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Diamond Imports

Princess Cut Diamonds

The Princess Cut Diamond is a brilliant style diamond shape with sharp, uncut corners. It is typically cut square although there are sometimes princess cut diamonds that have a rectangular shape.

The princess cut is the most important new cut or shape for diamonds since the invention or perfection of the modern brilliant cut over 60 years ago. The princess cut diamond is effectively a square version of the round brilliant cut, and is known technically as a square modified brilliant cut.

The princess cut was originally created by Israel Itzkowitz in 1979 at Ambar Diamonds in Los Angeles. After three years of optical research the princess cut was developed. It was a square diamond from the girdle up that had faceting similar to that of a round brilliant cut diamond from the girdle down. This accounts for the fire and brilliance seen in princess cut diamonds.

Princess cut diamonds are the most popular non-round diamond. They have a beautiful brilliance and a modern square shape that accentuates a diamond’s fire rather than its luster. Princess cut diamonds have become a favourite diamond choice for engagement rings.

The princess cut diamond is usually less expensive than a round brilliant cut diamond of the same carat weight because a diamond cutter usually does not need to shave off as much diamond weight from the rough diamond. This ability to retain more crystal weight makes this shape popular amongst diamond cutters and therefore less expensive than round brilliant cut diamonds.

The princess cut diamond is normally close to a square with a + or – 10% deviation, but it may come in more elongated versions. Try to avoid extremely thin girdles which are prone to chipping when being set. For a princess cut diamond that is square, a length to width ratio between 1:0 – 1:10 is best, if you prefer a more rectangular shape then a length to width ratio above 1:11 is best.

Diamond Imports has an exceptional range of Princess Cut Diamonds. A Princess Cut Diamond generally has 76 facets, giving it more brilliance and fire than the round brilliant. Princess cut diamonds are the most popular non-round diamond. They have a beautiful brilliance and a modern square shape that accentuates a diamond’s fire rather than its luster. Princess cut diamonds have become a favourite diamond choice for engagement rings.

Beware Diamond Drop Shippers

Before buying a diamond it is very important to ensure that the diamond advertised by the jeweller or online diamond store is actually owned by them and that the diamond is in stock and not overseas. Far too many jewellers and online diamond dealers advertise diamonds that they do not own, have never seen and diamonds that are not even in Australia. This is what you call a Drop Shipper – advertise items that you do not own – sell them online to a customer – receive full payment – have the item shipped – and skim off the profit!

Why would anyone in this day and age buy a diamond from anyone and pay upfront without ensuring that the diamond was in stock and that the dealer had actually seen it. How can a reputable diamond dealer or jeweller comment on, give advice or sell a diamond they have never seen, they do not own and a diamond that is not even in the country.

This is the one singular and most important differences between Diamond Imports and all other diamond dealers, jewellers and online stores – Diamond Imports does not advertise any diamond it does not own and all the diamonds listed on the Diamond Imports website are in stock and available for immediate purchase. All customers can be assured that any diamond can be viewed in our Sydney office or be delivered as soon as payment has been made in full if purchased online. Diamond Imports does not drop ship and does not sell diamonds that are overseas. You will never see one of Diamond Imports diamonds advertised on any other website.

If the diamonds the jeweller or diamond dealer is advertising are such a good deal and quality why are they not prepared to buy the diamond for their own stock?

In the past week one diamond drop shipper, namely Diamond Exchange Ltd, has had a Notification of Application to Wind Up Company filed against it –
519G Notification of Application to Wind Up Company Under S.
Since the Application to Wind Up Company there has been an ever increasing number of complaints by customers who have purchased diamonds from this diamond drop shipper for failing to deliver the diamond they purchased and failing to refund money. The JAA – Jewellers Association of Australia has finally put a notice on their website to inform the public about this drop shipper. Read the JAA Warning.

As of today this drop shipper is still taking orders and trying to sell diamonds they do not own to unsuspecting customers. Diamond Exchange Ltd still has a string of customers waiting for refunds and the delivery of diamonds they have paid for in full and they have made no attempt to place a notice on their website under the Company Announcements Section. In light of the failings of this diamond drop shipper Diamond Imports has felt it their duty to make this news announcement to help safeguard unsuspecting consumers who are endeavouring to purchase a diamond and also to ensure any potential customer that all the diamonds listed on the website www.diamondimports.com.au are in stock and available for immediate delivery as soon as full payment has been received.

