Q Report Team
Diamond Certificates Explained
Shopping for a diamond can be intimidating, especially if you haven’t done it .
Explore Q Report's Content Centre for expert advice on jewellery insurance. You can also read e-guides and blogs, watch videos and more.
Q Report Team
Most people shopping for an engagement ring often lack the experience and knowledge on how to look at a diamond properly. So they can’t help feeling lost and totally reliant on the sales person trying to sell it to them.
The age-old argument between diamond dealers and retailers still stands - what is the most important factor they look for in a polished diamond? We’re all familiar with the 4 Cs – Cut, Carat, Colour and Clarity. But in this article, we’re going to focus on Colour.
In our opinion, Colour has one of the biggest impacts on how the diamond will look on someone’s hand. Even without the skills of a gemologist, you can effectively see the colour of a diamond and appreciate why it’s so important.
This is a big subject matter, which is why this article will focus on the “white diamonds” category.
So you’re looking for a white diamond. Isn’t a white diamond exactly that – white? What makes the colour of one white diamonds better than another? So let’s go a bit technical - and only a little bit… this is not meant to be a science lesson.
As we know, diamonds are naturally formed from predominantly carbon.
When we look at diamonds which are supposedly white, you need to stop and ask yourself - what is “white”? Is it the white of a piece of paper, is it your white shirt, or the wall in your home? The answer is, they may all be white or more, correctly shades of white. This is precisely the key to understanding the colour of a diamonds. Even white of diamonds are in reality, shades of white.
Scientifically, if you think about a rainbow, white doesn’t appear. It’s not a colour. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet are the colours in a rainbow. Where’s do they talk about white? They don’t. White is created when you add all the colours together. A light bulb giving off white light is on the spectrum of white. You have probably heard people say things like the bulb is giving off a bit of red or yellowish, or it’s a daylight globe. This means the spectrum is trying to emulate daylight.
Years ago, a diamond dealer would only look at diamonds at a desk which had access to natural daylight. Today, bulbs can be adjusted to be calibrated to natural daylight and you don’t have problems later in the day when it gets darker.
Ok so what is a white diamond and how do we measure how white it is?
In today’s technical world, diamond colours are measured on a scale from D to Z . D being the whitest and Z being black. It’s really after the top 6-7 letters down the scale D,E,F,G,H,I,J, that the even the untrained eye can see colour variation - if someone points it out to you.
So what causes the colour in a diamond? Nitrogen and sometimes some internal imperfections.
In simple terms, when you get a lot of nitrogen, the colour of the diamond tends to become more yellow. Yellow is not bad. It’s degrees of yellow that is the issue if you want to buy a white diamond.
The first thing you need to be aware of is that when you view a diamond in a ring you can never see its true colour. This is because depending on the metal the diamond is set in, it will reflect through the stone. For this reason, the majority of diamonds are set in white gold. If you had a diamond which is K colour, it will be masked and appear whiter than what it really is, because the white metal it’s set in acts like a mirror.
On the upside, if it doesn’t bother you, there are some real savings to be had. However, if having a very white stone is important to you, the following methodology will allow you to ensure that you have a diamond as white as your budget allows.
When a customer enters a jewellery store, they are often shown diamonds which are already set in a ring. Today, it is more and more common for a customer to ask the retailer to show them diamonds loose, so that they can compare and appreciate why one diamond is better than the other without being distracted by the setting. It is important to note that this is very common for diamonds over 1 carat in size, but also acceptable for stones ranging from half a carat to 1 carat. With anything less than half a carat, it’s often more economical to buy a diamond already in a ring setting.
So let’s remember, you’re not in a laboratory, but a jewellery store is looking to help you find your perfect diamond.
Let’s assume that you are looking to purchase a 1 carat F colour round brilliant cut diamond with a SI1 clarity.
Assuming you’re also making an appointment, I would suggest you ask your jeweller which diamond certification they will be using for the stones that they will be showing you.
The reason why you have to pose this question is that you need to determine what grading scale is being used to determine the colour of the diamond. It’s no good looking at an EGL grading certificate which says the diamond is F colour when the rest of the diamond world is aware that these EGL certificates are known to exaggerate the colour grade . In real terms, this means that they would say that what everyone else considers an H colour diamond, is F colour on their certificate. Clearly a misrepresentation.
In Australia and in most places in the world, the GIA certificate is considered the standard. There are other diamond certificates which are highly regarded, such as AGS from the USA, HRD and IGI from Antwerp. In terms of Australian laboratories GSL and DCLA are all well respected. The key aspect of the diamond certificate is that it should not state a value, but purely define the 4Cs and measurements and above all else, guarantee that the diamond is not synthetic.
