What is meant by the colour, purity and cut quality of a diamond?

• What does diamond colour mean in colourless diamonds?
• What are impurities in diamonds?
• How do I recognise a good cut quality?
• Which combination gives the highest quality?

When purchasing diamonds, there are some decisive elements. Colour, purity and cut quality in particular are of paramount importance. But how do I recognize the right values? With BAUNAT, you opt for the highest quality at the best possible price.

What does colour mean for colourless diamonds?

Colour is also an important factor in colourless diamonds. Lower-graded colours have a visibly yellowish tint, while very high-graded colours become rather expensive due to their rarity.

BAUNAT offers these highly-graded colours on request, but our collection of near-colourless grade. diamonds only contains the colours G and H. G is the highest The very light colour is only visible to the naked eye if you compare the stone with higher-graded diamonds, but not by itself or in jewellery. Pure diamonds are those that are completely colourless. 

With a diamond with colour grade H, the colour is slightly visible to the naked eye, but not visible in jewellery.

What are impurities in diamonds?

In addition to colour, purity is a second important aspect. During the whole process in which diamonds are formed, the stones get small birthmarks. When these are inside the diamond, they are called impurities. On the outside, they are called flaws.

At BAUNAT, you can buy standard diamonds with a purity level VS2 or SI1. VS2 diamonds contain inclusions that are not discernible to the naked eye. With SI1 diamonds, it is possible that inclusions can be very slightly discernible, but only under very good conditions.

The lower-graded diamonds have visible imperfections; the higher ones are too rare for an optimal price-to-quality ratio. You can order diamonds with a different purity level on request.

Other terms you may see used are VVS, which stands for very very slighted included. This means that the diamond only has a small number of tiny inclusions that are difficult to see under magnification.

How do I recognise a good cut quality?

Colour and purity are important properties for diamonds, but the most important thing is probably the cutting method. The typical glitter and sparkle of a diamond can only come into its own when the cutting process is done well.

The cut quality is measured based on the dimensions, symmetry and shine. It is the only human factor that plays a role. If the diamond is not deep enough or is too deep, light will escape along the sides or the bottom of the diamond. A well-cut diamond will let light pass through the crown.

BAUNAT offers diamonds with the Very Good Cut label. About 15% of diamonds offered globally are given this label. They reflect almost as much light as diamonds with an ideal cut, but their price is lower.

Which combination gives the highest quality?

We offer two quality combinations, both guarantee a diamond with a beautiful white colour and high purity: G-VS2 and H-SI1. Thanks to the optimal cut quality, all our diamonds have a really wonderful brilliance. The combination G-VS2 shines just a bit more than H-SI1, due to the small difference in colour and purity. That difference is only visible if you compare the diamonds side by side.

What other factors are important for diamonds? How do I know for sure that I have the right diamond? Ask the diamond experts at BAUNAT for advice on the right choice.

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