THE 4Cs
In 1939, a universal language to define the unique characteristics of diamonds, and create a consistent standard for grading diamonds, was established. This grading method is commonly referred to as The 4C’s – Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. The combination of all four characteristics denote a diamond’s grade in value and rarity.
CUT
The cut of a diamond is its most important characteristic. It’s all about the symmetry of a diamond’s facets. A diamond that is cut to the right proportion – meaning not too deep and not too shallow – will have more brilliance. An expertly-cut diamond with perfectly symmetrical and aligned facets will reflect light and sparkle beautifully. True expertise is required to create facets with perfect proportions that maximise light reflection and increase a diamond’s signature sparkle.
COLOUR
While a diamond’s sparkle is its most eye-catching characteristic, its colour is equally important, and the more colourless the diamond the higher the grade of the diamond. White or colourless diamonds exist on a scale of many different shades, ranging from brilliant white to pale yellow. These subtle differences are graded on a colour scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow). Intensely coloured diamonds fall out of this scale of white or colourless diamonds, and range in hues of yellow, orange, pink, blue, green and red, for example. Fancy coloured diamonds go beyond all other measures of rarity, and it is said that there is only one coloured diamond for every ten thousand colourless diamonds. Fancy coloured diamonds are graded based on their intensity and alluring depth of colour.
CLARITY
Diamonds are created by tremendous heat and pressure deep within the earth. This organic process means that virtually all diamonds have tiny or microscopic imperfections called internal inclusions and surface blemishes. These influence a diamond’s clarity grade – the more flawless a diamond, the more valuable and rare it is. Diamonds with fewer of these inclusions or surface blemishes have a higher clarity, ranging from FL (Flawless) to I (several inclusions). Flawless diamonds are rare, however, and most inclusions are invisible to the naked eye.
CARAT
“Carat” is derived from “carob”, when, in ancient times, carob seeds were used as reference for the weight of individual diamonds. Today, carat refers to the weight of a diamond, not it’s size. It is important to note that a diamond of greater weight may or may not be better than a diamond of lesser weight. For example, a 1.0 carat well cut diamond may appear larger than a poorly cut diamond of equal weight. The cut of a diamond is most important in catching the eye and emphasizing a diamond’s radiance and beauty. A diamond’s precise measurements are taken to the hundredth decimal place to ensure complete accuracy; and a metric ‘carat’ is defined as 200 milligrams.
CONFLICT FREE DIAMONDS
All our GIA certified and laser inscribed diamonds are ethically sourced and conflict free. This means that all mining procedures adhere to strict labour and environmental standards, and all trading happens in non-war-torn areas, abiding by the Kimberly Process.
The Kimberly Process was established in 2003 and is broadly defined as the system to prevent the trade of diamonds that fund conflicts. By definition a “conflict diamond” is a diamond used to fund rebel movements against governments that are recognized as legitimate by the international community.
Besides a conflict diamond zero-tolerance policy, The Gem Tree has a robust and ethical supply chain that avoids mining and trading of diamonds or metals in areas that violate basic human rights or practices that do not adhere to environmentally astute standards of trade. At The Gem Tree we pride ourselves on ensuring the highest ethical criteria are observed and met throughout our supply chain.
We understand that the standards of mining and diamond trading are the foundation for what we do. Our commitment to responsible and ethical business practice is our commitment to our customer. It is our duty and responsibility to each customer to maintain these standards, as well as to keep abreast of the evolving standards and procedures for fair mining and diamond trading worldwide.