Diamond Guide

A diamond’s value, rarity and beauty are determined by factors that are commonly known as the 4 Cs, these are: colour, clarity, carat and cut. Before deciding on purchasing your diamond jewellery, it is important to understand why two diamonds that may look exactly the same are actually valued differently. Before buying a diamond ring or jewellery, this following section will help you to understand the 4 Cs in more detail and will be useful when studying the diamond’s brilliance, beauty and quality.

Carat

Diamonds are measured in carats, which take into account the weight, rather than the size. Carats are split into points where 100 points are equal to one carat. The size of a diamond is proportional to its carat weight, and something to bear in mind when choosing a diamond engagement ring.

Colour

Diamonds naturally vary in colour, and are graded on a scale from D-Z. Truly colourless diamonds (D) are treasured for their rarity Many of these colour distinctions are so subtle that they are invisible to the untrained eye; however, these distinctions make a very big difference in diamond quality and price. At Arah James we only use diamonds graded G-H and above.

Cut

The cut of a diamond refers to its proportion and finish. A well-cut diamond will appear very radiant and fiery, while a poorly cut diamond can appear dark and lifeless, regardless of its clarity or colour. Symmetry, proportion and how polished a diamond is will all determine the quality of the cut. An “ideal” diamond (round, brilliant, or princess cut), has both increased brilliance and diameter relative to more deeply-cut diamonds.

Clarity

Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection called clarity, meaning the fewer inclusions a diamond has, the more valuable it is. The clarity scale is a reminder that diamonds have natural flaws and they are rarely perfect. Most of the diamonds used in our rings are SI quality meaning they have small inclusions only noticeable under 10x magnification. Diamonds in the G-I colour range combined with SI clarity represent excellent value for money.