So now we get to the fun bit, you are shown three diamonds. Your jeweller goes on to tell you that they are E colour, F colour and G colour. The only way that you, as an inexperienced diamond buyer, can get some sense of colour variation, is to examine the diamonds in a method that eliminates a number of distractions and allows you to determine the whiteness of the diamond.
In the ideal situation your jeweller will have a lower colour diamond such as K colour, and show you the difference between it and a G colour. This allows your eye to become more sensitive to the colour variation. Now when an E colour diamond is put next to this, you can appreciate how much whiter it really is. There is no doubt that it is often very difficult to see the subtle colour variations between an E and F or F and G, but you can begin to appreciate that there is in fact a real variation.
Interestingly, when you turn these diamonds face up and rest between your index finger and your middle finger holding them tightly together and stones placed side-by-side, you might see colour variation. It should be noted however, that if one stone is bigger than the other, or there are other aspects of its cut grade and possible fluorescence, your eye could be tricked.
The methodology which I have described is pretty much similar to the one used in laboratories around the world. As there is always a degree of subjectivity however, laboratories used to get three people to grade each diamond, and average their opinions.
Today the large laboratories possess the technology to have diamonds graded using sophisticated colour grading machines, to maintain consistency.
Remember one thing, colour is just one component of what make a diamond special. The good part is that now you are better informed, can ask the right questions and look at it diamond with a little bit more knowledge. Why be in the back seat when you can be in the driver seat when buying your diamond.
To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.
Don't have the receipt?
If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.
Most people shopping for an engagement ring often lack the experience and knowledge on how to look at a diamond properly. So they can’t help feeling lost and totally reliant on the sales person trying to sell it to them.
The age-old argument between diamond dealers and retailers still stands - what is the most important factor they look for in a polished diamond? We’re all familiar with the 4 Cs – Cut, Carat, Colour and Clarity. But in this article, we’re going to focus on Colour.
In our opinion, Colour has one of the biggest impacts on how the diamond will look on someone’s hand. Even without the skills of a gemologist, you can effectively see the colour of a diamond and appreciate why it’s so important.
This is a big subject matter, which is why this article will focus on the “white diamonds” category.
So you’re looking for a white diamond. Isn’t a white diamond exactly that – white? What makes the colour of one white diamonds better than another? So let’s go a bit technical - and only a little bit… this is not meant to be a science lesson.
As we know, diamonds are naturally formed from predominantly carbon.
When we look at diamonds which are supposedly white, you need to stop and ask yourself - what is “white”? Is it the white of a piece of paper, is it your white shirt, or the wall in your home? The answer is, they may all be white or more, correctly shades of white. This is precisely the key to understanding the colour of a diamonds. Even white of diamonds are in reality, shades of white.
Scientifically, if you think about a rainbow, white doesn’t appear. It’s not a colour. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet are the colours in a rainbow. Where’s do they talk about white? They don’t. White is created when you add all the colours together. A light bulb giving off white light is on the spectrum of white. You have probably heard people say things like the bulb is giving off a bit of red or yellowish, or it’s a daylight globe. This means the spectrum is trying to emulate daylight.
Years ago, a diamond dealer would only look at diamonds at a desk which had access to natural daylight. Today, bulbs can be adjusted to be calibrated to natural daylight and you don’t have problems later in the day when it gets darker.
Ok so what is a white diamond and how do we measure how white it is?
In today’s technical world, diamond colours are measured on a scale from D to Z . D being the whitest and Z being black. It’s really after the top 6-7 letters down the scale D,E,F,G,H,I,J, that the even the untrained eye can see colour variation - if someone points it out to you.
So what causes the colour in a diamond? Nitrogen and sometimes some internal imperfections.
In simple terms, when you get a lot of nitrogen, the colour of the diamond tends to become more yellow. Yellow is not bad. It’s degrees of yellow that is the issue if you want to buy a white diamond.
The first thing you need to be aware of is that when you view a diamond in a ring you can never see its true colour. This is because depending on the metal the diamond is set in, it will reflect through the stone. For this reason, the majority of diamonds are set in white gold. If you had a diamond which is K colour, it will be masked and appear whiter than what it really is, because the white metal it’s set in acts like a mirror.
On the upside, if it doesn’t bother you, there are some real savings to be had. However, if having a very white stone is important to you, the following methodology will allow you to ensure that you have a diamond as white as your budget allows.
When a customer enters a jewellery store, they are often shown diamonds which are already set in a ring. Today, it is more and more common for a customer to ask the retailer to show them diamonds loose, so that they can compare and appreciate why one diamond is better than the other without being distracted by the setting. It is important to note that this is very common for diamonds over 1 carat in size, but also acceptable for stones ranging from half a carat to 1 carat. With anything less than half a carat, it’s often more economical to buy a diamond already in a ring setting.
So let’s remember, you’re not in a laboratory, but a jewellery store is looking to help you find your perfect diamond.
