Diamonds: A Celebration of Love
Diamond Education & InformationDiamonds are the most beautiful gemstones in the world and have come to symbolise love, commitment and celebration in modern times.
At MAX Diamonds we pride ourselves on our beautifully hand-made bespoke jewellery, but we also specialise in loose diamonds, which we offer at wholesale prices.
Our Qualified Staff will Help You Every Step of the Way
Together with highly experienced and qualified diamond graders, jewellery designers and gemmologists, we help you find the perfect diamond to fit your requirements and budget.
We can run through the different specifications that diamonds have to give you an in depth understanding of what you are purchasing so you can make an informed decision.
At MAX Diamonds we are passionate about every client being well informed and completely happy in the knowledge that they are getting the best value for money with whatever diamond they decide on. There are many different things that affect the cost of a diamond which are just as important as carat weight. The cut of the diamond is the most important of all as this ensures that all of the facets in the diamond are working to refract the light and give the diamond its amazing sparkle.
If you are trying to decide what colour and clarity to purchase we are happy to show you the different colours and clarities so you can make an informed choice and be delighted with your diamond. We recommend diamonds SI1 and above in clarity, making sure the diamond is “eye clean” which means you cannot see any inclusions with the naked eye. The natural inclusions do not interrupt with the way the diamond performs and it will still have that beautiful sparkle.
As colour is a visual thing, diamonds from D (top colour) to G (white) are the best choice and we would recommend going up in colour if there is some extra money in the budget.
Conflict Free and Ethically Sourced Wholesale Diamonds
All of our diamonds are from conflict-free sources and each diamond over 0.50ct is independently certified and comes with its own internationally recognised certificate.
You may choose to propose with a loose diamond and then come into the showroom with your fiancée and design the ring together over a glass of complimentary champagne to make this a really special experience.
So if you are planning to buy a loose diamond, we invite you to come to our showroom on Sydney’s King Street to look through our inventory of wholesale diamonds and discuss your individual needs.
The 4C’s of a Diamond Quality Guide
To begin the process of selecting a diamond you need to learn about the different characteristics of a diamond, mainly what is referred to as the 4 C’s, which is Carat (weight), Cut, Colour and Clarity. These characteristics determine the quality of the diamond and are all mentioned on your independent laboratory diamond certificate (see below).
Cut
The most important of the 4 C’s is the Cut as this is what determines the sparkle, or brilliance, of the diamond. The cut of a diamond determines its shape, angles and proportions. The angles and proportions of a diamond are what allow the light to enter the stone and refract back out, giving its sparkle and brilliance.
While nature determines the diamonds clarity, colour and carat weight, it is the cutting of the stone that reveals a diamonds sparkle and fire.
Colour
The colour in a diamond can range on a scale from D (colourless) to Z. At Max diamonds, we stock only the highest grades of colour, offering one of Sydney’s most premium selections of white diamonds and we recommend diamonds from D – H colour, H being the lowest of the white range.
Diamond Colour Descriptions
D: exceptional white +
E: exceptional white
F: rare white +
G: rare white
H: white
I: slightly tinted white
J: slightly tinted white
K: tinted white
L: tinted white
M-Z: tinted colour
Clarity
Almost all natural diamonds contain tiny imperfections, or inclusions, most of them too small to be seen with the naked eye. The fewer the imperfections, the more valuable the diamond and truly flawless diamonds are extremely rare. Diamonds are graded for clarity using a jewellers loupe which is a 10 x magnification and the clarity grading scale ranges through:
- F (flawless)
- IF (internally flawless)
- VVS1, VVS2 (very very slightly included)
- VS1, VS2 (very slightly included)
- SI1, SI2 (slightly included)
- I1, I2,I3 (included)
The microscopic inclusions in a diamond down to a clarity grade of SI1 are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye and these inclusions do not interrupt the way the diamond performs to light. If a diamond is graded SI1, as long as it is “eye clean” they can offer excellent value for money.
Clarity Grading Scale
10x Magnification
F / Flawless: The diamond shows no inclusions or blemishes of any sort under 10x magnification when observed by an experienced grader. Note: truly flawless or internally flawless (F or IF on the GIA’s grading scale) diamonds are extremely rare.
IF / Internally Flawless: The diamond has no inclusions when examined by an experienced grader using 10x magnification, but will have some minor blemishes.
VVS1, VVS2 / Very Very Slightly Included: The diamond contains minute inclusions that are difficult even for experienced graders to see under 10x magnification.
VS1, VS2 / Very Slightly Included: The diamond contains minute inclusions such as small crystals, clouds, or feathers when observed with effort under 10x magnification.
SI1, SI2 / Slightly Included: The diamond contains inclusions (clouds, included crystals, knots, cavities, and feathers) that are noticeable to an experienced grader under 10x magnification.
The microscopic inclusions in a diamond down to a clarity grade of SI1 are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye and these inclusions do not interrupt the way the diamond performs to light. If a diamond is graded SI1, as long as it is “eye clean” they can offer excellent value for money.
