How to select diamonds

 

When choosing your stone, choose one where you can actually see the quality. The four ‘C’s (below) is how the experts differentiate.

 

1. Cut: Shape and proportion.

 

2. Clarity: Marks or inclusions. They can be internal or on the surface. The location, and how apparent they are is also important.

 

3. Colour: How close to white.

 

4. Carat: Diamonds are weighed in Carats. ¼ carat is 25points.

 

Then there’s rarity. A diamond can be rare in one or more ofthe four ‘C’s. For example, most diamonds have a hint of colour in them andsmaller number have almost no colour. A tiny number are pretty close to purewhite – these are the rarest.

 

Because they are made by nature, no two are exactly alike.

 

Select the cut and stone that you love

Measurements are not the only way to choose. A broader top facet (or table) will make the stone appear larger, whilst a smaller table will enhance the “fire” (twinkliness) of the diamond. Despite these differences, both styles may have the same diamond grading laboratory rating. Choose which is more important to you.

 

For the same stone, you could choose an emerald cut with less “twinkliness” but large 'flash', or a rectangular radiant cut, with scintillation but no "flash".

 

Clarity is subjective

Clarity grading is inexact. No reliable machine exists to accurately judge diamond clarity. Look at diamonds and choose one you love.

 

Common traps

* Different size diamonds may have the same clarity grade but look quite different. A large diamond may have the same clarity grade as a small one, even though the number and size of inclusions is greater. This is because the test compares the inclusions to diamond diameter.

* Open-faced diamonds such as emerald cuts have big open "windows" so inclusions are more obvious than you might expect for the clarity grade.

 

Cut affects colour

The cut should help you achieve what you want from your stone; it’s a balancing act between the four C’s; Cut Clarity Colour and Carat. Your choices may not be the same as someone else’s. Our designers will work with you to select the stone and the cut that works best for you.

A stone with better proportion will be brighter face up and so look whiter. This is partly why stones are colour-graded face down.

 

Common traps

You may see branded diamonds cut to the brand style. They are cut to a specific pattern, only seen with a special viewer. This pattern is not visible when a diamond is set into jewellery. Brand cuts:

* might mean that you end up with the smallest stone for your budget,

* remove other important options, such as trading off a different aspect against size. Most buyers prefer something in between, a balance that satisfies quality vs size preferences

* are a marker for symmetry not proportion, so a branded diamond may not be ideal cut.

* often leak light and are therefore darker

* Diamond are created by nature, no fashionable cut will fit every stone perfectly.

 

Despite all this, branded diamonds typically cost more.

 

Carat weight is worth considering too

Of all diamond parameters, size is the one thing that everyone can see for themselves. Don’t be pressured into choosing higher grade, colour or clarity you might not be able to see, at the expense of a larger size. The choice is yours to make, and no 'expert' should try to influence your decision.

 

 

Coloured Stones

 

At Sublime Jewels, we love colour. Coloured Stones are a joy and delight. Each has it’s own attributes and properties, and we source them from all over the world. Their value depends on the 4 Cs (like diamonds), rarity, and the difficulty in sourcing them from far flung lands.

 

The hardness of Coloured stones is graded on the Moh scale. Diamonds are the hardest, but even diamonds can crack, be brittle, or chip along an inclusion. Softer stones need more protection from everyday wear. Some are pourous, and even water can damage them. Pearls and Amber are the productsof live creatures (Oysters, and ancient tree sap), and require special care. We will help you choose the perfect stone for how you wear your jewellery.

 

Metals

 

Precious Metals are chosen because of their rarity. Each hasits own working characteristics making it suitable for different techniques. We work in a number of metals and will help you choose what will work best. Some examples are;

 

Platinum

Yellow gold

White gold

Sterling silver

Mokume gane

Rhodium plating

24karat

22karat

18karat

9karat