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We believe in the importance of empowering our clients with the knowledge to make wise and informed decisions when purchasing a diamond. Diamonds possess key characteristics which set them apart from other precious gemstones. Becoming familiar with these characteristics will enable you to prioritize your needs and desires with confidence and make your decision with ease.
“Facet” is the term used for a flat part of a cut and polished diamond. In a round brilliant diamond, there are 57 or 58 facets.
The diameter is the width of a cut and polished diamond at its widest part. When looking at a diamond from the top, this is the distance from one side to the other.
The table is the top horizontal facet of a diamond. The average table size is expressed as a percentage of a diamond’s average girdle diameter. The table is very important because it’s usually the largest facet, which helps light to enter and exit a diamond.
The depth of a diamond is measured from the table to the culet. The total depth is expressed as a percentage of a diamond’s depth when compared to its average girdle diameter. The depth is very important because it helps ensure light is refracted from one facet to another, and dispersed through the top of a diamond.
The girdle is the widest part of a diamond that separates the crown from the pavilion. It is where a diamond is held when set in jewellery. The girdle thickness is described as a range from extremely thin to extremely thick. If the girdle is too thick, it can negatively affect a diamond’s sparkle while also adding unnecessary weight, increasing its price. If the girdle is too thin, a diamond may be more prone to chipping or breaking.
The crown is the upper portion of a diamond, from the table to the top edge of the girdle. It contains bezel, star, and upper girdle facets that gather and disperse light throughout the diamond.
The pavilion is the lower portion of a diamond, from the bottom edge of the girdle to the culet. It contains lower girdle and pavilion facets that reflect light back through the crown of a diamond.
The culet is the small facet at the bottom of a diamond intended to prevent damage to its point. The size of a diamond’s culet can affect it’s face-up appearance.
Diamonds have a standard unit of measurements: carats. Make sure you don’t confuse carat with karat (the purity of gold).
The weight of a diamond is the most obvious factor in determining its value. As a diamond’s weight increases, so does its value.
It’s important to know that the carat weight of a diamond does not always equal its size. For instance, a poorly cut 1.00 carat diamond may actually look like a 0.80 carat diamond!
Truly colourless diamonds are extremely rare. On the GIA colour scale, diamonds are graded on a range from “D” to “Z.” The value of a diamond decreases as the colour of that diamond increases. The closer a diamond is to a “D” colour, the more valuable it is. The best way to determine which colour is most appealing to you is to view a selection of differently graded diamonds side by side. There is no “perfect colour” – it really depends on your personal preference.
The clarity of a diamond refers to the absence or existence of imperfections or clarity characteristics of that diamond. Because diamonds are formed under extreme conditions, they often contain imperfections that may or may not be seen with the naked eye. Internal imperfections are called inclusions, while those on the surface of a diamond are called blemishes.
Clarity is graded using the GIA Diamond Grading Scale from “Flawless” (FL) to “Included” (I). Flawless diamonds are the rarest, and therefore the highest valued.
No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader under 10x magnification.
Only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader under 10x magnification.
Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.
Inclusions are minor and range from difficult to somewhat easy for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.
Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader under 10x magnification.
Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance of the diamond.
The cut of a diamond refers to the way light is refracted through each facet and angle. The higher a diamond’s cut, the more light returns to the eye, and the more appealing its appearance and quality. A diamond’s cut is graded on a scale from excellent to poor.
If a diamond is cut too shallow, the light escapes through the pavilion.
If a diamond is cut too deep, the light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion.
When cut to good proportions, the light is reflected from one facet to another, then dispersed through the top of the stone. This affects a diamond’s overall sparkle.
The polish of a diamond refers to the overall finish of that diamond after cutting it from a rough stone. Like a diamond’s cut, polish is graded on a scale from excellent to poor.
Also graded on a scale from excellent to poor, the symmetry of a diamond is based on how well the facets are aligned within the stone. A symmetrical diamond has even displays of brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
The depth and table percentages of a diamond affect its proportions and cut grade. The tables below show the range of depth and table percentages for each cut grade and diamond shape.
| Round | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 53 – 58 | 52 – 60 | 51 - 54 | 50 - 69 | < 50 - > 69 |
| Depth % | 59 – 62.3 | 58 – 63.5 | 57.5 – 64.1 | 56.5 – 65 | < 56.5 - > 65 |
| Oval | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 53 – 63 | 52 – 65 | 51 – 68 | 50 - 70 | < 50 - > 70 |
| Depth % | 58 - 62 | 56 – 66 | 53 – 71 | 50 – 74 | < 50 - > 74 |
| Marquise | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 53 – 63 | 52 – 65 | 51 – 68 | 50 - 70 | < 50 - > 70 |
| Depth % | 58 - 62 | 56 – 66 | 53 – 71 | 50 – 74 | < 50 - > 74 |
| Pear | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 53 – 63 | 52 – 65 | 51 – 68 | 50 - 70 | < 50 - > 70 |
| Depth % | 58 - 62 | 56 – 66 | 53 – 71 | 50 – 74 | < 50 - > 74 |
| Emerald | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 61 – 69 | 57 – 72 | 54 – 74 | 51 – 79 | < 51 - > 79 |
| Depth % | 61 – 67 | 57 – 72 | 54 – 74 | 54 – 79 | < 54 - > 79 |
| Asscher | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 61 – 69 | 57 – 72 | 54 – 74 | 51 – 79 | < 51 - > 79 |
| Depth % | 61 – 69 | 57 – 72 | 54 – 74 | 54 – 79 | < 54 - > 79 |
| Cushion | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 61 – 67 | 58 – 70 | 56 – 71 | 54 - 73 | < 54 - > 73 |
| Depth % | 61 – 67 | 58 – 70 | 56 – 71 | 54 - 73 | < 54 - > 73 |
| Radiant | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 61 – 69 | 57 – 72 | 54 – 74 | 51 – 79 | < 51 - > 79 |
| Depth % | 61 – 69 | 57 – 72 | 54 – 74 | 54 – 79 | < 54 - > 79 |
| Heart | Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 53 – 63 | 52 – 65 | 51 – 68 | 50 – 70 | < 50 - > 70 |
| Depth % | 58 – 62 | 56 – 66 | 53 – 71 | 50 – 74 | < 50 - > 74 |
A diamond certificate, or gemological laboratory grading report, is a document prepared by highly trained and impartial diamond professionals with advanced tools and technologies. It is a complete analysis of a stone and accurately documents specifics such as carat weight, cut, clarity and colour grades. It does not attach any monetary value to the diamond because the report is designed to be an accurate grading of that diamond, regardless of the market at any particular time.
ADX places its trust in the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is considered to be the worldwide authority for evaluating diamond quality. GIA created the 4 C’s diamond grading system, setting the standard for grading and identification practices used around the world. At ADX, you can be assured that your diamond is ethically sourced and graded by exceptional international standards.
THE ADX EXPERIENCE
At Alberta Diamond Exchange, our difference is your experience. We believe that A Client is Forever, and the care and attention given to each client reflects that. We love what we do and are happy to extend that passion to our clients.
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