How to find your way to see the very best in diamond clarity
When you think of a diamond, you are probably picturing the sparkle and brilliance of that precious stone. This is why diamond clarity is one of the most important aspects of each and every diamond.
There is a common mistake that people make when they are looking at buying the most beautiful diamond ring they can afford. Too many people concentrate purely on the size of the diamond or the weight of the diamond.
Of the 4 C’s in grading a diamond – Carat, Colour, Clarity and Cut – it is the importance of clarity that is often overlooked.
A clear look at diamond clarity
Diamond clarity is how clearly a diamond appears.
The key thing to remember is that all diamonds are unique but none of them are perfect.
It’s not hard to see why when you consider that they form underground through the forces of incredible ground pressure and immense heat. It’s only natural that there will be blemishes and flaws.
Any flaws on the surface of the diamond are called ‘blemishes’. Defects inside the diamond are referred to as ‘inclusions’. There will almost always be small or even tiny imperfections on the surface and within the stone.
These blemishes and inclusions have little to no effect on the beauty of the diamond. The fact is that you cannot see most inclusions with the naked eye.
Most inclusions in gem-quality diamonds have no effect to the performance or structural integrity of the diamond. Large clouds can affect how the light is transmitted and sparkles from the diamond. Cracks that are close to or break the surface of the diamond could make the diamond less resistant to fracturing.
Some terms to remember
There are some technical terms and meanings that may confuse the average person.
One term which jewellers and gemmologists use is referring to inclusions as ‘internal characteristics’ rather than flaws. These are what give a natural diamond its character.
Diamonds with the least amount and smallest sized inclusions are given the highest clarity grades. This is reflected in the higher price tag.
The question is – do you want to break your bank buying a diamond with the highest possible clarity or do you want the most affordable and beautiful diamond for your ring?
Keep in mind that the shape of the diamond plays a key role in the overall look and can enhance the diamond clarity.
Different diamond shapes make a difference to clarity. These include:
· Round,
· Princess,
· Oval,
· Marquise,
· Pear and Heart-shaped diamonds
All these shapes do not require as high level of a clarity grade. By using a cut with a brilliant facet pattern, these shapes will naturally hide a number of inclusions. The cut does this through its ability to reflect light from a number of different angles.
A sparkling diamond ring is always going to look better than one that hardly seems to shine at all.
A clear look at diamond clarity
Nearly all diamonds have an impurity that can be anything from the crystals of a different material or even another diamond crystal. The size, number, colour, position and visibility of any inclusions all affect the clarity of a diamond.
Diamond clarity is graded according to the overall appearance of the stone under ten times magnification. Minor blemishes or inclusions can be useful as unique identifying marks – a bit like diamond fingerprints.
With the difference between natural and ‘Lab-made’ or synthetic diamonds becoming more difficult to distinguish, these inclusions or blemishes can be proof that the diamond is of natural origin.
You can see why diamond clarity is both important and can be confusing. That’s why it makes sense to talk to a trusted jeweller who can answer your questions and guide you to the best possible choice of diamond ring. Franco Jewellers are that trusted team
Why choosing Franco Jewellers pays off
With help from Franco Jewellers, you can find a diamond ring that suits your style, your taste and your budget.
Imagine having your own exquisite diamond ring created with the best in quality, craftsmanship and something to treasure for your life? Make it happen today.
It’s the special one on one customer service that goes to show you how special you are.
Talk to Franco Jewellers now – because you’re worth it
There is more to know about diamond carats than meets the eye
When it comes to the 4 C’s, how important are diamond carats?
If you’ve ever heard talk about diamonds then you have probably heard about the 4 C’s.
These are Cut, Colour, Carat and Clarity.
The thing about diamond carats is not as clear as understanding how the cut, the colour and the clarity of the diamond. A beautiful diamond ring is made by taking the best of all these elements and combining them into one wonderful piece.
Most people assume the higher the number of diamond carats, the better the diamond ring.
That’s a misconception that can lead people into making a terrible and expensive mistake.
What is a diamond carat?
A carat is the unit of weight (shown as ‘ct’) that diamonds are measured and sold by. The carat actually comes from the word ‘carob’ seed. These seeds were the unit of measure for diamond traders from hundreds of years ago.
Carob seeds have been used throughout history to measure precious metals and jewellery because it was thought that they did not vary in weight even in huge amounts and mass distribution. This was taken as fact, but their mass actually varies almost as much as any other type of seed.
Since ancient times, each country had its own carat. It was most often used for the weighing of gold. It was only in the early 1570s that it was used to measure the weights of diamonds. Since then, diamond carats have become their own special unit of measure.
Diamond Carats and Size
The confusion about how diamond carats and the size of a diamond relate to the value of the diamond is still alive today.
