diamond characteristics - cut, clarity, carat weight, colour



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about diamonds

diamond characteristics
- cut, clarity, carat weight, colour -

Mynhardts carry a wide range of diamond cuts & shapes in all sizes, colours and clarities including round brilliant cut, princess cut, emerald cut, marquise cut, pear, oval & heart. Coloured or fancy diamonds - yellow, pink, brown are available on request.

Most of our diamonds are mined, cut, polished and graded in South Africa. Each diamond carries a grading report (certificate) detailing the cut, clarity, colour and specific laboratory number allocated to the diamond. This certificate is issued by independent certification laboratories such as the Jewellery Council of South Africa.

We assist you in choosing your diamond considering the following before purchasing your stone:

Click here to design your ring online!

Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat Weight (size),
Does your stone suit the design you require?,
Does your design suit your hand?
The colour of the diamond will determine your choice of metal e.g. we do not recommend a diamond with a colour lower than H to be set in 18ct white gold or platinum. Diamonds with colour I and lower are perfectly suited for 18ct yellow gold as they start reflecting a slightly more yellow colour that blends in with this precious metal.
Does your diamond carry a valid certificate?

The value of each diamond is determined by four main criteria:

CUT:

The Cut refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. The brilliance of each diamond derives from the quantity of light that is reflected by its cut. A diamond cut to perfect proportions allows for the most light to be reflected. A well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire, thereby placing well-cut diamonds higher on the Diamond Quality Pyramid than deep or shallow-cut diamonds.

CLARITY:

The fewer imperfections in a diamond, the greater the value. Small inclusions and surface blemishes reduce the value of a diamond, making a flawless diamond extremely rare and valuable. Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, appearing while formed in the earth. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.

CARAT WEIGHT:

The weight of a diamond is measured in carat. The carat reading of a diamond is also an indication of its size although it is actually a measure of weight. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 “points.” A .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or 3/4 carat diamond.

COLOUR:

Diamond color refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless and has a significant impact on its value. Diamonds are found in a range of colours, from light yellow or brown to no colour. The rarest diamond of all is one which has no colour at all. The color scale ranges from D to Z, from colorless to light yellow. Warmer colored diamonds (K–Z) are particularly desirable when set in yellow gold. Icy winter whites (D–G) look stunning set in white gold or platinum.