Diamond Value

There are four main factors by which the value and quality of a diamond is determined, and any combination of these factors will make it possible to understand the quality and the value of a diamond.

These factors are:

• Colour
• Clarity
• Cut
• Carat

Goldfinger Diamonds are checked for size, colour and clarity, they are symmetrically cut for maximum sparkle and will always be the colour and clarity and size stated.  Goldfinger will never knowingly buy conflict diamonds.

Diamonds are the hardest natural stones but under certain circumstances will scratch, but this is unlikely, also if you are unlucky enough to catch your bigger diamonds on the natural flaw they can sometimes chip or crack, make sure your diamonds are insured as this will be covered should this happen.  Let me reassure you that this has never happened to any engagement ring that Goldfinger has sold in 20 years of dealing direct with our public as we only buy from reputable dealers and choose the best quality stones.

Goldfinger Rings  offer colour G, clarity VS1 or colour H, clarity SI1 in their jewellery.  We can use other colour and clarities just contact Head Office for a quote.

Goldfinger engagement rings  can be ordered in a wide choice of colours and clarities please contact Head Office for a quote.

Goldfinger’s wedding rings will always be solid rings and the diamonds enclosed.  This keeps the diamonds as clean as possible and gives you maximum sparkle.  Because your wedding ring is a solid circle it can also be sized more easily and you can have an engraving message written inside.

Colour

Colour is the most important characteristic of a diamond and it is one of the key factors to be considered when determining the value of a diamond. The ideal colour is the total absence of all colour (colourless) except in fancy colours i.e. yellow, pink, blue, green, champagne, black, and the very rare red, where an intensive hue is an asset. A precise scale of colour grading is in general use today in the diamond trade, as defined by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA). The grades are distinguished by letters of the alphabet, beginning with the letter ‘D’

There are other colour grading scales used throughout the world but this is the most recognised.

Clarity

The clarity of a gemstone is assessed by the examination of imperfections, inclusions (internal objects) and blemishes (external marks) under magnification of x 10. Almost all diamonds contain minute traces of non crystallised carbon or small non-diamond crystals, and are nature’s fingerprint making each diamond unique. Most of them are not visible to the naked eye and need magnification to be apparent. However, the fewer there are the rarer the gemstone will be.

IF a diamond is termed loupe clean when an expert finds no internal defects with a x 10 loupe this means that the diamond does not contain any internal defects.

Other clarity grading scales are used throughout the world and this is the most recognised.

Cut

The cut of a diamond, its proportions and symmetry are of extraordinary importance as they have the greatest influence on the brilliance, liveliness or sparkle of a diamond. This is the one factor most directly influenced by man as the other three are dictated by nature. The most popular diamond shape is the round (brilliant cut). Other shapes such as princess, heart, pear and marquise etc. are known as ‘fancy’ cut. The cut and proportion of a stone in the diamond trade is also known as its ‘make’ and overall quality can be described as very good, good, medium or poor ‘make’.

When a diamond is ideally cut light rays from all sides are bent towards the centre of the stone and reflected back through the top in a blaze of light. When light enters a perfectly cut diamond it is reflected from facet to facet and comes back through the top.

If a diamond is not ideally cut light will ‘leak’ out through the base or side of the diamond. In a diamond which is cut too deep much of the light is reflected to opposite facets at the wrong angle and is lost through the sides. The diamond may appear black in the centre. In a diamond cut too shallow the light leaks through the bottom and the eye may see a dull reflection.

Both deep cut and shallow cut rely on the light passing through the diamond and may appear misty when worn and dirt on the back of the diamond obstructs the light.

Carat

The carat is a unit of weight, not size. One carat (1ct) weight 200 milligrains or 1/5 of a gram and is divided into 100 points so that a diamond of 50 points is described as half a carat or 0.50 carats. Carat weight (size) is the most obvious factor in determining the value of a diamond, but it is important to bear in mind that two stones of equal size can have very different values depending on their quality. In addition, it is important to understand that carat weight does not affect the value in diamonds proportionately, and the larger the stone the more disproportionate the increase in cost per carat.

Diamond Grading Report

A diamond grading report (or certificate) is issued by the Gem Trade Laboratories and is becoming more widely used for stones above 0.50 carat (half carat) but can start from 0.25 quarter carat. The purpose of the report is to confirm that the stone is genuine and to evaluate each of the important factors which affect quality, beauty, weight and thus the value. It is also useful for insurance purposes as the information which the report contains is critical to identify the individual diamond.

This section is dedicated to diamonds to help with basic knowledge of the diamonds to broaden your understanding of the main factors which determine the value and quality of a diamond.

Diamond properties:

The word ‘diamond’ comes from the Greek adamas, meaning unconquerable. It is the hardest mineral known to man, yet it has the simplest chemical composition, being crystallized carbon. The exact origin of diamonds is still something of a mystery. It is known that diamonds were created by nature more than 3 billion years ago. The elemental force of heat and pressure transform carbon into diamonds. The volcano in which this took place then erupts through the earth’s surface to cool in kimberlite or lamproile pipes where most diamonds are found today.

Approximately 250 tonnes of ore must be mined and processed from the average kimberlite pipe to produce a one carat polished gem quality diamond, which is one of the reasons why diamonds are so rare and valuable. 

Main diamond producing countries:

• Australia
• Angola
• Zaire
• Botswana
• Canada
• Russia
• South Africa
• Namibia

Main cutting centres: 

• Antwerp
• Bombay
• New York
• Tel Aviv