Diamond Guide

Diamonds are graded on a colour scale ranging from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less colour a diamond has, the higher its grade and the more rare and valuable it is. While truly colourless diamonds are exceptional, subtle differences in colour can significantly impact a diamond’s appearance.

• D-F (Colourless to Near Colourless): These diamonds are considered the most desirable, exhibiting exceptional whiteness and brilliance.
• G-J (Near Colourless): These diamonds offer excellent value, appearing colourless to the naked eye.
• K-M (Faint Yellow): Diamonds in this range may exhibit a slight yellowish tint, which may be more noticeable in larger stones.
• N-Z (Light Yellow to Yellow): These diamonds have a more apparent yellow tint.

Fancy coloured diamonds are graded differently, and can have intense and vibrant colours like pink, blue or yellow.

The cut of a diamond refers to the proportions, symmetry, and polish of its facets. A well-cut diamond maximizes light reflection, creating brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Cut is arguably the most important of the 4Cs, as it has the greatest impact on a diamond’s sparkle.

• Excellent: These diamonds exhibit exceptional brilliance and fire, reflecting nearly all light that enters the stone.
• Very Good: These diamonds also display excellent brilliance and fire, with minor variations in light reflection.
• Good: These diamonds offer a good balance of brilliance and fire, though they may not be as bright as higher grades.
• Fair: These diamonds may have noticeable imperfections and reduced brilliance.
• Poor: These diamonds lack brilliance and fire due to poor proportions and finish.

Clarity refers to the absence of inclusions (internal imperfections) and blemishes (external imperfections) in a diamond. Most diamonds contain some imperfections, but the fewer and smaller the imperfections, the higher the clarity grade.

• FL/IF (Flawless/Internally Flawless): These diamonds are extremely rare and have no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
• VVS1/VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included): These diamonds have minute inclusions that are difficult to see even under 10x magnification.
• VS1/VS2 (Very Slightly Included): These diamonds have minor inclusions that are visible under 10x magnification.
• SI1/SI2 (Slightly Included): These diamonds have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
• I1/I2/I3 (Included): These diamonds have inclusions that are readily visible to the naked eye and may affect the diamond’s brilliance.

Diamonds are cut into a variety of shapes, each with its own unique beauty and characteristics. The most popular shapes include:

A lab certificate, also known as a diamond grading report, is a document issued by an independent gemological laboratory that verifies the quality and characteristics of a diamond. These certificates provide an unbiased assessment of the 4Cs and other important details, giving you confidence in your purchase. Reputable labs include GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and IGI (International Gemological Institute). At The Diamond Channel, we recommend diamonds that are certified by reputable gemological laboratories.

We encourage you to contact us or visit our showroom to learn more about diamonds and explore our exquisite collection. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you find the perfect diamond that meets your individual preferences and budget.