The 4Cs and more

Generally, weight determines approximately 40% of a diamond’s value. The metric carat, which equals 1/142 oz. (0.2 gram), is the standard unit of weight for diamonds and most other gems. If other factors are equal, the more a stone weighs, the more valuable it is. Large diamonds are rarer than small ones, so a diamond’s price per carat tends to increase sharply. For example, a 1-carat diamond weighs the same as four 0.25-carat diamonds; however, the larger diamond usually costs much more than the sum of the four 0.25-carat diamonds because its larger size is so uncommon. However, bigger is not always better as it all depends on your preference and budget. In sum, a large, well-cut, colourless diamond with minute inclusions commands a higher price due to its relative rarity. at , we provide diamonds from 1 carat and above, all the way up to 30 carats.

Colours of natural diamonds can be divided into two types: colourless and fancy colours. As all natural creations of the earth are, most diamonds have some degree of yellowish or brownish tints. Colourless diamonds are therefore valued for its rarity because they reflect light and glorious flashes of the rainbow spectrum vividly. The fewer other colours a diamond has, the more valuable it tends to be. Sometimes these tints are barely noticeable unless the diamond is compared side by side with another diamond containing a different amount of colour. However, small differences in colour can add up to big differences in price and value. A diamond’s colour is divided into the following grades:

D E F = Colorless
G H I J = Near Colorless
K L M Faint Yellow
N O P Q R = Very Light Yellow
S T U V W X Y Z = Light Yellow

supplies both fancy coloured and colourless diamonds. For fancy coloured diamonds, the range of intensity available for pink, blue, yellow, brown, green, orange and red diamonds can vary from fancy vivid, fancy intense, fancy to light hue and saturation. For colourless diamonds, only provides diamonds that qualify for the better range of colours within each colour grade, from D colour to M colour. If there are two diamonds of the same colour grade, will choose the diamond that appears more colorless and more transparent. also does not supply any diamonds with black spots, brownish or greenish tinge of colours.

Clarity refers to a diamond’s relative position on a flawless-to-included scale, which is also important to a diamond’s overall quality. Clarity characteristics are classified as inclusions (internal) or blemishes (external). Very few diamonds are flawless; that is, they show no inclusions or blemishes when examined by a skilled grader under 10 times magnification. If other factors are equal, flawless diamonds are the most valuable. On average, less than 1% of diamonds mined are inclusion-free. A diamond’s grading of clarity is divided into the following levels:

FL (flawless)
IF (internally flawless)
VVS1 VVS2(very, very slightly included)
VS1 VS2 (very slightly included)
SI1 SI2 SI3 (slightly included)
I1 I2 I3 (included)

However, clarity cannot be graded without the consideration of purity. To learn more about purity, click here.

Diamonds with any of the above characteristics will be filtered out by .

A diamond’s cut is its arrangement of facets and their proportional relationships and finish which affects the way it takes in and reflects light, hence affecting its brilliance. A properly cut diamond, regardless of its shape, scintillates with fire and light-offering maximum appeal, durability, and value. Cut can also mean shape; proportions are the size and angle relationships between the facets and different parts of the stone. A diamond with even slight variations in proportions might appear to be too deep or too shallow - two factors that allow the spilling of light through the side or bottom of a diamond. The more successful the cutter is in balancing these considerations, the more valuable the diamond will be.

strictly adheres to rigid selection guidelines for exquisitely cut diamonds. We only supply those with excellent, very good and good cut, polish and symmetry grades and we do not supply diamonds with any of the following characteristics:

• Broken culet;
• Retention of excess weight in hidden areas, i.e. girdle, total depth, etc.;
• Visually fisheye or nailhead;
• Having an out of place table and/or culet with disproportionate symmetry;
• Having off-round girdles; or
• Diamonds retaining major polish lines, scratches and damages.

To ensure brilliance, elegance and excellence in all diamonds that you find at Bee’s Diamonds, we do not source round diamonds with less or more than 57 or 58 facets because a diamond’s shine and fire will be diminished if it has more than 58 facets, distorting the path which light travels across the diamond.

Blue fluorescence of diamonds under UV light:

Other than the 4Cs, there are other factors that can affect the value and rarity of diamond. One key factor that affects a diamond’s beauty is its florescence, is a characteristic that makes some diamonds appear to change color when they are exposed to ultraviolet light. If a yellowish diamond fluoresces blue, the effect could be strong enough to mask the yellowish tint when viewed under a jewelry retail store's fluorescent bulbs. You might be surprised by the diamond's true (yellowish) color when you look at it at home under different lighting. Generally, moderate, strong and very strong fluorescence bring diamond prices down since tinted diamonds are generally less desirable than whiter stones. It's important for you to be happy with the diamonds you buy. At Bee’s Diamonds, we will show you examples of fluorescence and give you time to make a decision.

Purity refers to how a combination of clarity factors affect the overall appearance of a diamond from various angles, including the size, number, position, nature, colour or characteristics of the natural inclusions and blemishes. The better the purity of a diamond, the rarer and the more valuable it is. Grading purity portrays a wider spectrum of factors other than clarity. Take two identical 1 carat diamondswith D colour, VS2 clarity - one may be more valuable than the other due to the location, nature of its natural inclusions, and how the inclusions are reflected through to the other facets - the diamond with black crystal inclusions on the table will have a lesser value than the one with white crystal located on the unidentifiable pavilion of the diamond.

Diamonds with better purity will hold stronger value against time and market changes. In order to select diamonds of premium quality and to protect our customers’ interests, ’ gemologists go through each and every diamond to ensure that the purity factor is prioritized. Learn more about here.

Diamond ── Good Purity	Bad Purity
If there are two diamonds of the identical 4C classifications, will choose the one with inclusions placed aside or unclearly seen.

The commonly known “4Cs” causes consumers to overlook the importance of other important factors that evaluate a diamond’s quality. On top of purity and fluorescence, there are other factors to consider such as a diamond’s:

• Cut quality - Does the diamond’s depth retains excess weight? How’s the make of the diamond?
• Treatment status - Is the diamond natural? Has it been fracture-filled or irradiated?
• Transparency - Does the diamond have any greenish or brownish tinge?
• Fluorescence - Does the diamond fluoresce blue, green or white?
• Authenticity and reliability of gem lab report - Has the diamond been graded at an internationally known and recognized gem lab? How reliable is the grading report?

The ultimate value of a diamond is the result of a combination of all grading factors. gemologists will offer in depth advice and guidance to consumers and confer insider’s secrets to choosing an ideal diamond worth its value at its seminars or individual appointment. Schedule your diamonds appointment here.