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I love sourcing the most gorgeous diamonds when I am looking for pieces to sell or when I am valuing a collection for a customer! I use the recognised 4 C’s criteria which helps me assess the quality and authenticity of the gemstone:

Cut –the way a diamond is cut and polished by a skilled craftsman increases its value. You may have read about different cut shapes such as round,  brilliant, marquise, pear, princess, emerald and Ascher. It’s not just about shaping the diamond; it’s about crafting facets that allow light to enter, reflect internally, and exit in a dazzling display of brilliance.

Colour – truly colourless diamonds are the most sought after for their purity and brilliance, as they allow light to pass through without any interference from colour. However, coloured diamonds, known as fancy diamonds, possess unique hues such as pink, blue, or yellow, which can be highly prized for their rarity and individuality.

Clarity – refers to the presence or absence of internal and external flaws, known as inclusions and blemishes, respectively. These natural imperfections are formed during the diamond’s crystallisation process deep within the Earth. It is graded on a scale ranging from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions and blemishes visible to the naked eye). The higher the clarity, the higher the price!

Carat – refers to the weight of the diamond. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams, and diamonds are typically measured to the nearest hundredth of a carat. While carat weight influences the size of the diamond, it’s essential to note that two diamonds of equal weight can appear vastly different in size depending on their cut.

Originally published in the Purbeck Gazette on 29th April 2024