How To Choose Your Diamond
So you’ve decided to ask that special person the “I do” question and have no idea where to begin? Do not worry! We are here to help you choose the perfect stone.
Step 1
Study the 4 C's of a diamond and decide what's most imortant to you: the cut, size or colour of the stone. We will then take you beyond the 4 C's that is listed in this guide, to help you find the perfect stone.
Step 2
Next step is to determine your budget. This will help us to source your stones to fit within your budget.
Step 3
Choose your shape & cut. The most popular shapes are round and oval, but remember there are other shapes too.
Step 4
Once we have an idea of what you're looking for, we'll source a variety of diamonds for you, and send you high res photos and videos of the diamonds in order for you to select the perfect one for you. At Kolmio we look at each and every diamond we purchase for our clients in real life, before sending it to you as an option to consider.
Step 5
When the decision is made, we are ready to finalise the design and begin to manufacture your dream ring!
The 4 C’s of a Diamond
The Cut
We often think of a diamond’s cut as a shape (round, cushion, oval, pear), but what diamond cut actually refers to is how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. Cut is the most important aspect as it ultimately determines the sparkle of the diamond. A great cut can make your diamond appear brighter than a bigger poor-cut stone.
Cut is graded on a scale from Excellent to Poor and incorporates the diamond’s proportions, culet size, girdle thickness, brightness, polish, and symmetry. At Kolmio we highly recommend going for an Excellent or Very Good Cut diamond where you can. This will ensure that your diamond has maximum sparkle and life.
The Colour
Colour evaluation of most gem-quality diamonds is based on the absence of color. A chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue. The whiter the diamond, the higher the value and rarity. Colour grading starts at D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
To the untrained eye, it's difficult to distinguish between the different colours, but these distinctions have a huge impact in diamond quality and price. It's important to work with a diamond expert to help you choose the best colour for your diamond.
Traditionally “the whiter the better”, but we also love working with the most interesting, unusual colours of diamonds like cognac and yellow. The most popular white diamond colours we work with is in the G-J colour bracket.
The Clarity
Virtually all diamonds have imperfections called inclusions or blemishes. The less internal features it has, the more light refracts through and the higher the value and price. Most inclusions or blemishes are too tiny to be seen by the naked eye. A trained diamond grader will however notice them. To the naked eye, a VS1 and an SI2 diamond may look exactly the same, but these diamonds are quite different in terms of overall quality and the price. It's important to work with a diamond expert to guide you on the differences and help you choose your perfect diamond.
Carat Weight
Carat refers to the weight of the stone, not the size. Carat weight can increase the price of the diamond significantly, because larger stones are rarer and more desirable. Furthermore, two diamonds of the same carat weight can have different values and prices, depending on the other three factors (cut, colour & clarity).
Unique & Rare Diamonds
Champagne or Cognac
These are gorgeous rich amber tones of diamonds. A personal favourite! These diamonds are rare and rich natural brown diamonds. Tones ranging from C1, the lighter champagne colour, to C7, the rich dark brown colour. Like the French drink, cognac, it speaks luxury and elegance. These diamonds are available in the traditional Brilliant Cut as well as the Rose Cut, in a variety of shapes.
Yellow Diamonds
Have you ever heard of yellow diamonds?
Yellow diamonds are a type of coloured diamond, categorised as "Fancy" when their colour falls outside the standard D-Z range. These rare gemstones are highly valued for their unique beauty.
What causes the yellow colour?
The presence of nitrogen atoms within the diamond's structure gives it a yellow hue. The deeper the yellow colour, the more valuable the diamond.
How does the setting of a ring affect the colour?
When set in yellow gold, the colour of the stone would appear deeper, while a white gold or platinum setting will make the colour appear lighter.
If you're looking for custom designed ring with an unique diamond, reach out to us to start the process. We would love to work with you!
Rose Cut
The rose cut diamond dates back to the early 1500’s. Rose cuts are flat bottomed and domed shaped featuring triangular facets on the tipped crown. The rose cut diamond resembles the shape of a rose bud. It’s very commonly used in antique jewellery.
Diamond Shapes
Diamond shapes are categorised into two groups: round and fancy shape diamonds. Round brilliant cut diamonds are the most traditional diamond shape and are timeless. The diamond shape you choose, should be a reflection of your personal style.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.