Buying White Diamonds: Your Complete Guide

Not all diamonds are created equal. That’s why it’s important to do your research before purchasing a diamond. In this article, we’ll take you through the four Cs when you want to buy white diamond: cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.

Cut

The cut of a diamond is, by far, the most important factor in determining its overall beauty. This aspect of a diamond is determined by the proportions and symmetry of the stone. The cut refers to how well light passes through it. Poorly cut diamonds tend to have more dark spots and less sparkle than well-cut diamonds due to their irregular shape, which can make them appear dull or cloudy when compared with other gems with better cuts.

Clarity

When you buy white diamonds, it’s important to understand the clarity grade. The clarity grade measures how flawless the diamond is. A flawless stone has no inclusions, but perfect stones are hard to find and therefore very expensive.

The grading system for clarity is based on how many inclusions a diamond has:

• Flawless: No inclusions at all—the most coveted category of a diamond!
• Internally Flawless (IF): Has no internal areas of discoloration or blemish that could be seen without magnification; this is what most people think of when they hear “flawless.”
• Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1/2): Just barely visible under 10x magnification, these diamonds are very clear—you’d never know that there were any flaws by looking at them with your own eyes!

Color

The most common grades of white diamonds are D, E, and F. The less color a diamond has, the more it will cost. Colorless is the most expensive color and should be avoided by those on a budget—you’ll get better value by picking another grade and getting a more realistic carat count.

Carat

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. It is measured in milligrams, and one carat is equal to 100 milligrams. You probably already know that larger diamonds are more expensive than smaller diamonds, but this is because of their size and clarity. A 1-carat diamond is about 100 milligrams, so it’s easy to see why this would be more expensive than a 0.5-carat or 0.25-carat diamond!

Certification

The certificate is your guarantee of quality. It’s the document that identifies and verifies the characteristics of your diamond, such as its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The certificate will also include an analysis of the stone’s physical properties.

Certificates are issued by labs that have been accredited by GIA (the Gemological Institute of America). The certification process ensures that each gemologist has been trained properly before they’re permitted to evaluate diamonds or issue certificates on their own behalf.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve read through this article, you should have a better idea of what to look for in white diamonds. There are many things to consider when purchasing a diamond, but it is important not to get too caught up in the details. Remember that at the end of the day, we are all just looking for something beautiful and unique—and there’s nothing wrong with that!