Diamond Imports prides itself on selling Superior Quality Certified Diamonds.

Comparing Certified Diamonds

The true test to evaluate a diamond is to visually compare it next to other diamonds. At the end of the day all the numbers, certificates and photos in the world mean nothing if you do not like the look of the diamond and it does not sparkle.

You may have heard of terms like Excellent Cut, Ideal Cut, Russian Make, Hearts and Arrows, Belgium Cut, Fine Make and others used by jewellers and diamond retailers when selling their diamonds in order to give the illusion of a ‘better’ quality diamond than other diamonds. Be wary of accepting these terms as is. They are especially dangerous when assigned to diamonds by the jeweler or diamond dealer themselves without third-party independent support such as a diamond certificate or diamond grading report.

It is important to remain aware of the facts and differences with certification and the process, as well as the different grading standards each diamond grading laboratory offers. While it might be possible to find certified diamonds with the same grade stated on a certificate that appears notably cheaper. As a potential diamond buyer you must be aware that there is no single set of parameters diamond laboratories grade to and every laboratory has a different set of standards. There is no such thing as cheap diamonds, if a diamond is advertised at a special price or seems to have a special price you should ask yourself why? There are no bargains in the diamond industry and there usually is a reason why one diamond is discounted or appears to be cheaper than another diamond.

Not all diamond grading laboratories are as well respected or as stringent in their grading as each other. The diamond certification laboratory or grading laboratory should be accredited, complaint and totally independent of the diamond dealer, jeweler or diamond retailer so that there is no conflict of interest or financial bias. A diamond certificate must be issued from an independent, accredited laboratory and it must accurately state the full details of the diamond if it is to be of assistance for the diamond purchaser. You should always make certain that you check the credentials of the diamond grading laboratory who issued the diamond grading report or diamond certificate. If you have not heard of the laboratory, it could very well be associated in some way with the store, jeweler or diamond wholesaler itself, and so have a vested interest in aiding the sale.

It can be a very daunting, often stressful and a long involved process when you are trying to choose the perfect diamond especially when it is for a diamond engagement ring. Just comparing diamonds on a diamond price match policy alone is not nearly good enough you have to visibly compare the diamonds next to each other to truly see which diamond is the better quality diamond.

What Are Certified Diamonds?

A certified diamond is a diamond that has been graded, tested and examined by a team of independent fully trained gemologists who then issue a Diamond certificate for that diamond.

A diamond certificate is a blueprint of a loose diamond that has been certified.

A diamond certificate can also be called a diamond grading report or diamond dossier. The diamond certificate documents the diamond’s exact measurements and weight, as well as the details of its cut and quality. It precisely points out all the individual characteristics of the stone, inclusions and any flaws.

When shopping for loose diamonds it is extremely important that you buy a certified diamond. You can compare one certified diamond with a particular weight and quality with other certified diamonds of similar weight and quality to determine which certified loose diamond has the better value.

A diamond certificate allows you to make an informed choice when buying loose diamonds.

A certified diamond provides consumers with confidence, security and increases comfort levels while making a decision on which loose diamond to purchase. Before purchasing a loose diamond, you should expect to review a copy of its diamond certificate, as this is your only guarantee of the quality and value of that diamond. Certified diamonds help provide consumer confidence.

A diamond certificate documents the characteristics of the diamonds quality; the colour, cut, clarity & carat weight of the diamond are verified by an independent company with no conflict of interest between buyer and seller.

The true test to evaluate a diamond is to view it in person and compare it with other diamonds. Nothing beats seeing a diamond in person to determine whether it is a ‘good’ diamond to your eye or not. Diamond appreciation is a very personal thing and different people will prefer different things about different diamonds. At the end of the day all the numbers and photos in the world mean nothing if you do not like the diamond in person.

Many jewellers and diamond dealers will use terms like Hearts and Arrows, Ideal, Excellent, Russian Cut, Belgium Cut, Fine Make and others to describe their diamonds, with the intention of portraying them as ‘better’ than others. Be wary of accepting these terms as is. They are especially dangerous when assigned to diamonds by the jeweller or diamond dealer themselves without third-party independent support.

