Diamonds Explained

SC Diamonds

Over 3 billion years ago, deep within the earth’s crust, Diamonds formed under intense heat and pressure. Diamonds are a natural phenomenon - no two stones are the same, making each uniquely beautiful.

Diamonds are graded and valued based on four factors – Carat, Clarity, Colour and Cut. The grading systems that exist today can be a confusing landscape to navigate with countless diamond grading agencies around the world each with their own stringencies in testing; meaning consistency within grading can vary greatly between diamond grading agencies.

The Four C’s

Carat

Diamonds are sold by the carat (ct) which refers to the unit of weight of the stone, not the size. A carat equals 0.2 grams.

Cut

This refers not to the shape of a diamond (round, princess, pear) but to its symmetry. Diamond cuts are graded on a scale of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.

Colour

To an untrained eye, most diamonds will appear colourless or white when in actual fact most diamonds have subtle yellow to brown tones.

Clarity

Clarity is often described as the character of the stone with all diamonds being imperfectly perfect.

The finer detail

SC Diamond Collection

Our profound knowledge and passion for diamonds has lead to the creation of our highly esteemed range of diamonds - the Simon Curwood Diamond Collection (SC Diamonds).

All diamonds in the Simon Curwood Diamond Collection are guaranteed to be non-recirculated, ethically mined diamonds. All SC Diamonds are hand selected by our international diamond experts. Our SC Diamonds undergo rigorous quality control and are certified by the same independent diamond agency; ensuring consistency and brilliance with each SC Diamond.

Did you know - many jewellers unknowingly sell re-circulated, pre-worn diamonds. It is estimated that up to 10% of the industry's wholesale diamonds are re-circulated. All SC Diamonds are guaranteed to be non-recirculated diamonds.

Clarity

Clarity is often described as the character of the stone with all diamonds being imperfectly perfect.

The characteristics, or inclusions, may look like crystals, feathers, clouds or dark spots. Diamonds with very few inclusions (FL, IF and VVS) are rare. VS diamonds and SI diamonds are superior in quality and generally consist of inclusion not visible to the naked eye.

IF

Internally Flawless

Extremely rare investment often sold at auction houses

SC Diamond Concierge

SC Diamond Concierge – Our diamond buyer will hand select a specific GIA certified diamond for your custom made jewellery

VVS1 TO SI2

Very Very Small to Slight Inclusions

Inclusions can only be seen under a magnifier

SC Diamond Concierge

SC Diamond Concierge – Our diamond buyer will hand select a specific GIA certified diamond for your custom made jewellery

SI3

Slight Inclusions

Each individual inclusion is very small, the diamond looks clean to the naked eye

SC Diamonds

SC Diamonds – Our international diamond buyer will hand select an SC Diamond that fits perfectly with your custom made jewellery

I1

Inclusions

Inclusions will most likely be slightly visible to the naked eye

Industry standard diamond available in many mass market, high volume jewellers

I2-3

Many Inclusions

Inclusions visible to the naked eye

Often used as promotional or discount diamonds in many mass market, high volume jewellers

Colour

To an untrained eye, most diamonds will appear colourless or white when in actual fact most diamonds have subtle yellow to brown tones.

This is a natural occurrence in the formation of the diamond while buried deep within the earth’s crust. Colourless diamonds are extremely rare making up 0.001% of the world’s diamonds.

D-H

Colourless

SC Diamond Concierge

SC Diamond Concierge – Our diamond buyer will hand select a specific GIA certified diamond for your custom made jewellery

I

Near Colourless

SC Diamonds

SC Diamonds – Our international diamond buyer will hand select an SC Diamond that fits perfectly with your custom made jewellery

J-K

Faint Yellow

Industry standard diamond available in many mass market, high volume jewellers

L-M

Yellow Hues

Often used as promotional or discount diamonds in many mass market, high volume jewellers

CUT

This refers not to the shape of a diamond (round, princess, pear) but to its symmetry, proportion and polish.

Diamond cuts are graded on a scale of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. The biggest factor in the score is based on the width of the table, height of the crown and the depth of the pavilion in each diamond. A complex analysis, there are three primary classifications in defining the cut of a diamond; Brilliance – referring to the brightness (white light reflection off the diamond into the depths of its pavilion). Fire – dispersion of light into visible spectrum of colour (flashes of colour). Scintillation – sparkle (light to dark flashes when a diamond is moved).

EXCELLENT

Excellent brilliance, fire and scintillation

SC Diamond Concierge

SC Diamond Concierge – Our diamond buyer will hand select a specific GIA certified diamond for your custom made jewellery

VERY GOOD

Very good brilliance, fire and scintillation

SC Diamonds

SC Diamonds – Our international diamond buyer will hand select an SC Diamond that fits perfectly with your custom made jewellery

GOOD

Good brilliance, fire and scintillation

Industry standard diamond available in many mass market, high volume jewellers

FAIR / POOR

Fair brilliance, fire and scintillation

Industry standard diamond available in many mass market, high volume jewellers

CARAT

A carat is 0.2 grams, and there are 100 points (or 200 milligrams) per carat.

Diamonds are sold by the carat (ct) which refers to the unit of weight of the stone, not the size.

Experience luxury

Simon Curwood Jewellers offers the ultimate luxury experience in engagement ring purchasing. Our experienced creative team and specialist diamond buyers are ready to help you create the engagement ring of your dreams.