Buyers Guide to Diamonds

Round

VVS1, VVS2
Very Very Slightly Included: VVS graded stones have an absolute minimum of internal inclusions which are very difficult to view even under 10x magnification.

VS1, VS2
Very Slightly Included: VS graded stones contain some internal inclusions which are nearly impossible to see unless under 10x magnification.

SI1, SI2
Slightly Included: SI graded stones contain some inclusions which are visible under 10x magnification, and may be visible to the naked eye.

I1, I2, I3
Included: I graded stones contain inclusions which are visible to the naked eye. 

DIAMOND CUT
A good cut gives a diamond its brilliance, which is that brightness that seems to come from the very heart of a diamond. The angles and finish of any diamond are what determine its ability to handle light, which leads to brilliance.

As shown in the images below, when a diamond is well-cut, light enters through the table and travels to the pavilion where it reflects from one side to the other before reflecting back out of the diamond through the table and to the observer’s eye. This light is the brilliance we mentioned, and it’s this flashing, fiery effect that makes diamonds so mesmerising. 

In a poorly cut diamond, the light that enters through the table reaches the facets and then ‘leaks’ out from the sides or bottom of the diamond rather than reflecting back to the eye. Less light reflected back to the eye means less brilliance.

DIAMOND COLOUR

Colour grades apply to white diamonds. A clear diamond will reflect light in much the same way as a prism, dividing the light ray up into various areas of the color spectrum. This effect is what is referred to as “fire.” The presence of color in a diamond will decrease the intensity of the stone’s “dispersion” or “fire.” Similarly diamonds with little to no color will display the most intense “fire.” Diamond color is graded along an alphabetical scale starting with “D,” as follows:
D, E, F
Colourless: Diamonds which are graded D, E, or F are considered colourless, and are the most rare and expensive.

G & H
Near Colourless: Diamonds which are graded either G or H are considered near colourless. These stones in particular contain so little colour that it is barely noticeable to the naked eye.

I & J
Near Colourless: Diamonds which are graded either I or J are also considered near colourless. These stones have a slight amount of colour which may be evident to the naked eye.

  

 

 

In a poorly cut diamond, the light that enters through the table reaches the facets and then ‘leaks’ out from the sides or bottom of the diamond rather than reflecting back to the eye. Less light reflected back to the eye means less brilliance.�

Colour grades apply to white diamonds. A clear diamond will reflect light in much the same way as a prism, dividing the light ray up into various areas of the color spectrum. This effect is what is referred to as “fire.” The presence of color in a diamond will decrease the intensity of the stone’s “dispersion” or “fire.” Similarly diamonds with little to no color will display the most intense “fire.” Diamond color is graded along an alphabetical scale starting with “D,” as follows:
D, E, F
Colourless: Diamonds which are graded D, E, or F are considered colourless, and are the most rare and expensive.

Â

G & H
Near Colourless: Diamonds which are graded either G or H are considered near colourless. These stones in particular contain so little colour that it is barely noticeable to the naked eye.

I & J
Near Colourless: Diamonds which are graded either I or J are also considered near colourless. These stones have a slight amount of colour which may be evident to the naked eye.

 

 
A carat is a unit of measurement equivalent to 200mg which is used to weigh diamonds and gemstones. When considering what size diamond to choose, we suggest that you first decide on what your priorities are for choosing a stone. Usually it’s best to start with a budget for your diamond. Once you have decided on your budget, you can then decide whether you want the largest stone available in your budget, the stone with the best colour available in your budget, or perhaps a stone which represents the best combination of the various criteria.

DIAMOND CERTIFICATION
The majority of high quality diamonds are sent to an independent grading facility such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), to receive an official grading certificate.  At these laboratories, the diamond is examined by a gemologist who will determine the stone’s measurements and weight, and grade the cut, clarity, colour,  polish, symmetry, and a variety of the stone’s other characteristics.

MAINTENANCE
In order to ensure that your diamond jewellery looks its best, we advise that you clean it on a semi-regular basis. You will notice that over time, your diamond may begin to look dull or “foggy.” This is due to residue build-up on the stone and setting, often on the underside of your diamond. This residue is usually caused by hand lotions, soaps, and everyday dust and dirt. You can clean this residue from your diamonds in a variety of ways.  Along with regular cleaning, we also suggest that you treat your diamond jewellery with care.

At Banks Lyon, we stock a wide range of cuts and styles to suit every taste and pocket ensuring we can provide you with a diamond that meets, if not exceeds, your hopes and expectations. 

For more information please e-mail [email protected]

Asscher
For those of you always ahead of the latest fashion trend, the Asscher shape diamond may be the one for you.  First popular during the Art Deco era, it’s lately been making a big comeback. Like the Emerald shape, the Asscher is step-cut so colour and clarity are easier to detect than in brilliant-cut diamonds

Oval
An oval diamond has beautiful brilliance that’s similar to a round diamond. Oval diamonds are also very popular as their length can accentuate long, slender fingers.  The Oval shape shows very well and is proportionate to its carat weight. It’s also another good choice for coloured diamonds because it shows off colour very well.

Marquise
The marquise shape stone is an elongated shape with pointed ends. This shape looks spectacular on longer fingers and shows “big” proportionate to its carat weight. If you want the look of a larger stone, then this is the shape for you.

Heart
The heart is the ultimate symbol of love. The unique look of the heart-shaped diamond helps make it a distinctive choice for a variety of jewellery.

DIAMOND CLARITY
A diamond’s clarity is determined by identifying any imperfections within the body of the stone. There are a variety of identifiable types of diamond inclusions such as carbon spots, pinpoints, needles, and feathers. Diamonds with no internal inclusions are very rare, and are referred to as “flawless” diamonds. The majority of jewellery-quality diamonds have some degree of internal imperfection, and are graded as follows:
FL, IF
Flawless: Flawless stones contain no internal inclusions. FL graded stones have no external or internal inclusions. IF graded stones have no internal inclusions, but have some small degree of surface imperfection.