“Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”
Indeed, they are now even better friends with the ladies. Being an accessory of the rich and famous is a thing of the past, as diamonds are much more affordable these days. Having said that, the price of the stone would vary greatly depending on the quality. Therefore, it’s wise to know about the quality of the diamond; so that you could make an informed decision when purchasing certified diamonds. Many would certainly have heard of the Four Cs* (Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat) in the jewellery industry.
At Charles Edward Jewellers, we specialise in Engagement rings and have an extensive range of designs for our customers to choose from. Even if you do not see something to your liking (which is highly unlikely), not to worry, we are still able to customize a ring to your fancy and satisfaction. Furthermore, we stock a variety of ready made mountings to fit loose diamonds (ranging from 0.50CTS) that can also be personally selected.
The recognised yardstick against which certified diamonds are measured is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) certificate. GIA, an independent and non profit organization, is considered the final word on a diamond’s authenticity and quality. They developed the Four Cs and the International Diamond Grading System and many jewellery professionals worldwide are adopting their grading standards. We carry only GIA certified diamonds which are identifiable by the laser inscription numbers unique to each and every stone.
The ‘Four Cs’ and Choosing Certified Diamonds
A note on the Four Cs of diamonds – namely Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat. The colour grades range from D to Z, D being the best colourless grade and G being the good average standard colour for the stones. In reality, it is very rare to get truly colourless diamonds. Most diamonds are near colourless with slight tints (invisible to the naked eye) of yellow or brown. As diamonds are formed under immense heat and pressure, imperfections result within the stone itself. However, such internal and external blemishes cannot be seen easily with the naked eye, unless subject to viewing under the microscope. The categories for clarity of a diamond include having inclusions to that of being flawless; the latter being exceptionally difficult to obtain.
The cut of the diamond is one of the most important factor in choosing a diamond as an excellently cut diamond would reflect more light and look dazzling when set in an engagement ring. A large diamond, say a 1 carat size, on the other hand, if poorly cut; would pale in comparison to a smaller diamond with a better cut. The most classic and well-loved diamond shape is the Round Brilliant Cut stone, which makes up at least 80% of the engagement rings sold. Next in line is the Princess Cut stone, which is actually a square cut diamond. Other shapes diamonds include the Asscher, Cushion, Pear, Baguette, Marquise and Heart-shaped cuts. Carat, also known as karat, defines the size and weight of a diamond. We usually recommend that the centre diamonds start from 0.50 Carats, otherwise known as fifty pointers or half a Carat. Having said that, a hundred points will result in a stunning 1 Carat size diamond. It is not uncommon for people to treat themselves to a diamond of 2 Carats and up these days, for many now appreciate the finer things in life.
