Chapter X
Diamond guide
The four Cs, shown not told
Move the sliders to see how carat changes size on the hand, how colour shifts from icy to warm, what clarity grades look like under a loupe, and how cut decides the sparkle.
Carat
Weight, not size
One carat is 0.2 grams. A round 1 carat stone is about 6.4 mm across. Drag to compare on a size N finger.
Colour
From D to K
Tap a grade. Differences between neighbouring grades are hard to see on the hand; most of our clients choose between F and H.
Clarity
Under the loupe
Clarity grades the tiny natural marks inside a diamond, seen at ten times magnification.
Internally flawless: nothing visible even under ten times magnification. Rare and priced accordingly.
Very, very slightly included: marks so small a trained grader struggles to find them.
Very slightly included: small marks visible under the loupe, never to the eye. Our usual recommendation.
Slightly included: marks visible under the loupe and sometimes to a sharp eye. Good value in smaller stones.
Cut
Where the sparkle comes from
Cut is the only C made by people. A well cut stone sends light back out of the top; a deep or shallow one lets it leak away. We set excellent cuts only.
Ring size
Find a size at home
Measure around the finger with a strip of paper, in millimetres, at the end of the day when hands are warmest.
See the difference with your own eyes
Our gemmologist will put three grades side by side on your hand.