People often take it that the diamonds are sold by the carat and that specifically relates to the diamond size. It’s important to know that diamond carats are a unit of weight and not size at all.
This then leads to the mistake of comparing the value of diamonds by their carat weight. Creating a diamond is a true work of art. If you compare two diamonds by carat weight, you are making the mistake of comparing the value of an artwork purely by its size.
A huge sculpture by an unskilled artist may be larger than a smaller classic art gallery piece, but that doesn’t mean it will be worth more.
It is true that larger diamonds are rarer than smaller ones and the value of the diamond increases with the carat weight. The key thing to take note of is that the increase in the value is not in proportion to the increase in size.
As an example – if you have two diamonds that have the same Colour, Clarity and Cut grading, the 1 carat diamond will cost MORE than double that of a ½ carat diamond.
Two diamonds of the same weight can differ greatly in value too. This all depends on the other 4 C factors of Cut, Colour and Clarity. If a diamond is poorly cut, the added weight could in fact reduce the brilliance of the diamond.
Seeing the difference in diamonds
You can see the difference in weight vs cut in two different diamonds.
If you look at a verified Ideal (or Excellent) cut diamond and one that is not, you will see a clear difference in how weight and cut work.
It is a mistake to pretend to know more about diamond carats, cuts, clarity and what colours of the diamond mean.
Remember that buying a diamond ring can be a large outlay. It makes sense not to make it costly for all the wrong reasons. That’s why asking for help and guidance from a trusted jeweller is one of the best investments you can make.
You want to stay away having to hear pushy sales talk or fancy, technical jargon. You need to be comfortable enough to ask any questions that you have.
That’s why Franco Jewellers are the team to talk to
Why choosing Franco Jewellers pays off
With Franco Jewellers on your side, you can be sure you make the best possible choice in a diamond ring to suit you.
This is your best chance to find a high quality diamond ring created with the best in craftsmanship and something to treasure for a lifetime.
It’s the special one on one customer service that goes to show you how special you are.
Talk to Franco Jewellers today – because you’re worth it.
What are the different diamond colours and what do they mean to you
Of all the different diamond colours you can choose from, which is the best
When it comes to the importance of diamond characteristics, it is diamond colours that can be a little overwhelming and confusing. There is already a great deal to think about when it comes to finding a beautiful diamond ring without worrying if you are choosing the right or wrong coloured diamond.
Let’s try and take you through the ins and outs of the different diamond colours to help you choose a diamond that you will be able to cherish for years to come.
There are some common misconceptions and misunderstandings about the colour of a diamond and what effect it has on the beauty and value of the stone.
The different Diamond Colours
One critical thing to know about diamonds is that no gem-sized natural diamond is absolutely perfect.
The whole point of a diamond is how it stands as a symbol of rarity, value and longevity.
This is why a diamond ring symbolises a love that is rare, priceless and timeless.
There are a number of different diamond colours which include:
· White
– Blue
· Yellow
· Orange
· Grey
· Green
· Pink (through to purple)
· Brown
· Black
That is quite a variety of colours on offer, but what do those different diamond colours mean
The meaning of different Diamond Colours
The colour of a diamond refers to how clear or how yellow it is. As a general rule, the highest quality diamonds are colourless and lower quality ones often have a yellow tint.
Diamond colours are measured on the GIA colour scale that ranges from D (the colourless) and down to Z (light yellow or brown coloured).
There are distinctly coloured diamonds such as blue, pink and yellow which are highly prized. However, in white diamonds, a tint of yellow is not considered desirable.
Diamonds that have a slight colouring will reflect less natural colour of the light back to the eye. This is why a more colourless diamond is usually more radiant, valuable and unique.
This means that depending on the shade of colour and how intense that colour, it will either add or detract in the diamond’s value.
The famous Hope Diamond is valued extremely highly because of its intense blue colour.
Finding the right diamond colour for you
Probably the most important factor to keep in mind when you are buying a diamond ring is to keep to your budget.
Whilst you might love to choose the most colourless diamond around, you will be paying a high price that may put your finances under an unnecessary strain.
To get the most sparkle in your diamond and for your money, it’s best to choose Cut over all the other of the 4Cs such as colour. Remember that a precision cut is the key ingredient in any truly beautiful and dazzling diamond.
Speak to a trusted jeweller who can take your through all the ins and outs of choosing the right diamond ring for you and your beloved.
See someone who listens to what you want and can guide you without any of the pushy sales talk or technical jargon. You want to feel comfortable asking any question you have.
That’s why Franco Jewellers are the team to talk to.
Why it pays to choose Franco Jewellers
With Franco Jewellers there beside you, your choice in a diamond ring will be the right one.
You will be able to choose a diamond ring of the highest quality, the best in craftsmanship and something you can treasure for a lifetime.
It’s all about the special one on one customer service that shows you how special you are.
