Showing posts with label Malaysia diamonds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malaysia diamonds. Show all posts

Tuesday, 21 June 2011

Diamond Grading Report – IGI

Established in 1975, The International Gemological Institute (IGI) is the largest international gemological institute. Using the standardized diamond grading methods, the IGI offers professional diamond grading reports for loose natural diamonds. Every diamond evaluated by the IGI is analyzed by several gemologists who use only state-of-the-art-equipment to accurately describe your diamond's characteristics. IGI Diamond Reports always print the date of issue, report number and include a special security seal.

I.G.I. is headquartered in Antwerp and has offices in many cities around the world like New York City, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Toronto, Los Angeles, etc.

As the world's largest independent gem certification and appraisal institute for diamonds, coloured gemstones and jewellery, IGI is a standard of excellence for industry professionals and consumers around the globe. The IGI Diamond Reports clearly discloses the details of any item it accompanies, providing confidence for both buyer and seller.

IGI Diamond Reports have different formats and presentations, customized to serve a wide range of consumer demand in our different worldwide markets. Regardless of format, every IGI Diamond Report is issued according to the strict international standards and security features for which IGI is known.

The IGI Diamond Reports include the same information as the GIA Diamond Report but without a proportions diagram. Instead, the IGI provides specific proportion measurements and a proportion grade of Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, or Excellent.

I.G.I. Certified Diamond Reports provide this information:
  • Description
  • Shape and Cut
  • Weight
  • Measurements
  • Depth Percentage
  • Table Percentage
  • Crown Angle
  • Pavilion Angle
  • Culet Size
  • Girdle Thickness
  • Polish/Symmetry
  • Clarity Grade
  • Color Grade
  • Fluorescence
  • Comments about Diamond
  • Plot of Internal and External Inclusions.
You can either contact us on +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

Diamond Grading Report - GIA

Established in 1931 by Robert Shipley, The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the one of the world’s biggest, most sophisticated, and extraordinarily consistent Diamond Grading Laboratory!
The G.I.A. headquarters and main campus is located in the city of Carlsbad, in California, with a satellite campus located in New York and some other major cities in the World.

A GIA Diamond Grading Report isn't an appraisal but a scientific blueprint of your stone's exact qualities. The most widely used and trusted means of verifying a diamond's quality and providing positive identification is a GIA Diamond Grading Report.

A GIA grading report provides an expert analysis of a diamond's quality based upon the "4Cs" of diamond grading: carat, color, cut and clarity. Because GIA is not affiliated with any commercial enterprise, impartial and accurate analysis of a diamond's quality and value is assured.

The GIA Laboratory issues diamond grading reports for loose, natural diamonds in the D-Z color range that weigh 0.15 carats or more. GIA Diamond Grading Reports are not issued for synthetics, simulants, mounted diamonds or those that have undergone unstable treatments, such as fracture filling or coating. And while reports may be issued for diamonds that have been laser drilled or HPHT processed, these stable treatments are prominently disclosed on the report.

GIA diamond grading reports always include the date of issue, report number and laser registry if the diamond has been laser inscribed. A Diamond Grading Report documents the specific characteristics of a diamond.

Details Documented in the Diamond Grading Report
  • Report number: A unique number assigned to a diamond and registered in GIA's global database.
  • Shape and Cutting Style: The diamond shape and cutting style.
  • Measurements: This includes dimensions of the diamond as minimum diameter - maximum diameter x depth (for round diamonds) or length x width x depth (for fancy shapes).
  • Carat Weight: The weight of diamond listed to the nearest hundredth of a carat.
  • Proportions: Various characteristics of the diamond are underlined here. These include:
Depth: The height of a gemstone measured from the culet to the table.

Table: Located at the top of the diamond, the table is the largest facet of a diamond.

