Local Calgary Experts Specializing in Mined Diamonds

Diamonds are formed under extremely high pressure and temperature conditions; between 45-60 kbar, 900-1300°C and 150-400 kilometers below the earth’s surface. Diamonds are a mineral to be revered and coveted as they have an average age of 2.3 billion years per stone. They are transported to the surface via the igneous rock of volcanic pipes; kimberlite and lamproite. But the process is only beginning once a diamond has been excavated. Not all mined diamonds are of gem quality and low-grade diamonds are commonly used for industrial purposes. A gem cutter’s job is to evaluate a raw diamond crystal to best determine the shape and size of a diamond to showcase each crystal at its best. Large stones can take several months to cut and polish, this is both a learned skill and true form of art.

Diamonds are made up of pure carbon, 99.95% in fact. Impurities are responsible for the shape and colour of a raw crystal which appears as a cube due to the high cohesion of the carbon atoms. Diamonds come in a range of colours apart from colourless, which are referred to as “fancy” diamonds. Diamonds are special in the case that no other gemstone can match the sparkle and luster produced by diamonds, this “fire” is a result of the uniquely high refractive index of the stone and the quality of the cut and polish which allows the dispersion of light within the crystal.

Diamonds are graded on the 4C’s, this is a universally accepted criterion. It should be noted that a diamond report is not the only thing to be taken into account when selecting a diamond, and diamond reports are considered an art and the opinion of the individual grader. Many reports have a clause included that releases the laboratory from liability for this reason.

Diamonds are graded on Cut, Carat, Clarity, and Colour. The price of a diamond is a combination of all four of the grades described below.

Cut: The cut of a diamond encompasses the shape of the diamond including the quality of the cut, polish, and symmetry. This is very important as the cut determines how well the light within the diamond is reflected back and forth against the facets within the crystal and will determine the fire and brilliance of the stone. If a diamond is cut too shallow or too deep it can appear dull or lifeless, ideally, a diamond should have a good or better grading of all three aspects of the cut. 

Carat: This is the weight measurement of a diamond. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams, therefore 5 carats is equal to 1 gram. The larger carat weight of a diamond the higher the price, as diamonds get larger it becomes rarer to find high quality, colourless diamonds and the price of larger high-quality diamonds will reflect this.

Clarity: The clarity of a diamond refers to how few or how many blemishes are encompassed within the stone. Impurities commonly appear as feathers, cracks or black spots, gem-quality diamonds typically have blemishes that are naked to the eye and require magnification to be seen. A flawless diamond is very rare and blemishes are often described as the fingerprint of the diamond as each one is completely unique. A diamond with few blemishes are more desirable as a diamond with a high number of inclusions can hinder the refractive power within the diamond and affect the sparkle of the diamond.

 Colour: The colour of a diamond is also a determining factor in diamond value. Determining the colour of a diamond depends on examining how yellow, brown or gray the internal hue of the stone is. Perfectly colorless diamonds are rare and can have a higher value than those with subtle colouration. Diamonds with saturated colour, however, are defined as “fancy” and include many different colours however the most common occurrences are brown, yellow, and black red is among one of the rarest colours to find in a diamond. Fancy diamonds are assessed differently to colourless and their value is determined by the intensity and saturation of colour.

It is important to note that the 4C’s are not mutually exclusive and are not always connected to each criteria specifically. A diamond is as unique as the person buying or wearing it. Remember when you are buying a diamond, you are not just buying the diamond characteristics but rather the enchanting feeling a particular diamond gives you and represents the love of your life.

Diamonds are made up of pure carbon, 99.95% in fact. Impurities are responsible for the shape and colour of a raw crystal which appears as a cube due to the high cohesion of the carbon atoms. Diamonds come in a range of colours apart from colourless, which are referred to as “fancy” diamonds. Diamonds are special in the case that no other gemstone can match the sparkle and luster produced by diamonds, this “fire” is a result of the uniquely high refractive index of the stone and the quality of the cut and polish which allows the dispersion of light within the crystal.

Diamonds are graded on the 4C’s, this is a universally accepted criterion. It should be noted that a diamond report is not the only thing to be taken into account when selecting a diamond, and diamond reports are considered an art and the opinion of the individual grader. Many reports have a clause included that releases the laboratory from liability for this reason.