Our Diamonds
We never take shortcuts when it comes to quality here at Baadshah Jewellers, and for that reason, we only deal with GIA/IGI Certified Diamonds. GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is widely regarded as the most reputable and reliable Grading Laboratory in the world, and majority of our Natural Diamonds are going to be GIA Certified.
In the scenario that a client is looking for a Lab Grown Diamond, IGI (International Gemological Institute) is the most prolific entity that grades these types of diamonds. There are GIA Certified Lab Grown Diamonds available in the market, but they are far more rare, and in comparison to IGI, GIA has not established a very strong marketshare when it comes to Lab Grown Certification. With that being said, we still have access to both GIA and IGI Certified Lab Grown Diamonds, and would be more than happy to assist you in your search. If you would like a short lesson on GIA/IGI and their history with the Lab Grown Market, give us a call or ask us in person, and it would be our pleasure to answer any questions or concerns.
-
Selecting the perfect diamond for your engagement ring can seem overwhelming, especially since it’s one of the larger purchases an individual will ever make. Not to mention, it’s a diamond that your significant other will be wearing for the rest of their life, so you want to ensure that you’re making the right decision.
When it comes to that decision, it’s important to be well informed. We provide you with an educational segment on diamonds to both guide you and equip you with the right tools to make your decision an easy one.
Each diamond is unique and has its own characteristics. These specific qualities are a key factor in establishing their individual values. To distinguish these characteristics, GIA created a simple but effective device called the 4 C’s; Clarity, Colour, Carat, and Cut.
Clarity
Diamond clarity is determined by the presence or absence of inclusions within the diamond. Inclusions are natural imperfections in a diamond that are created due to the pressure and heat the diamond experiences through its formation.
Evaluating diamond clarity involves determining the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics, as well as how these affect the overall appearance of the stone.
The Diamond Clarity Scale has 6 categories, and a total of 11 specific grades:
Flawless (FL) No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification
Internally Flawless (IF) No inclusions visible under 10x magnification
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification, but can be characterized as minor
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification
Included (I1, I2, and I3) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification which may affect transparency and brilliance
Colour
When referring to the colour of a diamond, it is all the more exceptional if it is colourless. GIA’s Colour Scale goes from D to Z in alphabetical order, where D is “Colourless” and Z is considered “Light Yellow”. This scale measures the degree of colourlessness by comparing a stone under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions to a set of master stones of established colour value.
Carat
Carat is the unit of weight for a diamond. The weight is the most important criteria that factors into evaluating the price of a diamond. Have you ever noticed that whenever someone spots a sensational rock on a woman’s hand, they immediately wonder, “How many carats is that diamond?”
The size of a diamond will definitely increase its value and rarity, but it is not as important if it is not paired with a great Clarity/Colour/Cut. Many individuals typically correlate the size of a diamond to quality and brilliance, but we’re completely comfortable with telling you that size is not the most important factor when evaluating the quality of a diamond!
Cut
Without a doubt, the most important factor that determines the quality of a diamond is the Cut. The diamond’s Cut reflects how a diamond’s facets interact with light. To put it in simpler terms, cut is responsible for the quality and degree of a diamond’s sparkle. This characteristic is what can essentially make or break the beauty of your diamond.
There are three factors that determine a diamond’s cut:
Precision of cut
How the size and angles relate to the different parts of the stone
Symmetry
How precisely the various facets of a diamond align and intersect
Polish
The details and placement of the facet shapes as well as the outside finish of the diamond
Many jewellers are willing to sell Cuts that are spread across the GIA Cut Scale (Excellent/Very Good/Good/Fair/Poor), but here at Baadshah Jewellers, we refuse to sell anything less than an Excellent Cut. By selecting a diamond that is below “Excellent”, you compromise the quality of the diamond, and that is something that our Diamond Specialists will not allow.