There are many different diamond grading laboratories available to the diamond-buying public. Some of the more well known grading laboratories are: GIA (Gemological Institute of America), DCLA (Diamond Certification Laboratory of Australia), AGS (American Gemological Society), HRD (Hoge Raad Voor Diamant; Diamond High Council), EGL (European Gemological Institute) and the IGI (International Gemological Institute).

Each of these diamond grading laboratories has their own criteria and method of grading loose diamonds, but they all operate within a high set of parameters, in regards to grading a diamond’s attributes and dimensions. Be aware that as each grading laboratory has its own methods, each grading laboratory also has its own expense guides for preparing a certificate and these grading laboratories differ in their standards and level of strictness.

It is important to keep in mind the fact that not all diamond grading laboratories are as well respected or as stringent in their grading as each other. Diamond grading laboratories should always be independent of any diamond retailers or wholesalers, to avoid any conflict of interests or bias. Diamond Certificates are only of value when they are issued by an independent accredited diamond grading laboratory. Always make certain to identify the source of the certificate or diamond grading report. If you have not heard of the laboratory, it could very well be associated in some way with the store, jeweller or diamond wholesaler itself, and so have a vested interest in aiding the sale.

Before you buy a diamond you should always, as a first priority, insist on an independent diamond grading certificate from an accredited laboratory to support any added claims about a diamond.

What Are Diamonds?

Diamonds are a mineral, a natural crystalline substance, the transparent form of pure carbon or nearly pure carbon. Diamonds have extraordinary qualities. Diamonds have a broad colour range, high refraction, high dispersion of fire, very low reactivity to chemicals, rarity, and of course, extreme hardness and durability. Diamonds are known as the “king of gems” they glitter, dazzle, and symbolize purity and strength.

A diamond is the oldest thing you will ever own, probably 3 billion years in age, fully two thirds the age of the Earth. A diamond is a strategic and high-tech supermaterial for our technological society. Diamond is the birth stone for the month of April.

A diamond is composed of the single element carbon, and it is the arrangement of the C atoms in the lattice that give a diamond its amazing properties. Both diamond and graphite are composed of just carbon. However a diamond is the hardest known material and graphite is one of the softest, this was caused by a rearrangement of the way the atoms are bonded together. Diamond carbon atoms are linked in a regular three-dimensional lattice with a repeating or crystalline pattern.

Diamond belongs to the cubic, or ‘isometric’ crystal system. The most commonly seen crystal structures or arrangements are:
• Octahedron (8 faces)
• Cube (6 faces)
• Dodecahedron (12 faces)

A diamond is the ultimate gemstone, having few weaknesses and many strengths. It is well known that diamonds are the hardest substance found in nature, but few people realize that diamonds are four times harder than the next hardest natural mineral, corundum – sapphires and rubies.

Natural diamonds are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle layer from the element carbon, about 180km below the surface, where high temperatures and pressures exist. Some diamonds form at depths of 300-400 kilometres, or even deeper, but these diamonds are particularly rare.

The earths mantel is made up of molten rock, metals and other materials. The temperature is very high at this depth – between 1100 degC and 1400 degC. The high pressures needed to form diamonds are produced by the weight of 180 km of rocks pressing down. Besides carbon, there are very small amounts of other substances, such as nitrogen and sulfur that can become trapped in the crystal when it is formed in the mantel. These impurities can give color to the diamond. One of the most rare is pink diamonds.

Natural diamonds are classified by the type and level of impurities found within them.
• Type Ia diamond – Most natural diamonds are of this type, which contain up to 0.3% nitrogen.
• Type Ib diamond – Very rare (~0.1%) in nature, but almost all synthetic (industrial) diamonds are of this type. They contain nitrogen at concentrations of up to 500 ppm.
• Type IIa diamond – Very rare in nature, these diamonds contain so little nitrogen that it can’t be easily detected by the usual IR or UV absorption measurements.
• Type IIb diamond – Extremely rare in nature. These have such a low concentration of nitrogen (even lower than type IIa) that the crystal is a p-type semiconductor (due to uncompensated B acceptor impurities).

Due to its unique internal structure and powers of light reflection, when cut to proper proportions, diamonds gather light within itself and then sends it back in a shower of fire and brilliance. The ‘life’ of a polished diamond is regarded as the amount of light that is reflected back to the viewer. The term ‘life’ is also referred to as ‘brilliance’. If the diamond is cut with good proportions then the brilliance will be increased. Lustre refers to the surface gloss on a polished diamond. Fire the play of colours that can be seen from the crown of a polished diamond. As light enters the diamond it is refracted and broken up into the colours of the spectrum and reflected back. The resulting rainbow-like colour flashes are called ‘fire’.

