Diamond is such a thing which is adored by everyone. No longer are loose diamonds fad, restricted to ladies but they have made their statement as priced male possession too. For a novice, it can be a thrilling experience. Initially you might find it an arduous task, but with proper knowledge you can get the needed clarity. While splurging dollars on loose lab grown diamonds, make sure you are well versed on choosing the best ones.
Buying loose lab diamonds can be more confusing than buying jewellery made with lab-created diamonds. When buying loose lab grown diamonds, you would have to consider many aspects such as the size, cut, position of inclusions (if any), clarity, etc. You would have to imagine how the diamond would fit and be set within the jewellery design you want it in.
To make choosing the right shape and cut of loose lab-created diamonds easy, you could follow the standard grading system to begin with. The Gemological Institute of America, founded in the 1940s, created the now widely used grading system known as the 4Cs. There are many elements that determine a lab-grown diamond's quality, but four pillars primarily influence its price and worth. Let’s learn what those diamond 4Cs are.
Factors to consider when choosing diamonds:
Cut:
For rough grown diamonds to take on the correct shape, cutting is required. However, the word "cut" doesn't merely apply to shapes like round, oval, heart, pear, etc. Angles, facets, proportions, and finishing all affect the cut's quality. The lab-grown diamond's cut determines its performance and brilliance, making it the most crucial element.
How well a loose lab-grown diamond reflects light depends on how well it is cut. A diamond with a superior cut will shine, glitter, and fire more brilliantly. And one of the most challenging aspects to evaluate and grade is cutting. Because it entails things like proportion, symmetry, polish, etc., cutting a diamond to the best quality takes professional workmanship.
Here’s the standard cut grade chart to help you choose the best lab-grown diamonds
key aspects of diamond cut
Proportions- The proportions of a diamond's facets, angles, and overall shape play a critical role in its cut quality. These proportions are usually expressed in terms of percentages and angles, including the table percentage, crown angle, pavilion angle, and more.
Symmetry- A well-cut diamond should exhibit excellent symmetry, meaning that its facets should be precisely aligned and evenly distributed. Symmetry affects the diamond's overall appearance and how it reflects light.
Polish- The polish of a diamond refers to the quality of the surface finish. A diamond with excellent polish will have no visible blemishes or scratches on its surface. Proper polish enhances the diamond's luster and overall appeal.
Depth and Table- The depth of a diamond (the distance from the table to the culet) and the size of the table (the flat, top facet) are crucial factors in determining the diamond's brilliance. A well-balanced combination of depth and table size allows light to reflect and refract within the diamond, creating sparkle and fire.
Culet- The culet is the tiny facet at the bottom of the diamond. It should be properly aligned and not too large or too small. A well-cut diamond will typically have a small or very small culet.
Girdle- The girdle is the outer edge of the diamond. It can be polished or faceted, and its thickness affects the diamond's overall appearance. A well-cut diamond should have a girdle that is neither too thick nor too thin.
Facets- Diamonds are cut with numerous facets, including the table, crown facets, pavilion facets, and more. The arrangement and precision of these facets influence how light is captured and reflected within the stone.
Cut Grading- The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and other reputable organizations grade diamonds' cut quality on a scale that typically includes categories like Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. Diamonds with excellent or very good cut grades are highly sought after for their brilliance.
Shape- The cut also determines the diamond's shape, with popular shapes including round brilliant, princess, emerald, oval, marquise, and more. The choice of shape is a matter of personal preference.
Color:
Although diamonds appear colourless to the unaided eye, closer inspection reveals various colours. Beginning with D, diamond colours are ranked in alphabetical order. D is regarded as the ideal shade for a diamond. The diamond colour begins to turn yellow or brownish as you descend to the letters E, F, G, H, and so forth.
Here is a chart provided by GIA that details the colour scale for diamonds and the grading that goes along with it. You could follow this chart to select the best lab-grown diamonds.
Here's a brief overview of this scale:
D- D is considered the highest and most desirable grade on the GIA color scale. Diamonds in this category are completely colorless, appearing pure and brilliant. They are extremely rare and often come with a higher price tag.
E and F- Diamonds in the E and F categories are also considered colorless. These stones may have trace amounts of color that are almost imperceptible to the naked eye. They are highly sought after for their purity and brilliance.
G and H- Diamonds in the G and H range are near-colorless. They may have a slight hint of color, typically a subtle yellow or brownish tinge, but it is still challenging to detect without close examination. They are a popular choice for those seeking a balance between quality and price.
I, J, and K- Diamonds in these categories are considered "near-color" or "faint yellow." They have a more noticeable hint of color, which becomes increasingly apparent as you move down the scale. However, with the right cut and setting, they can still appear quite attractive.
L and lower- Diamonds in these categories typically have a more noticeable and pronounced color, ranging from light yellow to light brown. They are less desirable for their lack of colorlessness and are usually less expensive.
Clarity:
A factor never to be missed when buying loose lab-created diamonds is clarity. Lab-created diamonds undergo processes involving heat, pressure, high temperatures, and chemical reactions. Inclusions (internal characteristics) and blemishes (external characteristics) might result from these procedures.
Grown diamonds with no imperfections or flaws receive excellent clarity ratings. Unblemished diamonds are devoid of flaws. Inclusions and imperfections are graded according to their quantity, size, type, and location. But finding a diamond with flawless clarity—one devoid of any flaws or inclusions—is uncommon. The value of a lab diamond increases with the diamond's clarity.
Carat:
Carat weight is another of diamonds’ 4Cs you must consider when buying loose lab diamonds. A diamond's weight is measured in carats. Carats weigh 0.200 grammes. 100 points can be used to divide up each carat. Diamonds come in a variety of sizes. Since large diamonds are more uncommon, their carat weight is higher. The value of the diamond rises in tandem with its carat weight. However, the value also depends on the other C parameters. For example, a 2-carat lab-grown diamond could cost less or more based on the 4Cs.
Some of the popular carat weight sizes are: 0.5 carat, 1 carat, 1.5 carat, 2 carat lab diamond, 2.5 carat, 3 carat, 4 carat lab-created diamond, and 5 carat.
In addition to the above factors, remember one important practice to follow when buying loose lab-grown diamonds: the diamond grading report. Always buy loose lab diamonds from a reputed lab grown diamond manufacturer or retailer who has reputation of delivering authentic goods at competitive price. You can be assured of the quality and correct pricing based on the grading certificate that comes with loose diamonds.
Wrap up
One of the most important tasks in making sure you purchase loose lab diamonds fully informed is measuring diamonds. It influences the price and quality of diamonds. In order to help you make educated decisions based on diamond measurements, the next time you're looking for a diamond, refer to this quick guide.
