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Every diamond has distinguishable characteristics. At Ryan Thomas Jewellers, our diamonds are bright and brilliant because we only choose those of the highest quality. Diamond color and clarity do matter, especially when it comes to the stone's overall appearance, value, and appeal.
1. Color
- Grading Scale: Diamonds are graded on a color scale from D (completely colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown).
- Impact on Appearance: Colorless diamonds (D-F) are the most sought-after, as they allow the most light to pass through, enhancing the diamond's brilliance. Diamonds with noticeable color (G-Z) may appear less brilliant, especially in larger stones. Ryan Thomas Jewellers only accepts diamonds in the “colourless” and “near colourless” range on a diamond colour scale. In other words, we accept D colour diamonds, E colour diamonds, F colour diamonds, G colour diamonds and H colour diamonds.
- Value: The closer a diamond is to being colorless, the rarer and more valuable it is. Colorless diamonds are generally more expensive.
2. Clarity:
- Grading Scale: Clarity ranges from Flawless (no internal or external flaws visible under 10x magnification) to Included (flaws or inclusions visible to the naked eye). - Impact on Appearance: Higher clarity grades (Flawless, Internally Flawless, VVS1, VVS2) have fewer and less visible inclusions, making the diamond appear more pristine. Lower clarity diamonds (SI1, SI2, I1, I2, I3) may have inclusions that affect the diamond’s brilliance and overall look.
- Value: Higher clarity diamonds are rarer and more expensive. However, some inclusions are so small that they don't significantly impact the diamond's appearance, allowing you to choose a slightly lower clarity grade to save money. Ryan Thomas Jewellers rejects any diamond that has a poor clarity grade.
3. Balancing Color and Clarity with Budget:
- Color: If budget is a concern, diamonds in the near-colorless range (G-H) offer good value as they still appear colorless to the untrained eye, especially when set in white gold or platinum.
- Clarity: Many people opt for diamonds in the VS1-VS2 or even SI1-SI2 clarity range because inclusions in these grades are often not visible without magnification, allowing for a larger or better-colored diamond within the same budget.
Our Thoughts
Some people prioritize a diamond's size over color and clarity. At Ryan Thomas we prioritise colour and clarity over size. A smaller bright and brilliant diamond will dazzle far more than a larger diamond of a lower grade.
Book an appointment to browse our diamond ring collection in our upstairs private diamond boutique and let our experts guide you through the process of choosing the perfect diamond ring for you.