The hardness of diamond is an important property. As an industrial tool it has many uses and modern industry is highly dependent upon it. As a gemstone, it is resistant to scratching and abrasion, which ensures that a finished gem will retain its brilliance and polish. Because of its hardness and the unique way in which it is manufactured, a diamond polishes very slowly. It forms an unusually flat, finely-polished ‘adamantine’ surface, with very sharp, straight edges between facets. No other gemstone can quite match this standard of polish.

Diamond has the highest coefficient of thermal conductivity of any known substance because the closely-packed crystal structure conducts heat very quickly. The thermal conductivity of diamond is five times higher than that of copper. This explains why a diamond feels cold to the touch when first picked up but quickly becomes warm from the heat of your fingers.

Only about one-fifth of all mined diamonds could be considered of gem quality. From 40 to 250 tons of gravel and sand must be processed today to recover one rough diamond from the world’s thinning diamond deposits. Experts estimate that all known supplies of diamonds will be depleted within 30 to 40 years. 75 – 80% of all diamonds mined are used for industrial applications such as drilling, grinding, or sawing. The remainder are used for jewellery or investment. Less than 2% of the diamonds mined are of such high quality that they may be considered investment quality.

On average, 250 tons of ore must be mined and processed to produce a one carat diamond of gem quality. When the mining operation is completed, sorters look at rough diamonds, separating them into small piles by shape, size, and quality, a long and laborious process.

The earliest examples of diamonds in human hands were found 3,000 years ago, in India. There, diamonds were used primarily as talismans to ward off evil and protect the wearer in battle. Diamonds were also used by the early Chinese, Greeks, and Romans as an engraving tool. While there was some mystique surrounding diamonds because they were so rare and difficult to obtain–many early cultures believed they had magical properties

The word “diamond” comes from the Greek word “adamas” meaning unconquerable, in reference to the eternity of love. In 1477, Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy, thus, starting the tradition of diamond engagement rings. The reason a woman wears an engagement ring on her third finger of her left hand dates back to the Egyptian belief that the vena amoris (vein of love) ran directly from the heart to the top of that finger.

Many of the rarest diamonds occur by rare accidents of nature in shades of pink, blue, green, amber, or even red. These diamonds are referred to as “Fancy” diamonds and are evaluated by a different set of color standards. Fancy diamonds are the most expensive due to their extreme rarity.

Towards the middle of the 20th century, De Beers began using its slogan “a diamond is forever” in its advertising. Their campaign was so successful that today, diamonds are strongly associated with engagement rings–and eternal love.

It is the only gem mineral composed of a single element making it the purest of earth’s gemstones. Therefore it is fitting that the purest and most brilliant of all the world’s gemstones make the diamond engagement ring the perfect symbol of eternal love.

Buying Diamonds & Engagement Rings

Diamonds are big business across the globe and Australia in particular has a huge diamonds industry operated by dependable traders who are part of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia. Not everyone who deals in diamonds is a member of the Diamond Dealers Club. There is a strict screening of applicants to the club to make sure that they are dependable, ethical, and financially secure. This means that only the leading diamond dealers and merchants qualify for membership.

Diamonds, they say, are a girl’s best friend, hardly surprising when you consider the amount of work that goes into mining them, and how much these diamonds are worth on the open market. However, it has not always been a simple matter to find a diamond engagement ring in a style that you want but, it is possible to buy a loose certified diamond and then have it set in a custom designed engagement ring for that special person.

Diamond Imports are a renowned founding member of the Diamond Dealers Club of Australia and are well known for their expertise in the jewellery industry and for the quality of their diamonds. As one of Australia’s foremost dealers in diamonds the company is noted for the cut and quality of their diamonds – more importantly Diamond Imports make it their business to ensure that their clients have the knowledge to make an informed decision when choosing diamonds.

It is a simple matter to have a beautiful diamond that you want made up in a ring design of your choice because Diamond Imports sells certified loose diamonds and also have their own team of master jewelers. The company only deals in quality diamonds which are independently guaranteed and certified by compliant, internationally recognized diamond grading laboratories. In the Australian diamond business the name Diamond Imports is associated with the best quality and finest cut diamonds.

