish
- Symmetry
- Fluorescence
- Proportions
- Clarity characteristics
- Laboratory report number
Independent certification allows you to understand precisely what you are purchasing and provides an important basis for comparing diamonds.
Recognised diamond grading laboratories include organisations such as the International Gemological Institute (IGI) and Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
NATURAL & LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS
Both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds are real diamonds.
They share the same fundamental crystal structure and possess the optical and physical properties associated with diamond.
Their primary difference is origin.
Natural diamonds formed within the Earth over geological time, while laboratory-grown diamonds are created using technology that reproduces the conditions required for diamond crystal growth.
Both can be cut into beautiful gemstones and assessed according to characteristics such as cut, colour, clarity and carat weight.
The right choice depends upon your personal preferences, priorities and budget.
CONFIDENCE
THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION
The 4Cs provide an excellent framework for comparing diamonds.
But numbers alone do not tell you everything about how a diamond will actually look.
Two diamonds with apparently similar grading reports can perform very differently when placed side by side.
That is why we believe confidence is one of the most important parts of buying a diamond.
Confidence comes from:
- Understanding what you are purchasing
- Appropriate independent certification
- Comparing the complete specifications rather than one number
- Looking carefully at cut and proportions
- Receiving knowledgeable advice
- Choosing a diamond that looks beautiful to you
DIAMOND FLUORESCENCE
What Is Diamond Fluorescence?
Diamond fluorescence refers to the visible glow that some diamonds produce when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.
The most common fluorescent colour in diamonds is blue, although other colours can occasionally occur.
Fluorescence is caused by trace elements and structural characteristics within the diamond and is not the same as the diamond's colour grade.
How Is Fluorescence Graded?
Diamond grading laboratories generally describe the strength of fluorescence using classifications such as:
- None
- Faint
- Medium
- Strong
- Very Strong
The fluorescence grade can normally be found on the diamond's grading report.
Does Fluorescence Affect a Diamond's Appearance?
In many diamonds, fluorescence has little or no noticeable effect in normal lighting conditions.
Medium or stronger blue fluorescence can sometimes make a diamond with a slightly warmer body colour appear whiter or brighter in certain lighting.
In a small proportion of diamonds with strong or very strong fluorescence, the stone may display a hazy, milky or oily appearance. This is why the individual diamond should be assessed rather than fluorescence being judged by the grading report alone.
Is Fluorescence Good or Bad?
Fluorescence should not automatically be considered either good or bad.
What matters is how the individual diamond actually looks.
A beautiful diamond with fluorescence can represent an excellent choice, while a diamond should not be selected—or rejected—simply because a grading report states a particular fluorescence strength.
At Dream Diamonds, we consider fluorescence together with the diamond's cut, colour, clarity, proportions and overall appearance before making a recommendation.
IMAGE / DIAGRAM:Show the same round brilliant diamond under normal lighting and UV lighting, followed by a simple scale:
NONE → FAINT → MEDIUM → STRONG → VERY STRONG
The fluorescence should gradually increase from no visible glow through to a clearly visible blue glow.
THE DREAM DIAMONDS APPROACH
More Than just the 4Cs
At Dream Diamonds, we don't believe choosing a diamond should simply involve finding the highest specifications on a grading report.
Our approach is to look at the complete diamond.
We consider its cut, proportions, measurements, colour, clarity and carat weight together with how the diamond actually presents.
The objective isn't necessarily to find the diamond with the highest numbers.
It is to find the diamond that offers the right combination of:
Beauty. Quality. Size. Value.
And most importantly, a diamond that you will love every time you look at it.