Girdle: Range of girdle thickness.
  • Finish: Grades that represent a diamond's surface and facet placement.
  • Culet: Appearance, or lack thereof, of the culet facet.
  • Polish: Rating the overall smoothness of the diamond's surface.
  • Proportion Diagram: A map of the diamond's actual proportions.
  • Reference Diagram: This approximates the shape and cutting style of the diamond. It also indicates clarity characteristics in the stone. Key to symbols used on the diagram is also provided.
  • Color Grade: A grading which assesses the absence of color in a diamond.
  • Clarity Grade: Clarity grade determined under 10x magnification.
  • Cut Grade: A grade of cut as determined by a diamond's face-up appearance, design and craftsmanship.
  • Symmetry: Measuring the shape, alignment and placement of the diamond's facets in relation to one another as well as the evenness of the outline.
  • Fluorescence: Color, and strength of color when diamond is viewed under UV light.
  • Comments: A description of additional diamond characteristics not already mentioned in the report.
  • Clarity Plot: A map of the approximate size, type, and position of inclusions as viewed under a microscope.
  • Grading scales: GIA grading scales on color and clarity are provided. The clarity grade provides grading on a scale which lists from flawless to included. Color grading is provided on a scale from colorless to light yellow, brown or gray. Color grading is achieved by comparing stones to master comparison diamonds.
  • Security features: To ensure that the certificate is secure and cannot be forged, GIA certificates come with certain security features. These include hologram, watermark, an embossed seal, chemical sensitivity feature, microprint lines and security screen are also provided to ensure that the certificate is original.
You can either contact us on  +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

Saturday, 18 June 2011

Diamond Shapes: Pear Cut Diamond

The technical name of the pear is "pear-shaped modified brilliant," based on its shape and modifications of the traditional round brilliant configuration. A hybrid cut, combining the best of the Round Brilliant and the Marquise, it is shaped like a sparkling teardrop.

The pear shape usually has the 58 facet brilliant pattern, but can be cut with different numbers of pavilion mains of 8, 7, 6, or 4 facets. The teardrop shape has a round or oval shape on half the facet pattern while the other half resembles a marquise with the sides tapering to a point.
The first pear-shaped diamond was created in the 1400s by Flemish cutter Lodewyk van Berquem of Bruges, inventor of the diamond-polishing wheel, or scaif.

This invention enabled him to polish all the facets of the diamond to optimize light reflection within it. It was from this watershed moment onwards that diamonds began to be used in jewellery.

Van Berquem also pioneered the now common place symmetrical arrangement of facets on a stone, this in turn led him to fashion the pear-shaped "Pendeloque" or "Briolette" cut.

When purchasing a Pear Shaped Diamond, it's extremely important to pay attention to quality and to select the highest grade cut you can afford.

In a pear, look for a well-shaped head and even shoulders with a length-to-width ratio of 1.45-1.70. Pear-shaped diamonds work great for pendants and drop earrings.

The optimal pear shape is one with a polished girdle and a rounded base, or “even shoulders”. However, much like the oval cut, a more attenuated pear shape may elongate the fingers, so it is important to reconcile these two qualities. Additionally, colour is often more visible towards the tip of the pear shape, so to ensure an even tone throughout the stone it is advisable to opt for colours H and above.

You can either contact us on +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

Friday, 10 June 2011

Diamond Shapes: Emerald Cut Diamond

The "emerald" cut of diamond is another square or rectangular shaped diamond. As opposed to the brilliant cut, however, with its triangular or four sided diamond cut facets, the "emerald" cut of diamond has step cut facets. The term "step cut" refers to the step-like look of the facet cuts.

The emerald cut has 58 facets (25 crown, 8 girdle and 25 pavilion). Because of the angle, size and shape of the facets, the emerald cut shows less brilliance and fire (dispersion) than the other brilliant cut diamonds. However, the emerald cut stone reveals a classic beauty and elegance not seen in other cuts. The look of an emerald cut diamond is subtle and understated with less "flash," or reflection and refraction than brilliant cuts.
 
