Diamonds and certificates

DIAMONDS

The most valuable of all precious stones

Diamonds are formed inside the Earth from crystalline carbon minerals under extremely high temperatures and pressures. Because diamonds are a product of nature, each stone has unique characteristics. It is generally accepted that the value of a diamond is determined based on four parameters, known as the “4Cs,” namely:

  • Color
  • Clarity
  • Cut
  • Carat

Color

Natural diamonds can be found in a wide range of colors. Colorless (white) diamonds are definitely the most sought after, but unfortunately they are the rarest, which makes them the most valuable of all gemstones. Diamond color is graded on a scale from D to Z, which is divided into four categories: white (colorless), nearly colorless, slightly yellow, and yellow.

 

 

WHITE (COLORLESS)

Stones in this category are completely colorless. Only in class F stones can an expert's trained eye detect a subtle color reflection under laboratory conditions, which is completely imperceptible to the average observer.

ALMOST COLORLES

Only an expert under the right conditions can see the subtle color reflections. However, when the stone is set in a frame, it appears crystal clear and the color is imperceptible.

ALMOST COLORLESS

Only an expert under the right conditions can see the subtle color reflections. However, when the stone is set in a frame, it appears crystal clear and the color is imperceptible.

 

CLARITY

Diamonds are created by the forces of nature, so it is completely natural that stones may have minor imperfections—impurities known as inclusions. Their quantity and type affect the stone's grade, which is determined on a 5-point scale: IF (internally flawless), VVS (very very slightly included), VS (very slightly included), SI (slightly included) or P (imperfect).

When choosing a diamond ring, opt for SI1 or SI2 clarity – minor imperfections are invisible to the naked eye, and the value for money is very good. That is why the rings in our offer are decorated with stones of this class. Of course, the clearer the diamond, the higher its price, which is often the main factor influencing the price of the stone.

 

DIAMOND CUT

The cut is the most important factor influencing the final beauty of a diamond, as it determines how the diamond will reflect light. A well-cut stone will reflect light in thousands of reflections and will also appear larger than other diamonds of the same weight.
The cut is assessed based on proportion, symmetry, and type of cut, with each factor rated on a 4-point scale: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair. The most popular jewelry cut for diamonds is the brilliant cut, invented in the 17th century, which is where the name “brilliant” comes from.

 

 

CARAT

It is a unit of weight for diamonds, 1 carat (abbreviation ct) corresponds to 0.20g, a 1-carat diamond weighs 100 points. Although the size of a diamond in carats has a significant impact on the value of the stone, it is the cut and clarity that are its most important parameters.

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DIAMOND AND A BRILLIANT?

A diamond is a natural stone extracted from the earth, while a brilliant is a diamond that has already been cut in a brilliant cut. Every brilliant is therefore a diamond. The diamond jewelry you find in jewelry stores is decorated with diamonds that have already been cut.

Thanks to their excellent qualities, brilliant-cut diamonds are the most popular, and these are mainly what we offer. Considered the pinnacle of jewelry artistry, the classic brilliant cut contains no less than 58 facets: 33 in the crown and 25 in the base, and a stone cut in this way, when viewed from above, is round. Diamonds with other cuts are still referred to as diamonds. Other popular diamond cuts:

 

DIAMOND QUALITY CERTIFICATE

Jewelry decorated with natural stones should come with a certificate of authenticity. The certificate is a description of the stone's parameters, including information about its weight, color, shape, clarity, type of cut, quality of cut, and much more information about the jewelry.

WHO CAN ISSUE THE CERTIFICATE?

A diamond certificate can be issued by a diamond appraiser and companies authorized to issue such documents. Each diamond should be accompanied by a certificate issued by certified jewelry appraisers. Stones up to approximately 0.50ct usually have a certificate issued by a jewelry company, based on a collective certificate. With us, you will receive an individual, international certificate for stones weighing 40ct or more. The document guarantees the quality and confirms the authenticity of the stone you are purchasing.

 

International gemological institutes:

  • GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF AMERICA GIA In the 1940s, GIA created the International Diamond Grading System TM based on the so-called 4Cs

 

  • INTERNATIONAL GEMOLOGICAL INSTITUTE IGI was founded in 1945, and its first laboratory was established in Antwerp. Currently, IGI has the largest number of branches scattered around the world.

 

  • HRD ANTWERP The Diamond High Council (Hoge Raad coor Diamant) was established in 1973.