Choosing the right diamond takes experience, skill and time. Pravins diamond experts have been carefully trained to select only those diamonds that are a cut above the rest. There are many different factors to consider, as described below.
Shape
Shape is very much a personal choice, the most popular shapes are shown below:
Cut
The term cut is used to describe the accuracy of the angles and proportions of the facets of a polished diamond. This accuracy governs the interaction between the diamond and light, greatly determining the diamonds overall appearance. Put simply, more accuracy equals greater brilliance.
A well-cut diamond allows the maximum amount of light entering through the top of the diamond to be reflected back to the viewer, resulting in a high level of brilliance and fire. Well-cut diamonds are more sought-after than those that are too shallow or too deep.
Carat
A diamond's weight is measured in units called carats, each equivalent to approximately one fifth of a gram. The word derives from the name for the tiny seeds of the carob tree, which were traditionally used to weigh diamonds in the ancient Middle East. A carat is often expressed in points (1/100ths of a carat) so that a half-carat diamond measures 50 points. For well-cut round brilliant-cut diamonds, the relationship between size and weight can be shown as follows:
Colour
The trace of colour often seen in white diamonds is caused by the presence of nitrogen atoms. With the exception of fancy-coloured diamonds, as little colour as possible is desirable. Colour is graded using the GIA scale from D to Z, as shown below. Some diamonds exhibit a phenomenon known as fluorescence under ultra-violet light.
Clarity
The passage of light through a diamond can be affected by the presence of inclusions. Inclusions are natural traces of the growth history of a diamond; their appearance is recorded by the clarity scale shown below. Clearer diamonds are more valuable than those with many or large inclusions.
Certification
Independent laboratory certificates are available for just about any diamond; their purpose is to provide additional reassurance and a record of the characteristics of a particular diamond. Bear in mind that some laboratories are more renowned than others. Also, the presence of a certificate in itself is not a guarantee of quality. In our opinion, nothing beats taking the time to have a good look at a diamond close-up.
Provenance
Pravins ensure that all our diamond suppliers are carefully vetted to ensure compliance with The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. We take every possible step to avoid diamonds of unclear provenance. All diamonds sold by Pravins are guaranteed to be natural and free of any enhancement or treatment.
Confidence
Our diamond experts also consider many other factors such as finish grade, symmetry, fluorescence and - most importantly - simply whether a diamond 'speaks' to them or not.
All this care and attention is carried out with just one thing in mind - to select the finest diamonds, deserving of Pravins rings and jewellery.