Exquisite, beautiful and truly unique. Diamonds are the perfect way to express love and commitment to that special someone.
We believe when it comes to purchasing diamonds, it's important to firstly consider the 4Cs: carat, clarity, cut and color, as well as other important factors such as shape and certification. By offering some of the highest quality diamonds from reputable international suppliers and working smarter and more efficiently, we can provide products which are excellent value for money.
Here at Austen & Blake, we understand that choosing the right diamond may seem like a daunting and lengthy process, so here we have composed a simple guide to help. If you have any further questions, please contact our Customer Care Team.
Carat refers to the weight of the diamond and the overall diameter of the diamond, not the size. Carat weight is often confused with visual size, but it is actually the weight measurement of the diamond. Total carat weight refers to the total weight of all the stones used in one piece of jewelry when more than one diamond is used. For example, diamond earrings are usually quoted under total carat, signifying the combined weight of both earrings.
Not to be confused with the shape or size of the diamond, the cut is all about proportions. A well-cut diamond reflects light and brilliance to ensure maximum sparkle, and is possibly one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing diamonds. Even a diamond with perfect clarity and color grade can appear dull if it has been cut poorly.
Diamonds which are cut in equal proportion enable light to be returned out of the top, producing the signature sparkle. If they are cut too deep then light is transferred out of the side, whereas too shallow and light will return from the bottom creating a less lustrous appearance.
Grades are assigned using the diamond cut grade guidelines established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Diamonds which are well cut will be attributed with ideal, excellent or very good cut grades.
Colour is another very important factor to consider when choosing diamonds. Rarity and purity are measured by a diamond’s lack of color. Higher quality diamonds will have a pure, bright white appearance, whereas those lower in quality will have noticeable color, and to the untrained eye, this can be tricky to spot.
In the mid-1950s the Gemological Institute of America devised a color grade scale between D-Z, to regulate and define the color spectrum of diamonds. With D being completely colorless and Z being slightly yellow or brown in appearance. The color of the diamond has a huge impact on its value.
However, this rule is not to be confused with colored diamonds. Coloured diamonds are graded on a separate diamond color scale and can even be more rare or valuable than the diamond.
Diamond clarity is the assessment of imperfections on the surface or within the diamond. Inclusions are internal defects and are very common within most diamonds whereas flaws to the surface are known as blemishes. Diamonds with the least amount of defects will have a higher clarity grading. Inclusions can appear black, grey or white in appearance and are graded under x10 magnification.
Five grading factors which are considered are:Most diamonds are imperfect, however, our most popular grade is VS1 - VS2 as they appear almost flawless to the naked eye. This makes them a great option for good value.
Diamonds can come in a variety of shapes. Not to be confused with cut, the diamond shape refers to the shape it was cut into, and influences the entire look and feel of the diamond. This makes selecting your chosen shape a very personal choice.
Round diamonds tend to show more brilliance and scintillation than other shapes and are a popular choice due to their timeless appeal. However, as the wearer, you should ultimately choose a shape that suits you and that you love. Personal preference should always prevail when choosing your ideal shape.
A diamond’s anatomy, or structure, consists of eight components. They are diameter, table, crown, diamond's, pavilion, depth and culet. Anatomy is what helps determine a diamond's proportion, brilliance and scintillation. If you have a good understanding of each component, you will be able to find the perfect diamond.
Here is each component explained:
A diamond’s cut is what determines how well it sparkles. One that has an ideal cut will sparkle beautifully, while one that is poorly cut will lackluster. At Austen & Blake, we only sell diamonds with an excellent cut grading to guarantee that your diamond creates the most amount of sparkle.
An ideal cut diamond has perfect proportions, excellent polish and ideal symmetry. It is among the rarest cuts and requires precision and skill to create. Ideal cut diamonds are perfectly proportioned to reflect almost all the light that enters, allowing the diamond to produce plenty of fire and brilliance - creating the sparkle that we know and love.At Austen & Blake, confidence and credibility is important to us. Therefore, we provide diamond certification for every diamond in which we sell.
A diamond certification is an impartial summary of the authenticity of a diamond and the specifications, such as carat, clarity and cut, carried out by expert gemologists or diamond laboratories. This document is important as it provides the purchaser with reassurance that the diamond is as described by the seller.
Austen & Blake: Free of charge and issued by our in-house gemologist. This certificate displays carat weight, color, clarity of the diamonds, design number and diamond shapes (multi-stone options).
EGL (European Gemological Laboratory): A third-party option that is one of the few laboratories to group grade ready-made jewelry products. For example, our multi-stone products such as tennis bracelets and eternity rings.
IGI (International Gemological Institute) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America): World-renowned independent labs that are considered to be the strictest in the industry.
Certificates will display carat weight, color, clarity, diamond shape, cut, polish, symmetry, fluorescence levels, types of inclusions and certificate number.
As your certificate provides invaluable security in the case of loss, trade or resale, it is important to keep this document safe. Whenever the diamond may leave your possession (for example, to be cleaned) it is a good idea to remind the party taking possession of the diamond that you have a certificate. This should remove any temptation of third-party fraud.
Still have questions? Our experts are here to assist you.
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