Aspect ratio of an Emerald Cut: The ratio of the length to the width should be about 1.5:1 and the VS1-2 range is recommended as a minimum Emerald cut diamonds are often 'paired' with other side stones.

The emerald cut diamond can be absolutely stunning. Because of it's long lines, it tends to be less fiery than a "round brilliant" cut, but it also tends to have broader, more dramatic flashes of light. The trim lines of emerald cut diamonds lend an elegant, sophisticated air to both the simplest and most elaborate ring settings.

Because of its large open facets, higher clarity grades (VS2 and above for GIA and VS1 and above for EGL, to ensure it is completely eye clean) are usually recommended for emerald cut diamonds.

As with the Asscher and Cushion cuts, more rectangular shapes (larger ratios) help to elongate shorter fingers.

The emerald cut is also one of the most popular and widely available non-round cuts, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a decent variety of emerald cut diamonds from which to choose. Furthermore, in part because the emerald cut generally isn’t considered an “ideal” cut in the same way that the round brilliant is, emerald cut diamonds can be markedly more affordable than otherwise comparable round diamonds.

You can either contact us on  +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

Diamond Shapes: Princess Cut Diamond

The Princess Cut, technically known as "Square Modified Brilliant Cut", is a square version of the Round Brilliant Cut. It may have either 50 facets (21 crown, 4 girdle, 25 pavilion) or 58 facets (21 crown, 4 girdle, 33 pavilion), depending on how the pavilion is cut. This cut is most frequently a square shape where the length to width ratio is 1.05 or less.

According to Harold Newman's "Illustrated Dictionary of Jewellery", the term Princess Cut was previously applied to what is now known as the "Profile Cut" developed by Arpad Nagy of London in 1961. The same name was later used and made popular by Ygal Perlman, Betzalel Ambar, and Israel Itzkowitz in Israel, who in 1979 created the Princess cut (or Square Modified Brilliant) as it is known today.

The Princess Cut was designed for weight retention of octahedral Diamond crystals, helping to create more attractive Diamonds at more reasonable prices.

The princess cut tends to be one of the smallest of the shapes for the same carat weight since the cut is basically an upside-down pyramid with most of the carat weight in the pavilion. Princess cut diamonds with larger total depth percentages are much smaller in length and width than lower depth stones.

Always ensure that the setting for your princess cut diamond protects the four pointed corners -- these are the points most likely to chip (and why most rectangular or square diamond cuts have cropped corners).

Because of its extra facets, the Princess cut can disperse more light through the stone, this serves to hide inclusions more efficiently, making it the most brilliant of all square- and rectangular-shaped stones. It is also a popular cut for wedding bands because the stones can be arranged side by side without any gaps, making it ideal for an eternity band too. Furthermore, due to its sharply squared corners, the Princess is an ideal cut for long fingers.

You can either contact us on  +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

Diamond Shapes: Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

The rounds brilliant is the most popular of the diamond shapes. It is also the most brilliant of all the cuts. You may have heard of a term called “Ideal Cut“. This term refers to the attempt to cut a round diamond into the best proportions to achieve maximum brilliance. Today’s modern round brilliant diamond is precisely cut to maximize the diamond’s brilliance, fire and size.




The modern round brilliant diamond consists of 56-58 facets including the culet. Between the table and the girdle are generally thirty-two facets, and below the girdle twenty-four. The facets maximize the volume of light that is reflected from the inside and produce the greatest brilliance.

The round diamond began to rise in popularity in 1919 with the publication of Marcel Tolkowsky’s thesis “Diamond Design: A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in Diamond”. Tolkowsky’s work described the ideal proportions of a round cut diamond for maximizing light return (or brilliance) and dispersion (or fire). The original Tolkowsky specifications (53% table, 59.3% depth, 34.50 crown angle, visible culet) have since been modified as the cut mechanics for round diamonds have perfected over time. These theoretical advancements, as well as advancements in technology (such as the use of lasers in diamond cutting), have been adopted by diamond manufacturers to produce the incredibly brilliant cuts we see today in well cut round diamonds.

