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Grading codes for diamonds
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D
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Blue
White |
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E
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Ice
White |
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F
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Fine
White |
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G
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White |
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H
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Top
Commercial White |
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I-J
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Commercial
White |
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K-L
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Top
Silver Cape |
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M-O
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Silver
Cape |
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P-R
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Light
Cape |
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S-U
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Cape |
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V-Z
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Dark
Cape |
Meaning
of flaws:
| WS1 |
Minute
inclusions - extremely difficult to see at 10x |
| VVS2 |
Minute
inclusions - very difficult to see at 10x |
| VS1
|
Minute
inclusions - difficult to see face-up at 10x |
| VS2 |
Minute
inclusions - somewhat easy to see face-up at 10x
|
| SI1 |
Noticeable
inclusions - easy to see at 10x |
| SI2
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Noticeable
inclusions - very easy to see at 10x |
| I1
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Obvious
inclusion at 10x - visible to unaided eye |
| I2
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Obvious
inclusion - visible to unaided eye |
| I3
|
Prominent
inclusions - extremely easy to see with unaided
eye |
THE
4 C's
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The
4 C's and the style of the engagement ring should
be considered in close harmony. The type of setting
of the ring should maximise the beauty of the
diamond you have selected: while the 4 C's of
the diamond should compliment the design you have
chosen.
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| Cut
- This comprises
both the shape and proportions of the stone that
the diamond polisher has been able to unveil. While
the 'Round Brilliant' cut yields a diamond of symmetric
proportions, fancier shapes might prove more suitable
to your taste. |
| Colour-
The colour of the diamond you choose may
be influenced by the colour of the metal in the
design of your ring. The average ranges from colourless
through to dark yellow. Other colours such as red,
blue and green are more rare. |
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Clarity
- Also referred
to as the 'purity' of a diamond, is graded under
x10 magnification according to universal standards.
A flawless diamond will command a higher price
than that of one with blemishes and inclusions.
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| Carat
Weight - This
indicates the size or weight of the diamond. The
design of the ring and finger size of the wearer
will be of importance when determined the carat
weight of choice. |
top
Courtesy
of Claudia Liebenberg
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