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THE 4Cs

At AE DESIGN our team are certified diamond graders and gemmologists. With our qualifications, experience and contacts in the industry, our aim is to find you the best possible diamonds and gemstones to meet your requirements.

Cut

Of the 4Cs, cut is the most crucial to the diamond’s final beauty and value as it is what determines the sparkle or fire of the diamond. A well-proportioned cut will allow light to enter the stone and refract back out, giving it its fire and brilliance. Whilst nature determines the clarity, colour and carat weight, it is the cut of the diamond that reveals the sparkle and fire.

At AE Design, we recommend diamonds with a cut grade of Excellent – Very good.

diamond cut

Colour

The colour evaluation of most gem-quality diamonds is based on the absence of colour.

A diamond with no hue has a higher value. The colour grading system measures the degree of colourlessness by comparing each diamond in controlled conditions from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow). At AE Design, we recommend diamonds D – H in colour.

diamond colour

Clarity

Almost all diamonds contain inclusions or imperfections; however, most are too small to be seen with the naked eye. The fewer imperfections, the more valuable the diamond.

Diamonds are graded for clarity using a 10 x magnification jewellers loupe and the scale ranges through:
F (flawless)
IF (internally flawless)
VVS1, VVS2 (very slightly included)
VS1, VS2 (very slightly included)
SI1, SI2 (slightly included)
I1, I2, I3 (included)

The microscopic inclusions in diamonds down to Si1 and sometimes Si2 are so small that they are unable to be seen by the naked eye and do not interrupt the refraction of light through the diamond. Diamonds graded Si1 or Si2, so long as they are almost or completely ‘eye clean’ can offer excellent value for money.

diamond clarity

Carat Weight

Diamonds are measured by weight in carats (ct). One carat is equal to 0.2 grams (200 milligrams). Larger diamonds are more valuable due to their rare occurrence in nature. AE Design offers diamonds of almost any carat weight. With all else being equal, diamond price increases with carat weight because larger diamonds are more rare and more desirable. However two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different values depending on the three other factors within the 4Cs: cut, clarity and colour.

Generally the carat weight of the diamond you buy is determined by budget with taking into account the cut, clarity and colour you would like to achieve. Alternatively you might know what carat weight you want which will determine what colour and clarity you can achieve within that budget.

diamond carat weight