Posts Tagged ‘4 Cs’

Diamonds – Does Size Really Matter?

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

When it comes to diamonds, it’s long been thought that bigger is better. But is that always the case? In some instances it’s perfectly possible for smaller diamond rings to be just as good (if not better) as larger ones, provided you choose wisely.

The size of a diamond is measured in carats, and generally speaking the higher the number of carats the larger, more expensive and “better” it’s deemed to be. But, you still need to take into account other factors before you can decide if these diamond rings are right for you.

When you’re choosing your perfect diamond rings, it’s often just as much about cut, colour and clarity as it is about carats. There’s no good having a huge rock if it’s full of inflections and isn’t the stunningly clear colour that you want it to be, so you always need to consider these other important facets as they can make all the difference between a good diamond and a bad one.

18ct white gold diamond cluster ring 0.46ctThen there’s the fact that if you get cluster rings, for example, you’ll need smaller diamonds to have the right level of impact. Several smaller diamonds clustered together can look just as stunning as one big one, and if they’re all of exceptional colour and clarity you’ve got a ring you can be proud of.

So, in the world of diamonds, bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better. But it still can’t be denied that there’s something about having a huge rock on your finger, so if you want diamond rings that have the carat, colour, clarity and cut that you’re looking for, make sure to come to us here at ROX and we’ll gladly point you in the right direction.

Diamonds – The Four Cs

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

Diamonds are assessed and graded by experts within the diamond industry according to the “four Cs”: cut, clarity, colour and carat (weight). If you may soon be visiting a jewellery store to shop for diamond rings, it can be helpful to know a little about these criteria.

Cut

Contrary to popular belief, the ‘cut’ of a diamond refers to its reflective qualities rather than its shape. The brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on its cut, so the angles and finish of any diamond are the key factors in its ability to negotiate light. A good cut gives a diamond that magical brightness that seems to emanate from deep inside itself.

9ct white gold diamond twist ring 0.08ctClarity

Most diamonds contain some minor imperfections that have occurred during their formation. Industry experts call these imperfections ‘inclusions’.  The number, size and visibility of these inclusions are what determine the overall clarity of a diamond. Diamonds rings which are free of inclusions are fantastically brilliant and so are very highly sought after.

Colour

A colourless diamond allows more light to pass through it than a coloured diamond and so creates a greater sparkle. Completely colourless diamonds are rare so the more “white” a diamond’s colour is, the greater its value.

Carat Weight

A carat is the unit of weight by which diamond jewellery is measured, with one carat being equal to 0.2 grams (200 milligrams). Larger diamonds have a greater value per carat as they are discovered much less frequently than smaller diamonds.