E.S. Design

While each diamond is assessed on the basis of gemological standards, two diamonds that possess exactly the same clarity and color grades may actually appear visually different when placed beside each other. Some differences are so minute that spotting it requires a microscope. However, there are those that may be noticed using just the human eye.

One of the factors that contribute to these differences is diamond cut issues. When a diamond is cut either too deep or too shallow, the light that passes through the gemstone may actually “leak” and thereby make the diamond appear less brilliant or darker than another.

Another factor is the diamond color range. It is worthy to note that diamond color grade is not constant or fixed. The color grade is actually a range of colors. A diamond that is graded with a G color is either closer to F or to H. That in itself is a number of different color shades.

Diamond color is not the only one that has a range. Clarity is likewise the same. For instance, a stone that is graded as having an SI1 clarity may actually be closer to VS2 or to SI2. This range may spell the difference between two stones having the same clarity rating. One of them may appear cleaner than the other.

A diamond report does not list the color range or clarity range the stone falls. It only indicates the final color and clarity grades. You may have a jeweler use a special device called a colorimeter, which measures light spectrums and colors in diamonds. This allows one to determine whether the diamond color falls in the low end, high end, or in the middle of the color range. You may also use a microscope with at least 10x magnification to view the “insides” of a stone for a better assessment of inclusions and flaws.

In summary, even though diamonds are graded according to standard gemological attributes, no one stone is the same as another. As a rule of thumb, always purchase diamonds that are certified by gemological institutions such as the G.I.A. or the E.G.L.