DIAMOND EDUCATION
In Greek, diamonds are called adámas – which means unbreakable. Diamonds are the oldest gemstones (over 100 million years) and hardest raw materials on earth and are also used for decorative purposes. Diamonds consist of crystallised carbon created millions of years ago under immense heat (about 1,250°C) under high pressure (40-60 atmospheres) at a depth of 150-200 km in the melting pot of glowing lava. The raw crystals are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions.
The 4Cs of Diamond
Carat
The unit of weight for measuring a diamond is carat (ct). One carat is one-fifth of a gram (0.2 g), and for diamonds, it weighs 100 points.
Diamond Cut
Diamonds in this range are at the top of the grade and very rare; due to the perfect interaction of their facets and light. These diamonds reflect the light best and sparkle intensely among all the diamond categories.
Diamonds in this range are considered to have the highest cut grade. The interaction of their facets shows a good balance and delivers fire and brightness.
Diamonds in this range produce slight fire and sparkle compared to the ideal cut diamonds and deliver subtle darkness.
Diamonds in this range reflect limited light and brilliance.
Diamond Clarity
This clarity scale is considered from flawless to internally flawless. These diamonds do not include any inclusions. Internally flawless diamonds may only contain faint external blemishes, removable by repolishing. Flawless and internally flawless diamonds are rare.
Diamonds with this clarity may contain very slight inclusions that are extremely hard to detect under a 10X magnification mirror and not noticeable with the naked eye.
Diamonds with this clarity contain minor inclusions that can be seen under a 10X magnification mirror and are not noticeable with the naked eye.
Diamonds in this clarity group include slight inclusions that can be detected under 10X magnification mirror.
Diamonds with this clarity contain slight inclusions that are noticeable under graded 10X magnification and visible to the naked eye under close examination.
Diamonds with this clarity contain noticeable inclusions that may affect their brilliance. Inclusions on these diamonds are visible to the naked eyes.
Diamond Colour
D diamonds are the finest. They are white and colourless; they have the rarest colour grades and the highest value.
E diamonds have the second-highest colour grade on the “colourless” scale. They have a characteristic rare white colour and are exceptionally fine.
F diamonds are on the last grade of “colourless” scale and considered as rare and fine white diamonds.
G diamonds are first on the “near colourless” scale. They contain slight traces of white colour and are very valuable.
H diamonds are on the “near colourless” scale and slightly coloured. The colour of the H diamonds can only be detected when compared with other colourless diamonds.
I diamonds are slightly tinted and considered as “near colourless”. The slight colour on the I diamonds may be detected.
J diamonds are considered last on the “near colourless” grade scale. The slight white colour of J diamonds can be detected.
K-Z grade diamonds are slightly coloured or coloured, from light yellow to darker yellow.
What is a Diamond Certificate?
Diamonds are natural stones, and each diamond comes with unique internal and external characteristics. In addition to its size and colour, birthmarks inside the diamond also determine its features. The value of a diamond is based on the combination of these qualities.
The four essential characteristics used to classify a diamond are the "4Cs of diamond": Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat. These characteristics are evaluated by diamond professionals and often documented in detail. This document is called a grading report or diamond certificate. Diamond certificates are important as they show the diamond's quality and value in your jewellery.
GL Certified Diamonds
All GL diamonds are carefully selected from fully credible diamond suppliers in the participant countries of the Kimberley Process. GL certified diamonds are in H Colour, VS clarity and very good cut. GLAMIRA provides both GIA and GL certified diamonds.
GIA Certified Diamonds
Many local and international diamond grading institutes provide diamond certificates such as GIA, HRD, IGI, AGS, etc. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), a nonprofit institute in gemology, is the most widely known and respected diamond grading institute in the world. GLAMIRA gives you a choice of ordering your product with a GIA certified diamond, where you can customise the colour, clarity and cut of the diamond to be used on your setting.