Talk to Franco Jewellers today – because you’re worth it.
What is the importance of diamond cuts to the quality and look of your diamond ring?
What is the importance of diamond cuts to the quality and look of your diamond ring?
Almost everyone would love a diamond ring. The sparkle, the magic, the mystery is all there in that special stone. How important are diamond cuts to the style and beauty of your diamond ring?
Most people would struggle to tell the difference between a well cut or cheaply made diamond. It’s all about a special thing called diamond cuts.
What exactly are diamond cuts?
A diamond cut is basically how well a diamond has been cut and polished. It doesn’t have anything to do with the shape of the diamond – such as pear or oval – it’s only about how symmetrical, well-proportioned and the quality of the polish.
The way a diamond is cut is of the most importance. Diamond cuts affect the overall brilliance of the diamond. If it is poorly or disproportionately cut, the diamond will be less luminous and poorer in value.
Cut is probably the most important of the 4Cs (that’s Cut, Carat, Colour and Clarity).
Any mistake in the cut can and will damage the value and look of the diamond.
This is particularly true with round diamonds. Even though they are all uniform in their shape, there can be a huge difference between a well cut diamond and a poorly cut one.
For example, while one diamond may have a higher colour grading than another one, it will be the latter that looks more beautiful and brilliant if the diamond cut is done well and the first diamond is cut badly.
Diamond cuts are the make or break of the diamond itself.
The changes to diamonds and diamond cuts
The history of diamond cuts has been traced right back to the Middle Ages.
Using a special theory as the basis for diamond cutting didn’t fully develop until the start of the 20th Century. Creation and innovation in the design continued to develop over time until the present day. This has meant a whole variety of unique diamond cuts have emerged.
The diamond cut is the process of modifying and shaping the diamond crystal in a symmetrical arrangement. The skills of every diamond cutter include finding the best choice of cut after considering key factors, such as the shape and size of the crystal.
With the advances in technology such as laser cutting and using computer design, there are now diamond cuts whose complexity, aesthetic appeal, and reduction in waste were unthinkable in years gone by.
The growing popularity of the different diamond cuts
The most popular of diamond cuts is the modern round brilliant. The arrangements and proportions have been perfected by special analysis.
The round brilliant cut is made on a round stone with 58 facets.
A single cut is a simpler form of a round diamond cutting and is done with only 18 facets. Any other style of diamond cuts than the round brilliant or single cuts is called a fancy cut, or sometimes, a fancy shape.
Fancy cuts come in a variety of shapes, most of these resulted from the round brilliant.
The cut of a diamond is evaluated by specially trained graders. Higher grades are given to stones which have a symmetry and the proportions that are closest to the particular
benchmark or ‘ideal’. It is this ideal the dictates the proportions and angles and the excellence of the polish.
The strictest standards are applied to the round brilliant cut; although its facet count does not vary, its proportions can.
Beware the diamond buyer
It can be easy to be tempted by the simple look of a diamond. They are a sparkling, dazzling and almost hypnotic gem.
You need to be aware of the pitfalls in buying just any diamond or diamond ring.
For example, the majority of fancy shaped diamonds on the market are usually poorly cut. Your chances of finding a truly well cut diamond in a store are sadly, very limited.
That’s where you need to see a trusted jeweller – one who is happy to take you through all the pros and cons of the different diamond cuts without pushing you to buy.
That’s where Franco Jewellers stands out from the crowd.
Why it pays to go to Franco Jewellers
With Franco Jewellers, you’ll always know that the diamond ring you choose is of the highest quality, the very best craftsmanship and one you can treasure for all the years to come.
Enjoy the special one on one customer service that shows you how special you are.
Talk to Franco Jewellers today – because you can and because you’re worth it.
What is it about an oval cut that makes it the best choice for your diamond ring?
Of all the different diamond cuts there is one that has a special charm for a diamond ring. That is where an oval cut shines brightest as something out of the ordinary and can bring you an extraordinary looking piece of jewellery.
There has always been a move to go beyond the simple but classic look of a round cut diamond. The popularity of the different diamond cuts grew considerably over the years.
These variations have distinct stories of innovation and a wish to expand the craft of diamond cutting.
Round Cut to Round Cut Brilliant
The original diamond cuts were limited in nature.
The first of the cuts was the round cut. This began as far back as 1650 with the Mazarin cut which was transformed through the 1700’s with the Portuguese Peruzzi cut and became the modern day Tolkowsky cut in 1919.
This revolutionised the way diamonds were cut.
The young Tolkowsky is said to have wandered London streets asking passers-by to choose the most appealing diamond from his small set of samples. With the ‘person on the street’ opinions and preferences, he was able to work in his family’s business and devise the proportions for the best-looking diamonds.