Let’s assume that you are looking to purchase a 1 carat F colour round brilliant cut diamond with a SI1 clarity.
Assuming you’re also making an appointment, I would suggest you ask your jeweller which diamond certification they will be using for the stones that they will be showing you.
The reason why you have to pose this question is that you need to determine what grading scale is being used to determine the colour of the diamond. It’s no good looking at an EGL grading certificate which says the diamond is F colour when the rest of the diamond world is aware that these EGL certificates are known to exaggerate the colour grade . In real terms, this means that they would say that what everyone else considers an H colour diamond, is F colour on their certificate. Clearly a misrepresentation.
In Australia and in most places in the world, the GIA certificate is considered the standard. There are other diamond certificates which are highly regarded, such as AGS from the USA, HRD and IGI from Antwerp. In terms of Australian laboratories GSL and DCLA are all well respected. The key aspect of the diamond certificate is that it should not state a value, but purely define the 4Cs and measurements and above all else, guarantee that the diamond is not synthetic.
So now we get to the fun bit, you are shown three diamonds. Your jeweller goes on to tell you that they are E colour, F colour and G colour. The only way that you, as an inexperienced diamond buyer, can get some sense of colour variation, is to examine the diamonds in a method that eliminates a number of distractions and allows you to determine the whiteness of the diamond.
In the ideal situation your jeweller will have a lower colour diamond such as K colour, and show you the difference between it and a G colour. This allows your eye to become more sensitive to the colour variation. Now when an E colour diamond is put next to this, you can appreciate how much whiter it really is. There is no doubt that it is often very difficult to see the subtle colour variations between an E and F or F and G, but you can begin to appreciate that there is in fact a real variation.
Interestingly, when you turn these diamonds face up and rest between your index finger and your middle finger holding them tightly together and stones placed side-by-side, you might see colour variation. It should be noted however, that if one stone is bigger than the other, or there are other aspects of its cut grade and possible fluorescence, your eye could be tricked.
The methodology which I have described is pretty much similar to the one used in laboratories around the world. As there is always a degree of subjectivity however, laboratories used to get three people to grade each diamond, and average their opinions.
Today the large laboratories possess the technology to have diamonds graded using sophisticated colour grading machines, to maintain consistency.
Remember one thing, colour is just one component of what make a diamond special. The good part is that now you are better informed, can ask the right questions and look at it diamond with a little bit more knowledge. Why be in the back seat when you can be in the driver seat when buying your diamond.
Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.
Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.
Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.
Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come
Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.
Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.
Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.
Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.
Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.
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Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
Peace of Mind: An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
“Knowing your engagement ring is insured brings peace of mind. Accidents can happen, and insurance coverage alleviates the worry and stress of potential loss or damage.”
Unlike their battery-powered quartz counterparts, luxury watches have a beating heart – the mechanical movement. First created in the 14th century, large, weight-driven tower clocks with verge escapements and foliot balances marked the dawn of mechanical timekeeping.
Today, the core concept of mechanical movements remains unchanged from its original conception. It involves an intricate arrangement of gears, springs, and an escapement powered by a wound mainspring. This precision engineering allows for smooth operation and precise timekeeping.
Manual watch movements require the wearer to wind the crown periodically. Automatic watch movements, on the other hand, utilise the wearer's movements to keep the mainspring wound, offering a convenient everyday solution.
The Patek Philippe Calatrava, with its ultra-thin manual movement, exemplifies the elegance of traditional watchmaking. On the other hand, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, with its self-winding mechanism epitomises practicality and durability.
Whether manual or automatic, a mechanical movement imbues a luxury watch with a soul, a testament to human ingenuity and a treasured heirloom for generations to come
Diamond shapes can vary in price due to popularity and demand. Round brilliants, for example, tend to be more expensive than other shapes due to their high demand. If budget is a concern, consider alternative shapes or prioritise other aspects, such as cut quality, over the shape itself.
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Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal. Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised engagement ring insurance provides financial protection in the event of loss, theft or damage by ensuring you can recover the ring's monetary value or repair or replace.
An engagement ring is a significant financial and sentimental investment. Specialised.
Luxury watches often boast 'complications,' intricate mechanisms that add layers of sophistication, style and utility. Here, we explore some of the most fascinating complications created by the best luxury watch brands.
Contents insurance covers the items within your home in case they are damaged, lost or stolen. This can include furniture, electronics, clothing and other personal. Contents insurance is essential for anyone who owns valuable items, as it helps protect you should a potential loss occur in your.
To get an accurate insurance quote, please provide the amount from your purchase receipt.
Don't have the receipt?
If you don't have the receipt, you can provide the most recent valuation amount instead.
Shopping for a diamond can be intimidating, especially if you haven’t done it .
Accents, asschers, cushions and clusters; there’s certainly a lot of lingo to .
Until you started shopping for diamond rings, you probably lived a completely .