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The highly coveted Diamond

Diamonds are classified internationally, according to the "4C" rule, that is to say 4 precise evaluation criteria allowing to judge the quality of a diamond. The most coveted diamonds combine the excellence of these 4 parameters:

Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat.  

These 4 criteria are not independent of each other, but are totally linked in the estimation of a diamond's value.

The cut of the Diamond

The cut of a diamond is essential because it has a direct influence on the brilliance of the stone. Even colorless and pure, a diamond will be dull if it is badly cut. It is its cut that allows it to make the best use of light and to reflect it.

The Round cut, also called Brilliant cut, is the most common on women's diamond rings, especially on diamond solitaires, but there are many different cuts and each one has its own interest.

 

The purity of the Diamond

Each stone is unique. Diamonds sometimes have growth accidents, tiny traces of other minerals that form tiny traces.

These "accidents", which are true imprints of nature, are called "inclusions" (color zones, ices, frosts, growth planes,...). Purity is determined by the number, size, location and visibility of these inclusions.
A diamond with few inclusions reflects light better. Flawless diamonds are highly sought after because they are extremely rare and therefore extremely expensive. Like color, clarity is codified by very precise international standards

  • IF (Internally flawless): purity under magnification, no inclusions detectable under magnification
  • VVS (very very small inclusions) : tiny inclusions, very difficult to detect with a magnifying glass
  • VS (very small inclusions) : Very small inclusions, difficult to detect with a magnifying glass
  • SI (small inclusions) : Small inclusions easily detectable with a magnifying glass
  • P1 (piqué 1) : Inclusions very easily visible with a magnifying glass, difficult to see with the naked eye from the side of the crown and not affecting the brightness
  • P2 (pitted 2): Large and/or numerous inclusions easily visible to the naked eye through the side of the crown and slightly affecting the brightness
  • P3 (pick 3): Large and/or numerous inclusions very easily visible to the naked eye from the side of the crown and distinctly affecting the gloss.

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Most diamonds appear colorless. In fact, they reflect a slight tinge of color, usually yellow, due to the presence of nitrogen. The most popular color is almost no color at all. Completely colorless diamonds are very rare. Diamonds are graded according to international standards on a scale of very subtle shades. 

  • D E : Exceptional white
  • F G H : White
  • I J : shaded white
  • K L : slightly tinted
  • M to Z : tinted

The Color of Diamond

There are however diamonds of all colors: yellow, pink, blue, red, orange, green, black, cognac, champagne, etc... Some colors are extremely rare, such as red, green, or certain intensities of blue or pink.  These diamonds with intense and varied colors are highly sought after and sometimes reach record prices, much higher than their equivalent in "white" colorless diamonds.

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The karat

The weight of gemstones in general is expressed in carat. This is the unit used internationally.

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