Diamond Education

At Impeccable Jewellery we believe that Diamonds are both a symbol of Love and an Investment. The purchase of a diamond is best performed when you know all the facts about diamond selection and value.

At Impeccable we buy from the best sources at the best pricing available and because we have low overhead and great knowledge of the Industry we are able to provide you with exceptional Quality and Value.

We always have an exceptional selection of Estate and previously worn fine jewellery in Silver, Gold and Platinum with very special pricing. The overview below provides a great reference for diamond education and we encourage you to avail yourself of this knowledge and allow us to assist in your purchase anyway we are able.

ROUND

The round brilliant cut diamond is by far the most popular and most researched diamond shape available today. For almost 100 years, diamond cutters have been using advanced theories of light behaviour and precise mathematical calculations to optimize the fire and brilliance in a round diamond. In addition to being the most popular and researched shape, a round diamond will typically give you more flexibility in terms of balancing cut, color, and clarity grades while still getting the fire and brilliance you want.

To maximize the brilliance of a traditional round diamond, select one in the two highest cut grades, ideal or very good, and choose ideal, excellent, or very good polish and symmetry grades. For the finest ideal round diamonds available, view the Impeccable Jeweller Certified Diamond collection.

PRINCESS

This is our most popular non-round diamond. Its beautiful brilliance and unique cut makes it a favourite for engagement rings. The princess has pointed corners and is traditionally square in shape. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color non-round diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners. Also, princess-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are. To find the dimension of princess you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond’s detail page. This will determine what the diamond will look like when viewing it from above. Here are length-to-width ratios for princess-cut diamond shapes that are pleasing to the eye.

For a princess diamond (shape that is square), look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer more of a rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.10. For the most brilliant princess available, view our certified diamonds page.

EMERALD

What makes this shape different is its pavilion, which is cut with rectangular facets to create a unique optical appearance. Due to its larger, open table, this shape highlights the clarity of a diamond. If you choose an emerald-cut with a lower clarity grade, such as SI, be sure to review the clarity plot on the diamond certificate. Also, emerald-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how rectangular they are. If you’d prefer an emerald cut with a squared outline, look for an Asscher-cut diamond. To find the shape of emerald you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond’s detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, or what it will look like when viewed from the top.

For the classic emerald-cut shape, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.30 and 1.40. For the highest standard of craftsmanship available in an emerald-cut diamond, view the Impeccable Jeweller certified Diamonds collection.

ASSCHER

This beautifully unique shape is nearly identical to the emerald-cut, except that it is square. Also, this shape has a pavilion that is cut with rectangular facets in the same style as the emerald-cut. If you choose SI-clarity be sure to view the clarity plot on the diamond certificate, because this shape highlights the clarity of the diamond. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color non-round diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners.

All Asscher-cut diamonds from Impeccable Jeweller will appear square, because each one is guaranteed to have a length-to-width ratio between 1.00 and 1.05. For our ideal Asscher-cut diamond, view the Impeccable Jeweller Certified Collection.

MARQUISE

The shape of a marquise diamond can maximize carat weight, giving you a much larger-looking diamond. This brilliant-cut diamond looks beautiful set with round or pear-shaped side stones, and the length of the marquise makes fingers appear long and slender. To find the dimension of marquise you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond’s detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, or what it will look like when viewed from the top.

For the most traditional marquise-cut diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.75 and 2.25

OVAL

An oval diamond has beautiful brilliance that’s similar to a round diamond. Oval diamonds are also very popular as their length can accentuate long, slender fingers. To find the dimension of oval you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond’s detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, or what it will look like when viewed from the top.

For the most traditional oval diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.33 and 1.66.

BRILLIANT

This brilliant-cut diamond is also called a teardrop for its single point and rounded end. The unique look of the pear shape helps make it a popular choice for a variety of diamond jewellery. If you choose an elongated pear shape, the length of the diamond creates a subtle slimming effect on the fingers.

To understand what the diamond will look like when viewing it from above, look for the length-to-width ratio on each diamond’s detail page. For the most traditional pear-shaped diamond, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.45 and 1.75.

HEART

The heart is the ultimate symbol of love. The unique look of the heart-shaped diamond helps make it a distinctive choice for a variety of diamond jewellery. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color heart shaped diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners. To find the dimension of heart-shape you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond’s detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, or what it will look like when viewed from the top.

For a more traditional heart-shaped diamond, look for length-to-width ratios between .90 and 1.10.

CUSHION

This unique shape has been popular for more than a century. Cushion-cut diamonds (also known as “pillow-cut” diamonds) have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. These larger facets highlight the diamond’s clarity, so if you choose an SI clarity grade, be sure to review the clarity plot on the diamond certificate. Cushion-cut diamonds are available in shapes ranging from square to rectangular. To find the dimension of cushion you want, look for the length-to-width ratio> in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond’s detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, or what it will look like when viewed from the top.

For a cushion-cut diamond that is square, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer more of a rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.15.

CLARITY

Clarity is a measure of the number and size of the tiny imperfections that occur in almost all diamonds.
Many of these imperfections are microscopic, and do not affect a diamond’s beauty in any discernible way.

Much is made of a diamond’s clarity, but of the Four Cs, it is the easiest to understand, and, according to many experts, generally has the least impact on a diamond’s appearance. Clarity simply refers to the tiny, natural imperfections that occur in all but the finest diamonds. Gemologists refer to these imperfections by a variety of technical names, including blemishes and inclusions, among others. Diamonds with the least and smallest imperfections receive the highest clarity grades. Because these imperfections tend to be microscopic, they do not generally affect a diamond’s beauty in any discernible way.

Which Clarity Diamond Is Right For Me?

