For a private individual or a professional, the purchase of a diamond rests on several selection criteria. These criteria are grouped in 4 points: the cut, the colour, the clarity and the carat, which is similar to the weight. Also, to analyze a diamond with these 4C it is necessary to study it in daylight, if possible on a day of good weather and with an exposure towards the north. It is under these conditions that the analysis will be most accurate.

CUT : The cut of a diamond is very important, it is the one that will give the brilliance to the stone. A meticulous cut will present a stone with symmetrical and ligned facets to best reflect the light. There are different sizes, at the buyer’s choice: round, marquise, cushion, baguette, pear…

CLARITY : Due to the natural creation of diamonds in the bowels of the Earth, these tones present, at different scales, internal inclusions or external imperfections, defects or cracks. The stones are therefore classified from FL (Flawless for “Pure”) to I (Included for “Pitted”). COLOUR: Diamonds exist in different colours. The hues vary from a bright white, almost transparent, to a pale yellow. These colours are based on a scale from D to Z to know precisely the colour of a diamond.

CARAT: The carat is the universal unit of measurement for the weight of a diamond. This weight therefore has a direct impact on the price of the stone. Namely: 1 carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams.

Another aspect exists in the choice of a diamond, its “fluorescence”. Studied thanks to an ultraviolet lamp, this technique makes it possible to see in 95% of the cases the degree of fluorescence of a stone. There are various colors, from the most common to the rarest, such as green, yellow, orange or a combination of colors. If a diamond does not shine and that it remains dark, its quality is thus low.

In addition to all these criteria, it is very important to ask for a certificate when buying stone. The GIA certificate (Gemological Institute of America) is better known and recognized by the sector. It serves as a guarantee of product quality, but also of price. It also helps to reassure the buyer in case of potential fraud on the stone. The GIA, HRD and IGI certificates are established by expert diamond specialists and are truly the identity card of a diamond.