Diamond Colour:

The fire in a diamond, most people think of the beautiful reds, blues, and yellows we see when a diamond flashes in the sun light.  Nature provides a continuous darkening in the tints from white to yellow, white to brown, and white to green based on minor impurities in the stone (sometimes as few as 1 part per million can effect the colour of a diamond).  Colour is determined by the ability of the human eye to separate one tint from an adjacent one that is slightly lighter or darker. 

Because of the diamond��s high brilliance and dispersion of light, the colour grade cannot be accurately determined by looking at the stone from the top (face up) position.  It is best to observe colour by examining the stone through the side of the pavilion (bottom of the stone) with the diamond upside down in a white paper grading trough.  Please note in the illustration below the stone can be examined in several positions to obtain an accurate colour grade. 

The colour grading classification starts from D, the finest colour (colourless), and proceeds through the alphabet to z getting progressively more yellow.  A set of master comparison stones calibrated to the exact colour of every other colour: E, G, I ... is used for grading diamonds for colour. This allow for the accurate colour grading of the diamond.

The grades D, E & F are exceptionally fine white diamonds being referred to as colourless.  E colour diamonds are extremely close to D colour diamonds, however the colour variance can only be detected in a controlled grading environment. 

Diamond Clarity:

Grading diamonds for clarity is the process for classifying the imperfections, both internal and external. Imperfections are called inclusions when internal and blemishes when external. In order to accurately classify clarity in polished diamonds we need to have several levels of clarity. GIA has standardized a simple but detailed system.

FL-Flawless - These stones have no imperfections inside or on the outside of the stone under the magnification of a loupe of 10X magnification.

IF-Internally Flawless - This grade is awarded to diamonds with no internal flaws and only minor external blemishes.  Nicks pits or girdle roughness, not on the table, which could be removed in re-polishing.

VVS1, VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Imperfect - These stones have very, very small inclusions, which are extremely difficult to see under a loupe of 10X magnification.

VS1, VS2 - Very Slightly Imperfect - These stones have very small inclusions, which are slightly difficult to see under a loupe of 10X magnification.

SI1, SI2 - Slightly Imperfect - These stones have inclusions, which are fairly easy to see under with a 10X magnification, and can be seen with the naked eye.

I1, I2, and I3 - Imperfect (sometimes referred to as P1, P2 & P3 - pique) - These stones have inclusions ranging from eye visible to very visible to the naked eye.

Flaws are natural in diamonds & are caused by pressure and or temperature variations during formation.  There are many types of imperfections, internal inclusions and external flaws.

Diamond inclusions won't necessarily detract from the beauty of a diamond & can of course be used to easily identify your individual stone.

Examples of Internal flaws or Inclusions

Pinpoints - A small usually whitish dot that is difficult to see.  There can be a number of pinpoints -cluster- or a cloud of pinpoints.

Dark Spot - A small crystal inclusion or thin flat inclusion that reflects the light like a mirror.

Colourless crystal - This is a small crystal of diamond, and sometimes-another mineral.

Cleavage - A small cleavage is a fissure that has a flat plane, which if struck in a certain direction, could cause the diamond to split.

Feather - This is another name for fissure.  A feather is not dangerous if small and does not open through a facet.

Bearding or girdle fringes - Result from hastiness in the bruiting process when giving the diamond its initial shape in the cutting process.

Growth or grain lines - These can only be seen when rotating the diamond slowly during examination.  They appear and disappear usually instantaneously and will appear in groups.  

Types of External flaws or Blemishes

Natural - This usually occurs on the girdle and looks like a rough, unpolished area.  A natural is a remnant of the original skin of the diamond.  Indicates a shortage of rough or that the cutter made the largest acceptable diamond from the material he had to work with.

Nick - This is a small chip, usually on the girdle and can be caused by wear.  Sometimes a nick or chip can be seen on the edge of a facet.

Girdle roughness - This blemish appears as crisscrossed lines, and can be removed by re-polishing.

Pitts or cavities - Pits or holes on the table facets. 

Scratch - A scratch is usually a minor defect that can be removed by re-polishing. 

Polishing lines - Many diamonds exhibit polishing lines and are the result of badly maintained polishing wheels.

Abraded or rough culets - The culet has been chipped or poorly finished.

Clarity enhanced Diamonds:

Laser treatment - A laser is used to make flaws less visible.  A black spot can be vaporized and will disappear leaving a void in the diamond. 

Resin filling - Some forms of resin can be used to fill cavities, cleavages & dark spots etc.

Ejewelstore.com will advise you if any of our diamonds are clarity enhanced. We always specify whether our diamonds are Natural or clarity enhanced.

Laboratory Appraisals & Laser Inscription:

Some of our diamonds are EGL, GIA or other gemmological laboratory appraised & laser inscribed on the girdle of the diamond. This will be stated in our listings.

Other Appraisals:

Many of our diamond rings & other pieces of jewellery will come with a written appraisal, either from ejewelstore.com or another reputable appraisal firm. Our best efforts will always be made to provide an accurate appraisal for all jewellery over the value of $1000.

Please keep in mind that different appraisers can rate a diamond differently based on their experience & training. Some Jeweller's appraisals may also vary by virtue of discrimination towards various direct importers or other international appraisals. Often because they have missed a sale to you themselves, & want to discredit another seller's product & try to convince you to buy their product.

*All carat weights are approximate. Grading as mounting permits.

This appraisal will be an estimated replacement value for an item of similar quality, if the item were purchased from a retail jewellery store. This is not the expected resale value of the item.

Most jewellery appraisals can vary 25% or more depending on the opinion of the appraiser.

Ejewelstore does not accept any liability on this item or offer to repurchase it for the stated value.