Diamond Imports will provide knowledge and education about their quality stones for customers looking to buy diamonds. They deal in loose diamonds, certified diamonds, wholesale diamonds as well as custom made diamond engagement rings, wedding rings and other jewellery.

When you have your loose diamond made into the ring of your choice by a reputable dealer such as Diamond Imports you won’t have to just settle for a ready made ring or deal with a harried shop assistant who may not always be able to tell you very much about the diamond – when you buy your diamond from Diamond Imports you can rest assured that they will provide you with all the information you require concerning your diamond as well as a stunning hand made engagement ring.

Buying a diamond that is going to be made into an engagement ring is something that, hopefully, you only do once, so you want the best quality diamond you can afford. The cut of a diamond is extremely important and it is what gives a diamond its sparkle, fire and brilliance. The most popular cuts for engagement rings are round brilliant cut and princess cut diamonds. There are other fancy shape diamonds which are unique and very beautiful, these include the pear and oval cut, asscher and cushion cuts as well as radiant, trilliant, marquise and emerald cut diamonds.

The price of the loose diamond that you buy is determined by its clarity, cut, carat weight and color as well as the shape of the stone. When you buy loose diamonds that have been independently certified you can be assured of the quality and you don’t have to depend on the pre-set designs on offer in most jewellery stores. Even those jewelers that carry loose stones have only a very limited number to choose from, which means you are restricted to the carat weight, color and cut that they have on offer. When you buy a diamond from a reputable diamond dealer like Diamond Imports you can be sure of the highest quality and a good selection of certified diamonds which you are able to compare and view before buying, which means that you always have a reliable investment and you buy diamonds with confidence.

Princess Cut Diamonds

The Princess Cut Diamond is a brilliant style diamond shape with sharp, uncut corners. It is typically cut square although there are sometimes princess cut diamonds that have a rectangular shape.

The princess cut is the most important new cut or shape for diamonds since the invention or perfection of the modern brilliant cut over 60 years ago. The princess cut diamond is effectively a square version of the round brilliant cut, and is known technically as a square modified brilliant cut.

The princess cut was originally created by Israel Itzkowitz in 1979 at Ambar Diamonds in Los Angeles. After three years of optical research the princess cut was developed. It was a square diamond from the girdle up that had faceting similar to that of a round brilliant cut diamond from the girdle down. This accounts for the fire and brilliance seen in princess cut diamonds.

Princess cut diamonds are the most popular non-round diamond. They have a beautiful brilliance and a modern square shape that accentuates a diamond’s fire rather than its luster. Princess cut diamonds have become a favourite diamond choice for engagement rings.

The princess cut diamond is usually less expensive than a round brilliant cut diamond of the same carat weight because a diamond cutter usually does not need to shave off as much diamond weight from the rough diamond. This ability to retain more crystal weight makes this shape popular amongst diamond cutters and therefore less expensive than round brilliant cut diamonds.

The princess cut diamond is normally close to a square with a + or – 10% deviation, but it may come in more elongated versions. Try to avoid extremely thin girdles which are prone to chipping when being set. For a princess cut diamond that is square, a length to width ratio between 1:0 – 1:10 is best, if you prefer a more rectangular shape then a length to width ratio above 1:11 is best.

Diamond Imports has an exceptional range of Princess Cut Diamonds. A Princess Cut Diamond generally has 76 facets, giving it more brilliance and fire than the round brilliant. Princess cut diamonds are the most popular non-round diamond. They have a beautiful brilliance and a modern square shape that accentuates a diamond’s fire rather than its luster. Princess cut diamonds have become a favourite diamond choice for engagement rings.

Diamonds: Diamond Buying Advice

When you start to think about buying a diamond, you naturally will want the best diamond that you can afford and a beautiful stone you will treasure forever. Diamonds can be found in a range of shapes, sizes, qualities & colours. If you are about to buy a diamond for an engagement ring, you may want to consider spending the commonly accepted guideline of two months’ salary. However you should spend as much as you can comfortably afford. Buying a diamond is not like buying a car which will depreciate over time, they endure generations and are passed down in your family as an heirloom. Remember, diamonds ARE forever.

