Cut
The cut of a diamond is one of the most defying characteristics. The most popular diamond shape is round, but there are many others. Whether you want a round brilliant or a square princess cut diamond, we can help you to choose the shape that fits you.
However, it can be helpful to think about your ideal diamond shape before going to a store.
Color
Diamond colors are alphabetically sorted by D (completely colorless) to Z (soft yellow). The letter represents the gradation of a diamond in terms of yellowness. The most precious diamonds are completely colorless (D). Even though diamonds come in all sorts of color, we advise for white diamonds not to go darker than an I-colored diamond.
It’s important to decide for yourself how yellow a diamond can be for you to love it.
Carat
Carat is the weight unit of diamonds and other gemstones. One carat weighs 0.2 grams: the bigger and heavier the diamond, the rarer and the more precious. The preferred size of a diamond often depends on the type of jewelry its set into and the type of diamond you’re looking for.
Therefore, it is useful to start your quest online and look at pictures of diamond jewelry to decide the carat of your perfect diamond.
Polishing
High-quality polishing that is in line with the defined standards, results in a symmetrical, brilliant stone that shines in an optimum way. A diamond polisher can make or break a diamond – literally. That is why it is so important to find a diamond dealer or jeweler where the polisher really knows what he’s doing. A badly cut diamond is an eternal waste.
Find out which jeweler or diamond dealer still attaches great value to the craft of diamond polishing.
Purity
Purity, or
clarity, indicates the presence or absence of inclusions and impurities in a diamond. This is a very important feature that is too often overlooked. The clarity of a diamond is one of the things that determines how much a diamond will sparkle. Purity runs from FL (flawless) to Pique 3. The purer the diamond, the more beautiful – and more valuable – it is. The impact of the present impurities in a diamond depends on the size of the diamond, the craftsmanship and the locations of the inclusions. Nevertheless, we usually recommend diamonds with a VS clarity (very small inclusions) or purer. Diamonds with a low clarity usually have inclusions that you can see even without a loupe.
Cheap jewelers often try to attract ignorant customers with low prices. This results in a customer going home with a diamond of poor quality. That’s why you should always pay attention to a diamond’s clarity before you buy one.
Collet
The collet is a bottom tip of the diamond where all facets come together. The craftsmanship of the polisher determines whether this was cut into a beautiful sharp and clean tip. Since the collet is not one of the 4 C’s, not everyone checks this part of the diamond. A shame actually, because especially with a loupe it’s quite easy.
That’s why I advise you to always check a diamond’s collet as well. It’s a quick way to see the craftsmanship.
Girdle
A diamond’s girdle is the line that separates the crown (the top) and the pavilion (the bottom) of a cut diamond. It looks like a thin wavy line. An even line indicates high-quality craftsmanship.
Details of a diamond can tell you a lot about the craftsmanship. Therefore, it’s always smart to check the line of the girdle.
Certificate
A certificate is the proof of authenticity with all the details and characteristics of the diamond. Every diamond in the world has its own certificate. It contains the 4 C’s of the diamond and the signature of the one who sold you this diamond.
The certificate is the most important ‘accessory’ of the diamond, so keep it somewhere safe. With this official document from a renowned jeweler or diamond seller you will have a lifelong warranty on your diamond. So keeping it is definitely worth it.
Drop by with your checklist
Make your own list with your answers from the checklist above. This way, you have a clear view of what you’re looking for. Go to
an expert to find that perfect diamond that is out there. Our consultants are educated to provide you with the correct information so you can make an informed decision. The most important thing to keep in mind though is to listen to your heart and pick the diamond you love. This isn’t necessarily the same a jeweler would pick. At Coster we help you the Royal way: our customer is king.