Diamond carat refers to the weight of a diamond, not its size. The term "carat" originates from the carob seeds that were historically used as balance scales to measure precious stones. It's important to note that carat weight doesn't directly translate to size, as the cut, shape, and depth of a diamond can influence its overall appearance.

When assessing diamonds, carat weight is one of the "Four Cs" (along with cut, colour, and clarity) used to determine the stone's quality and value.

Diamond colour refers to the presence or absence of colour in white diamonds. Diamonds are graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Truly colourless diamonds, graded as D, are rare and highly valued, while diamonds with noticeable colour, closer to the Z grade, are less valuable.

The colour of a diamond can affect its brilliance as colours can act as a filter, impacting the spectrum of light emitted. When evaluating diamonds, colour is one of the "Four Cs" (along with carat, cut, and clarity) used to determine the stone's quality and value.

Diamond clarity refers to the presence of internal or external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes, respectively. These imperfections can range from tiny, nearly invisible flaws to noticeable marks. Clarity grades vary from "Flawless" (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to "Included" (inclusions and/or blemishes visible to the naked eye).

Most diamonds have imperfections that are microscopic and do not affect the stone's beauty to the unaided eye. Clarity is one of the "Four Cs" (along with carat, cut, and colour) used to assess a diamond's quality and value.

Diamond cut refers to how well a diamond has been shaped and faceted, impacting its overall brilliance and appearance. It encompasses proportions, symmetry, and polish, determining how efficiently the diamond captures light and reflects it back to the viewer's eye. A well-cut diamond will exhibit brilliance (the total light reflected), fire (the dispersion of light into colours), and scintillation (the pattern of light and dark areas and the flashes of light or sparkle).

The quality of the cut is graded from Excellent to Poor. Among the "Four Cs" (carat, colour, clarity, and cut), the cut is crucial as it directly influences a diamond's sparkle and overall aesthetic appeal.

Diamond certification is a document provided by an accredited gemological laboratory that details a diamond's specific characteristics and quality attributes. The certificate includes information about the diamond's carat weight, cut quality, color grade, clarity grade, and other identifying features such as fluorescence and inclusions. It serves as an objective assessment and verification of a diamond's attributes and can be invaluable for insurance, resale, and ensuring consumers are getting a genuine product.

When purchasing a diamond, it's recommended to choose one that has been certified by a reputable laboratory to guarantee its authenticity and value.

Diamond polish refers to the smoothness of the diamond's surface after it has been faceted in the cutting process. It evaluates the quality of the finish on the diamond's facets, with imperfections ranging from tiny lines to surface graininess. High-quality polish enhances the diamond's ability to reflect light, maximising its brilliance.

Polish is graded on a scale ranging from "Excellent" to "Poor". While minor polish imperfections are often microscopic and challenging to discern with the naked eye, they can influence the overall quality and value of the diamond, especially in higher-grade stones.

Diamond symmetry refers to the precise arrangement and evenness of a diamond's facets and their alignment to one another. It evaluates how the facets of a diamond intersect, the alignment of the table in relation to the girdle, and the balance and uniformity of the stone's overall shape.

Proper symmetry ensures optimal reflection and refraction of light within the diamond, enhancing its brilliance and fire. Flaws in symmetry, such as misaligned facets or an off-center culet, can compromise a diamond's light performance. When grading a diamond, symmetry is assessed on a scale, with grades ranging from "Excellent" to "Poor".

Diamond fluorescence refers to a diamond's ability to emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Not all diamonds exhibit fluorescence, but for those that do, the light they emit can range in intensity from faint to very strong and can appear in various colours, with blue being the most common.

While fluorescence can sometimes enhance a diamond's appearance, making lower-colour diamonds look whiter under certain lighting conditions, it can also potentially cause a hazy or oily look in some stones. The presence and strength of fluorescence is a factor considered in the overall grading and valuation of diamonds.

The diamond table refers to the large flat facet on the top of a diamond, serving as a window into its interior. It's the largest facet on a diamond and plays a crucial role in determining the stone's brilliance.

The size of the table, typically represented as a percentage relative to the diamond's width, affects how light enters and exits the diamond. An ideally proportioned table allows for maximum light return, enhancing the diamond's sparkle and overall appearance. The table size, in conjunction with other factors like depth and angles, is vital in achieving optimal light performance, making it a key consideration in diamond grading.

Diamond depth refers to the height of the diamond, measured from the culet (the point or bottom facet) to the table (the top flat facet). Expressed as a percentage of the diamond's overall diameter, depth is crucial in determining how light travels within the diamond and subsequently, its brilliance and fire.

A diamond that's too shallow or too deep can cause light to escape through the sides or bottom, reducing its sparkle. The ideal depth percentage varies based on the diamond's cut and shape. Alongside other factors like table size, angles, and facet arrangement, depth plays a pivotal role in the overall light performance and appearance of the diamond.

Select the perfect diamond shape to complement your hand. For shorter fingers, elongated shapes like oval, marquise, or pear can create a lengthening effect. Wider fingers pair beautifully with round, cushion, or emerald cuts for a balanced look. If you prefer a bold, modern style, the princess or Asscher cuts with their clean lines are a great choice.