When buying diamonds, make sure you buy the best quality diamond that is within your budget. Do not buy a diamond just because it has been “discounted”or the diamond dealer is offering a “special price”. These “sale” prices and deals are nothing more than marketing hype and will not result in any real savings to the price of a diamond. The price of diamonds is controlled by international market conditions and the availability. Unlike other jewellery items, diamonds do not go on sale because they do not have huge profit margins or over inflated prices.

Do not confuse a diamonds carat weight with the size of a diamond. Two diamonds that have the same carat weight could have very different diameter measurements and appearance in actual size. A poorly cut 1.00ct diamond may look like a 0.75ct diamond from the top because they have the same diameter measurements even though their carat weights are different.

Diamonds are sold by their carat weight. A diamond cutter always tries to retain as much carat weight and as few inclusions when cutting a diamond. Sometimes the cut of a diamond might be sacrificed in order to produce a diamond with a higher carat weight. Diamonds that have a higher cut quality – excellent, ideal and very good cut diamonds – will sparkle with far more brilliance and fire than poorly cut diamonds which have a lower cut grade.

The value of a diamond is determined by its exact quality as defined by the 4C’s: Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat-Weight. It is the sparkle or brilliance that gives a diamond its unique quality. Many people become overwhelmed when they start searching for a diamond. It seems that the fear of either buying a diamond that is not very good quality or paying too much can cause people to go on a quest to become a diamond expert overnight. Getting knowledge and educated about diamonds and the 4C’s – Cut, Colour, Clarity & Carat Weight – is a big first step towards buying the right diamond.

Before you start diamond shopping, it is best to have an understanding of what you are buying and the process behind buying a diamond. Today on the internet there is no shortage of information available, especially when it comes to learning about diamonds. Here are a few important steps when embarking on the purchase of a diamond –

Gain a basic understanding of the qualities of a fine diamond.

Learn about diamonds, do your homework before you start looking. There are many good websites that offer comprehensive Diamond Education sections where you are able to learn about diamonds and The 4C’s – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. These are the criteria that diamonds are graded and valued upon.

Set a personal budget.

This will dictate a lot of the parameters for the diamond you are searching for. Then obtain a realistic idea of what diamonds cost and the various diamond prices. Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds are the most popular shape of diamond for engagement rings however they also are higher priced than a fancy shape diamond. Setting a personal budget will save you a lot of time and it will help you to not over extend yourself financially.

Decide on the diamond specifications.

What shape of Diamond do you prefer? Remember that diamonds are cut in many different shapes besides Round Brilliant and Princess Cuts. Fancy Shape diamonds such as Asscher, Cushion, Emerald, Oval, Pear, Marquise, Trilliant and Radiant Cut Diamonds all make unique engagement rings and create beautiful jewellery when set in individual designs. Once you have decided on the shape of the diamond you wish to buy then start deciding on your other preferences such as the carat size, the diamond colour, the diamond purity and the diamond cut quality.

Insist on a Diamond Certificate.

A diamond certificate or diamond grading report documents the complete quality and description of the diamond, it includes information on shape, carat weight, clarity, fluorescence, colour grade, measurements, proportions and finish grade. A diamond certificate also confirms that the diamond is natural and is not synthetic or man-made. Diamond Grading Laboratories such as GIA, AGS, HRD & DCLA are all internationally recognized and compliant grading laboratories.

View the diamond in person where possible.

Compare the quality of the diamond next to other diamonds before you purchase. Cut is the only factor that man can control. Cut refers not only to the shape and style of the diamond, but its proportions, symmetry, and finish or “make”. Cut determines the brilliance and fire of the diamond and is actually one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing your diamond.

We understand that when searching for the right diamond the task can at times be daunting and very confusing. Just comparing diamonds on price alone is not nearly good enough, you need to be able to compare the diamonds next to each other to see which diamond is the better quality and appeals to you the most.

Price of Diamonds

What Influences The Price of Diamonds?

Diamonds are cut in a range of shapes, sizes and qualities all of which influence the price. Diamonds that have an excellent or very good cut grade will reflect maximum fire, brilliance and sparkle and the price of these diamonds will be higher than diamonds with a good cut grade.

The Shape of Diamonds

Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds are the most popular diamonds for diamond engagement rings followed by Princess Cut Diamonds. Any diamond that is not Round in shape is known as a Fancy Shape Diamond. Asscher, Cushion, Emerald, Heart, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Princess, Radiant and Trilliant cut diamonds are all fancy shape diamonds.

Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds are the most expensive mainly because when cutting a Round Brilliant Cut diamond there is a greater loss in rough which has to be factored into the price. Another reason why Round Brilliant Cut diamonds are priced higher is because they take longer to polish and cut than other diamond shapes and the demand for Round Brilliant Cut diamonds is greater than all the other diamond shapes.

Clarity Influences Diamond Prices The Most

The clarity grade of a diamond influences the price obtained more than any of the other factors. Diamonds that have high clarity grades of VVS1 or VVS2 have extremely hard to find inclusions even with a jewellers 10x loupe. These diamonds are almost pure and rarer to find than diamonds with lower clarity grades such as SI1 or SI2 and therefore command a much higher price. The rarest of diamonds have an Internally Flawless Diamonds -IF or Loupe Clean clarity grade and these diamonds fetch premium prices.

Colour Influences Diamond Prices

Colour is another important factor that influences the price of a diamond. Diamonds are graded for their colour alphabetically starting at D colour going down to Z colour. Diamonds that are colourless or show the least amount of colour obtain the highest prices along with fancy coloured diamonds such as pink, red, green and blue diamonds. Diamonds that display the least amount of colour are known as exceptional white. Exceptional white diamonds includes D and E colour graded diamonds. Rare white is the next colour grade and this includes F and G colour diamonds. H colour diamonds are graded as white and I and J colour diamonds are known as slightly tinted white diamonds.

Cut Influences Sparkle, Shine & The Price of Diamonds

Did you know that if the diamond is poorly cut, the colour and clarity can not make up for it? The cut of a diamond is what makes a rough diamond sparkle and shine. If a diamond is poorly cut, the light that enters the diamond from above will leak out of the sides and bottom of the stone, and the diamond will not have the optimum amount of sparkle or fire—regardless of its colour or clarity.

Excellent and Ideal Cut Diamonds have been cut to precise standards to display the beauty of the diamond. Excellent and Ideal Cut Diamonds have perfection in proportion, symmetry and polish and they will always display the maximum brilliance, fire & scintillation.

Excellent and Ideal Cut Diamonds have properly proportioned facets, excellent symmetry & polish. Since 97.5% of a diamond’s brilliance is controlled by the quality of the cut Excellent and Ideal cut diamonds obtain higher prices. The Diamond Cut Grade is made up of three main controlling factors – Proportion, Symmetry and Polish. The light return of the diamond more commonly known as sparkle or brilliance is also an important factor but it is governed by the proportions and symmetry of the diamond cut.

Diamonds with a Very Good cut grade reflect most of the light that enters them, dispersing a good deal of brilliance. Very Good cut diamonds have proportions which often overlap and are comparable to Excellent cut diamonds but just differ slightly in one area or measurement. Very Good cut diamonds are also highly valued.

Diamonds are Sold By Carat Weight

Carat is a unit of measure not size. Two diamonds that have the same carat weight may appear to be different sizes depending on how the diamond is cut. Some diamonds will have extra weight on the bottom part of the diamond, the pavilion, or a thick girdle and therefore will appear smaller visually.

Diamonds are sold by their carat weight. The heavier a diamond weighs once it is cut the higher the price per carat. A diamond cutter always try to retain as much carat weight and as few inclusions when cutting a diamond in order to obtain the best possible price per carat. Sometimes the cut of a diamond might be sacrificed in order to produce a diamond with a higher carat weight. Hundreds of tons of rock and ore must be processed to uncover a single one-carat gem quality diamond.

4C’s – Cut, Colour, Clarity & Carat

After diamonds have been sorted into their different shapes they are then assessed with what is known as The 4C’s- The Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat weight. These individual factors are all combined resulting in the price of the diamond. The price of diamonds is also influenced by international market conditions such as exchange rates, supply and demand, fashion trends as well as inflation.

Diamonds, just like your marriage, are an investment, and have been an investment device for several thousand years. Diamonds are a symbol of love and commitment so buying the perfect diamond for an engagement ring or that special occasion is a crucially important decision.

Diamond Imports is one of Australia’s largest importers of loose diamonds specialising in Excellent Cut and Ideal Cut diamonds, Certified diamonds and fancy shape diamonds – www.diamondimports.com.au