As a mathematician, he was able to use applied mathematics and physics to prove how to achieve this ‘ideal’ looking diamond. The results were the most beautiful of all diamonds.
Where diamond cuts can take you
A diamond cut is basically how well a diamond has been cut and polished. It doesn’t have anything to do with the shape of the diamond – such as pear or oval – it’s only about how symmetrical, well-proportioned and the quality of the polish.
Diamond cuts are all about making the most of each feature and creating a special overall brilliance of the diamond.
Oval cut diamonds are part of the round series of cuts and have a special place as one of the most sought after brilliant cuts in that series. When these diamonds are of a high colour grade, they are renowned for their ability to reflect the light in the most stunning way.
The benefits of an oval cut diamond
As with the other round cut and elongated diamonds, the oval cut adds a stylistic touch whilst making the fingers of the wearer appear more slender and elegant. This is how and why an oval cut diamond ring grew in popularity.
The oval cut design was a 1960’s innovation from the leading Russian diamond cutter at the time, Lazare Kaplan. He gained great admiration for his method of splitting a larger rough stone into several smaller ones with one precision strike. It was the introduction of the oval cut though that changed the way diamonds were presented throughout the world.
Whenever you buy oval cut diamonds in Melbourne or throughout Australia, make sure you are talking to a jeweller you can trust.
You need to see someone who is happy to explain the benefits of each of the diamond cuts without any of that pushy sales talk.
That’s where Franco Jewellers are the team to remember.
It always pays to go to Franco Jewellers
With Franco Jewellers, you’ll always know that the diamond ring you choose is of the highest quality, the very best craftsmanship and one you can treasure for all the years to come.
Enjoy the special one on one customer service that shows you how special you are.
Talk to Franco Jewellers today – because you can and because you’re worth it.
What can you do if you’re thinking of having a wedding during Covid 19 in Victoria?
Why weddings in Victoria are still going ahead despite Covid 19
It is easy to see how hard it has been for couples who have planned their weddings in Victoria to deal with Covid 19.
What if you’ve done the whole engagement thing, with a special proposal and a beautiful diamond ring? You’ve set the date and gone through everything to have it all organised?
No-one could have predicted the turmoil the world has experienced with the Covid 19 pandemic. One of the ways to prevent the virus from spreading has meant different stages of lockdown. These have been particularly strict in Victoria and they have had an impact on all types of social gatherings – weddings included.
The decision to go ahead with weddings that have been planned for a year or more in advance has been a tricky one.
· What if the restrictions are lifted and more guests can come?
· What if someone in the wedding party becomes infected?
· Do we postpone it or stick to our date?
As the saying goes – Love doesn’t wait. In times like these though, it might have to.
Weddings in Victoria during Covid 19
One good thing to come out of the Covid 19 lockdown has been the sense of community. Many people have been able to connect with neighbours and other members of their local community and experience acts of kindness and caring.
This has extended to the wedding industry with more flexibility and understanding for couples whose weddings have been affected by the pandemic.
Everyone from wedding planners, celebrants and venue owners have been flooded with queries from couples concerned about the changes to their Big Day. It is often a request for guidance on what’s the best thing to do. No-one has all the answers but everyone understands the situation is more than unusual. Those weddings that have been planned for 2020 and even 2021 are affected.
Everyone involved in those weddings wants the best for you as a couple and to make sure you have the best wedding day possible. It might be smaller than planned or later than scheduled but there is help out there. Of all the states, Victoria has been affected most but has come together stronger than ever.
There are a number of things to take into consideration for weddings in Victoria during Covid 19 restrictions.
1. How many guests can attend?
2. What food can be served?
3. Is dancing allowed?
4. How will social distancing work?
5. Does it matter if the ceremony is indoors or outdoors?
You can already see that there are more than a few questions that need to be answered. You can always check on the latest details for gatherings from the Vic Govt website HERE.
The whole point is to be as flexible as possible. Let your wedding guests know that you may have to change things at short notice. That could mean changes to Covid 19 restrictions for weddings and hopefully more people who can come. This includes changes to interstate travel too.
If you choose to go ahead with our Big Day, you can make it special with a little imagination. Ask friends and family for help – they all want to be part of it.
Wedding Rings for weddings in Victoria
It’s still possible to choose either a stunning engagement ring or the perfect wedding bands for your special day.
Finding a jeweller who has a great range, true expertise and can help make your day be one to cherish may seem difficult.
You need to see someone who listens to what you want and can guide you through the process without any pushy sales talk.
That’s why Franco Jewellers are the team to talk to.
It always pays to go to Franco Jewellers
With Franco Jewellers on your side, your wedding will be wonderful.
You get to choose rings of the highest quality, the best in craftsmanship and something you can treasure for all the years to come.
Enjoy the special one on one customer service that shows you how special you are.
Talk to Franco Jewellers today – because you’re worth it.
