Just as you would when buying earth mined diamonds, it’s important to be aware of the 4C’s when buying lab grown diamond jewellery. These four key attributes determine the quality of the gemstone and are often reflected in the price. They include cut, colour, clarity and carat weight.
Cut- The cut of a diamond holds paramount importance as it directly influences the gemstone’s brilliance and sparkle. It does not refer to the diamond’s shape, such as round, princess or oval, but the quality of the diamond’s precision, symmetry and polish. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) rates diamond cuts on a scale from Excellent to Poor. At Labgrown.Diamonds, our aim is to deliver diamonds with an Excellent or Very Good cut.
Colour- The colour of diamond refers to exactly that, it’s colour or lack of it. Natural diamonds can sometimes be found with a subtle, yellow tint but it is completely colourless diamonds that are the most coveted. The GIA employs a letter scale to grade a diamond’s colour from D (colourless) to X (light yellow or brown). At Labgrown.Diamonds, we exclusively use colourless diamonds graded D, E, or F.
Clarity- The clarity of a diamond refers to its imperfections. Yes, even diamonds can have inclusions or blemishes. These flaws are graded under 10x magnification, spanning from Flawless (no visible imperfections) to Included (inclusions and blemishes visible to the naked eye). Flawless diamonds are highly sought after, as are those with slight inclusions falling between clarity ratings of VVS1 (Very, Very Slightly Included) and VS2 (Very Slightly Included). At Labgrown.Diamonds, all our diamond jewellery is graded with clarity rating of VVS1, VVS2, VS1, or VS2.
Carat- Finally, the most widely known feature of the diamond 4C’s is carat. This does not refer to the height or width of the gemstone, but its total weight. Carat is a unit of weight with one carat equivalent to 0.20 grams. Larger diamonds are typically more valuable, but other factors such as cut, colour, and clarity will also play a crucial role in a diamond's value.
When buying lab grown diamonds through a reputed retailer, these 4C’s will be graded and certified by an independent gemmological laboratory. The grading report or certificate is an essential document that provides detailed information about the quality and characteristics of the diamond including its carat weight, colour, cut and clarity.
Two of the best-known, most respected laboratories include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the International Gemological Institute (IGI). There are other lesser-known laboratories out there, so it’s always important to check the credibility of the issuing lab when reviewing a diamond certification.
You should always ensure the diamond, whether it be a natural diamond or a lab grown diamond, comes with a certificate or grading report. This provides you with assurance about the quality and authenticity of the gemstone and may be required for insurance and ownership purposes.