I1, I2, I3 / Included: The diamond contains inclusions (possibly large feathers or large included crystals) that are obvious under 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance.
Carat (Weight)
Diamonds are measured by weight in carats and one carat (abbreviated to ct) is equal to 0.2 grams. Larger diamonds are more valuable, due to their rare occurrence in nature. Max diamonds offers diamonds of almost any carat weight. The brilliance of a diamond depends on all 4C.s, so size alone is not the only indicator of value.
Usually the carat weight of the diamond you buy is determined by budget taking into account what cut, colour and clarity you would like to achieve. On the other hand you might know you would like a certain carat weight which will determine what colour and clarity you can achieve in that budget.
Diamond Sizing Descriptions
Round brilliant cut diamond approximate size guide in diameter
0.10ct: 3mm
0.25ct: 4.1mm
0.50ct: 5.2mm
0.75ct: 5.8mm
1.00ct: 6.5mm
1.25ct: 7mm
1.50ct: 7.4mm
2.00ct: 8.2mm
2.50ct: 8.8mm
Internationally Recognised Diamond Certificates for Peace of Mind
At MAX Diamonds all diamonds over 0.50ct (and sometimes smaller) come with an internationally recognised Diamond certificate from one of the following independent certifying institutions of loose diamonds:
- Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
- Belgium’s Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD), also known as the Antwerp World Diamond Centre,
- The International Gemological Institute (IGI)
- Gem Studies Laboratory, Australia (GSL)
Your certificate is a proof of authenticity for your diamond. It is a dated report that tells you about all the qualities of your diamond that relate to its quality, including:
- Shape
- Cut Weight (carat)
- Measurements
- Clarity
- Colour
As well as giving you confidence in the quality of the stone you are buying, a certificate is often needed to insure your diamond.
The certificate is an unbiased assessment of the details of the stone and is done by an independent laboratory and often the number of the certificate is laser inscribed onto the girdle of the diamond for identification purposes.
As well as giving the Carat Weight, Colour and Clarity they will give a round brilliant cut diamond a cut grade, polish grade and symmetry grade. In other fancy shapes there is a polish and symmetry grade only.
We recommend diamonds with an excellent to very good cut, polish and symmetry grade. With diamonds over 1.00ct in size there is a diagram of the diamond showing any inclusions that are there and a description of those inclusions. Under 1.00ct there will be just the description.
On the diamond certificate you will also see a reference to fluorescence. Some diamonds fluoresce in ultra violet light and white diamonds with strong fluorescence can therefore look milky or oily in natural sunlight. Slight fluorescence is not a problem but it is better to stay away from diamonds with strong fluorescence as this devalues the diamond.
At MAX Diamonds we pride ourselves on being able to supply every customer with a beautiful diamond to fit into any reasonable budget and will help you to determine what diamond is best for you.
Diamond Shapes
Diamonds come in a wide range of shapes. Round Brilliant Cut diamonds are the traditional cut and are always popular but Princess (square) Cuts, Cushion Cuts, Pear, Oval, Marquise, Trilliants, Radiants and several others are also multifaceted diamonds. Emerald Cuts, Baguettes and Asscher Cuts are “step cut” diamonds and look quite different but very beautiful in their clarity. We recommend a clarity grade of VS1 for step cut stones.
At MAX Diamonds you can come in and sit down with one of our qualified Diamond Graders and view the diamonds in the different carat weights, colour and clarity grades to help you make your informed choice. MAX Diamonds supply loose diamonds at competitive prices offering exceptional value for money.
Diamond Shape Descriptions
Trilliant Cut: The trilliant cut diamond has three points and a distinctively triangular shape. You can achieve a great degree of variation with the trilliant cut, such as it having straight or rounded edges. Note that trillions can also refer to trilliant cut diamonds.
Oval Cut: The oval cut diamond is a physically longer and elongated version of the round brilliant cut diamond. The look of oval cut diamonds can be either wide or quite slim, depending on personal preference. Note that this diamond shape will give the illusion of longer, more slender fingers.
Heart Shape: The Brilliant cut is used to achieve the adapted heart shape diamond. You can customise the heart shape to be wider or slimmer to your liking and to suit your ring design. If you are considering a heart shape diamond, it’s best to see the diamond in person to ensure that you’re happy with the size and symmetry of the heart.
Asscher Cut: The Asscher cut is the most iconic square cut diamond. When expertly cut, you will be able to see octagonal shapes within the diamond when viewed from above.
Marquise Cut: Diamonds in a marquise cut are long and slender in appearance with pointed ends. This cut is paired beautifully with minimalist and delicate ring designs. Like the oval cut, the elongated shape will also give the illusion of longer and slimmer fingers.
Radiant Cut: Diamonds in a radiant cut achieve the glamour of brilliant cut diamonds but with a rectangular or square shape. Radiant cut diamonds will reflect the light beautifully and give your ring that classic sparkly aesthetic.
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