Select an “eye-clean” diamond – one that has no imperfections visible to the unaided-eye through the crown. An excellent value, diamonds of this clarity are much less expensive than flawless (FL) to Very Very slightly included (VVS1) diamonds, which are extremely rare and command higher prices.
Frequently, imperfections in diamonds graded slightly included (SI1/2) are not visible to the unaided eye, making them an excellent value for money. If you’re considering a diamond with an SI1/2 clarity grade, you can speak to our customer care assistant to guide you towards choosing the best one from our available stock.

What are others Jewellery Stores Offering?

Most of the online retailers offer SI1 to I3 grade diamonds; although the picture may or may not depict the actual product they are selling. Every diamond clarity/quality has its own price, so 98% of customers who are buying online see only a picture, and a picture can be very misleading! It is always requested you buy from professional retailers and make sure you know exactly what you are buying.

We offer almost every quality of loose diamonds, depicting the truth that every quality has its price and value.

CUT

Cut is a diamond’s most important characteristic.
It has the greatest overall influence on a diamond’s beauty.
It determines what we generally think of as sparkle.

As an Expert gemologist, We recommend selecting the highest cut grade within your budget. The reason is simple: of the Four Cs, no other characteristic has a greater influence on a diamond’s appearance.

A diamond’s cut grade is an objective measure of a diamond’s light performance, or, what we generally think of as sparkle. When a diamond is cut with the proper proportions, light is returned out of the top of the diamond (which gemologists refer to as the table). If it is cut too shallow, light leaks out of the bottom; too deep and it escapes out of the side.

What Cut Grade Is Right For Me?

For the best possible cut, look for the Ideal or Excellent Cut. Each higher cut diamond is hand-selected and cut to the most exacting standards, guaranteeing one of the finest cuts available in the world. Diamonds with a cut grade of good or very good represent an excellent combination of beauty and value.

To learn even more about cut, including technical information on light performance, brilliance, fire, polish and symmetry, please call us or mail us your queries.

CARAT

A unit of weight for a diamond. Equivalent to 200 milligrams, or one-fifth of a gram.

Carat is specifically a measure of a diamond’s weight, and by itself may not accurately reflect a diamond’s size.
We tend to evaluate diamond size by viewing it from the top because that is how diamonds are presented to us when set into a ring.
To understand diamond size, carat weight should be considered in conjunction with two other criteria:

1. Distance in millimetres across the top of the diamond.

2. Diamond’s cut grade.

Diamond Carat Size Chart

This print out illustrates how diamonds of different carat weights and shapes will appear when viewed from the top down.

Your diamond may differ from the printout in length/width ratio, table, and depth.

As the name suggests, carat weight specifically refers to a diamond’s weight. However, much as a person’s weight does not necessarily correlate with height, carat weight, by itself, may not accurately reflect a diamond’s size. To gain a precise understanding of diamond size,

We, at Impeccable Jewellery recommend considering carat weight with two other characteristics: 1) the distance across the top of the diamond measured in millimetres, and 2) the diamond’s cut grade.

It is important to measure the distance across the top of the diamond as this is how we view a stone when set into a ring. A diamond’s cut grade should also be considered because, as we noted in the cut grade section, when a diamond is cut with the proper proportions, the maximum amount of light (or sparkle) is returned out of the top of the diamond. Thus, when a diamond is well cut, the light reflected out of the top makes it appear larger.

In addition, much of the weight of a poorly cut diamond, for example, may be “hidden” in the base of the diamond, making the diamond appear smaller than its carat weight would imply. It is therefore possible to have a diamond of a lower carat weight, but higher cut grade which appears larger than a diamond with a larger carat weight, but poor cut.

Once you’ve selected your cut, color, and clarity grade, it’s easy to determine the carat weight of diamond that will fit within your budget. Much as there are 100 pennies in a dollar, a one-carat diamond is comprised of 100 points. Hence, 50 points is equal to 1/2-carat, and so on.

Download PDF

What Carat Weight Is Right For Me?

To choose the best carat weight of diamond, consider the size of her finger, the size of your setting, and your budget.
If a large carat weight is important to you, yet you’re working within a strict budget, consider a diamond with a good cut, SI1-SI2 clarity, and an I or J color grade.
Diamond prices jump at the full- and half-carat weights. Diamonds just below these weights cost significantly less, and, because carat weight is distributed across the entirety of the diamond, small size differences are almost impossible to detect.
Keep in mind that the smaller the finger, the larger the diamond will appear. A 1.5-carat diamond solitaire looks much larger on a size 4 finger than a size 8.
Not all settings will fit all diamond carats or shapes. If you have already selected a setting, check the diamond specifications of your ring or ask us for help. If you need a special jewellery piece created, Impeccable Jeweller can accommodate almost any request.

colour chart

Colour

Color manifests itself in a diamond as a pale yellow. This is why a diamond’s color grade is based on its lack of color. The less color a diamond has, the higher its color grade. After cut, color is generally considered the second most important characteristic when selecting a diamond. This is because the human eye tends to detect a diamond’s sparkle (light performance) first, and color second.

Color refers to a diamond’s lack of color, grading the whiteness of a diamond.
A color grade of D is the highest possible, while Z is the lowest.
Impeccable Jeweller only sells diamonds with a color grade of K or higher.

A grade given to a diamond to describe the subtle tones of color in a stone. D is perfectly colorless, the most rare and expensive color. As you go from D to Z on the normal color scale, it indicates increasing levels of yellow and/or brown tones. It takes a trained eye under special lighting to distinguish between neighbouring color grades (such as E to F), but most people can discern the difference between colors that are several grades apart (such as E to H) with a little practice.

At Impeccable Jewellery, you’ll find only the finest diamonds with color graded D-K. Diamonds graded K or better are colorless or near-colorless, with color that is typically undetectable to the unaided eye.