Diamond DNA Grading Laboratory

Diamond EDUCATION

Traditionally a diamond's cost is based on the characteristics known as the "4 C's". Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat Weight determine the value of a stone. When selecting a diamond, shape is one of the most important factors to consider. No one shape is better than another, so choose the shape that you like best. Another important characteristic is assurance that you get your diamond from conflict-free sources.


Shape
Diamond Round Shape
ROUND DIAMOND
The most popular diamond shape with maximum brilliance.
Diamond Cushion Shape
CUSHION DIAMOND
Rounded corners and larger facets to increase brilliance.
Diamond Asscher Shape
ASSCHER DIAMOND
Often described as a square emerald.
Diamond Emerald Shape
EMERALD DIAMOND
Rectangular cut with its long, lean lines.
Diamond Heart Shape
HEART DIAMOND
Unique unmistakable symbol of love.
Diamond Oval Shape
OVAL DIAMOND
Elliptical shape, based on the brilliant cut.
Diamond Marquise Shape
MARQUISE DIAMOND
Football-shaped cut, create the illusion of greater size
Diamond Pear Shape
PEAR DIAMOND
A hybrid cut shaped most like a sparkling teardrop.
Diamond Princess Shape
PRINCESS DIAMOND
Square or rectangular cut with numerous sparkling facets.
Diamond Radiant Shape
RADIANT DIAMOND
Has angled corners,range from square to rectangle.
Shape
diamond shape
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As the name suggests, shape (round, princess, radiant, etc.) describes a diamond's form. The beauty of the individual shapes is a matter of personal taste.

Carat Weight

One carat is equal to 0.20 grams (weight). In the diamond industry "1.00 carat" is divided into 100 "points", so for example a 70 "points" diamond weighs 0.70 carats.

Two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different costs based on other factors (cut, color, clarity and other).
Two diamonds of equal carat weight may also appear very different in size based on the shape of the diamond. For instance, a 1 carat marquise tends to appear larger than a 1 carat round.

Diamond Carat Weight
Carat Weight
diamond carat weight
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This is the term with which people are most familiar, but bear in mind that carat is specifically a measure of a diamond's weight.

Color

Colors, range from "D" grading (as the most colorless) to "Z" grade (as the closest to fancy yellow).

The closest to colorless a stone is, the more valuable the diamond is.

Diamond Color
Color
diamond color
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A diamond's color grade refers to the lack of color. Diamonds that are white, containing little or no color, receive higher quality grades than those with visible color.

Cut
Cut too shallow:
Diamond Cut
Cut too deep:
Diamond Cut
Ideal cut:
Diamond Cut


Cut is a feature that reflects the beauty and brilliance of the diamond, and usually determines both the value and price.

A key factor when making a diamond purchase is cut, as one may decide to compromise on clarity, size or color, but never on the cut.

You must always ensure that you have the most ideal cut diamond.

An Ideal cut has a specific set of guidelines defining the proportions that give a diamond the highest level of fire and brilliance.
Cut
diamond cut
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The cut of a diamond determines its brilliance. Put simply, the better a diamond is cut, the more sparkle it will have.

Clarity

Clarity refers to the extent of birthmarks or "inclusions" in the diamond. Most inclusions are not visible to the naked eye and can be viewed through a 10X magnification device. Inclusions interfere with the dispersion of light and affect a diamond's brilliance. With fewer and slighter inclusions, the stone is both rarer and more valuable.

Clarity of a Diamond Clarity is graded on a scale that ranges from internally flawless (IF), very very small inclusions (VVS1-VVS2), very small inclusions (VS1-VS2), small inclusions (SI1-SI2) to imperfect (I1-I2-I3) with obvious visible.

Diamond Clarity
Clarity
diamond clarity
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Almost all diamonds have tiny imperfections. Diamonds with few or no imperfections receive the highest clarity grades.

Conflict Free

Conflict Diamonds

Conflict diamonds are diamonds illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa.

The United Nations (UN) defines conflict diamonds as "...diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council." These diamonds are sometimes referred to as "blood diamonds."

Conflict Free
diamond shape
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All DDG diamonds have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in the funding conflict.