Because of the popularity of round diamonds, all diamond stores are well-stocked with round diamonds, providing customers with the greatest range of flexibility in terms of balancing cost versus quality. In other words, whether you are on a limited budget or the “sky’s the limit”, you will likely be able to find a suitable Round Brilliant Diamond in your price range at most stores.

The round brilliant is the most versatile of all cuts both in terms of style and value. With more fire and brilliance than any other shape, this cut offers the ideal balance between cut, colour and clarity grades and budget.
For a bachelor unsure of what might please his lady, it is hard to go wrong with this classic choice.

You can either contact us on  +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

'The 4 C’s of Diamonds' - Diamond Carat

Carat” is just a diamond industry special word for weight of a diamond stone. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or in other words, a 5-carat stone weighs 1 gram.

The word “carat” originates from the Greek word kerátion, which means carob beans, which were known in the ancient world for uniformity of their size and weight and were used as a measure of weight for different objects, including gemstones.

In the Far East instead of carob beans jewelers used rice grains to determine the weight of gemstones. Because of this fact, you may occasionally hear some jewelers referring to a 1-carat diamond a “four grainer,” which means in the past 1 carat was equal to four grains of rice.

The abbreviation ct is a shortened way to write carat, and refers to the weight of a single diamond. The abbreviation ct TW means carat total weight, and is used to express the total weight of multiple diamonds used in a piece of jewellery.

One diamond carat is divided into 100 points; a diamond that is ¾ of a carat is also 75 points. One carat is the equivalent of 0.2 grams. A large diamond with poor cut, colour and clarity will appear less eye catching than a smaller diamond with excellent cut, colour and clarity so a delicate balance is required.



Dimensions play an important role in the appearance of a diamond. In addition to the carat weight, the distance across the top of the diamond must also be taken into consideration. A common misconception is that half a carat is half the size of one carat. In fact, a half carat is half the weight of one carat, but the millimetre difference on a round stone is only 1.35mm. The average measurement for a 0.50ct stone is 5.00mm, while the average 1.00ct stone measures at 6.35mm.

While carat weight may indicate a diamond’s size, the shape and cut of a stone also play a large part in determining how large or small the stone appears. An elongated shape such as the Marquise cut may appear larger than a rounded shape such as the round brilliant even if the two stones share the same weight.

When comparing two stones of the same shape however, it is important to look at the cut grades and table and depth percentages, as shallower stones will tend to appear larger than deeper ones. Other aspects such as girdle width can also affect how large a stone appears, while not necessarily affecting the quality of the stone.

How Carat Weight Affects Value

Larger diamonds are more rare and in more demand than smaller diamonds of the same quality, so they can be sold for a higher price. A one carat diamond solitaire ring is nearly always more expensive than a diamond ring made up of multiple diamonds that are similar, but smaller, even though they total one carat or more.
Diamonds that weigh just under the next full carat are typically less expensive than diamonds passing the full-carat hurdle.

Depending on what is most important to the wearer and purchasers of the diamond, size or brilliance, the diamond Carat Weight should be either the first or last thing you choose.

You can either contact us on +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

'The 4 C’s of Diamonds' - Diamond Clarity


Clarity is an indication of a diamond's purity. It describes the degree to which a diamond is free of imperfections. Clarity simply refers to the tiny, natural imperfections that occur in all but the finest diamonds. Gemologists refer to these imperfections by a variety of technical names, including blemishes and inclusions, among others.


Inclusions refer to internal flaws and blemishes refer to surface flaws. However, in the diamond grades listed below, you'll note that none of the grades include the term "blemish" -- for the purposes of grading diamonds, all flaws are called "inclusions."

Inclusions include flaws such as air bubbles, cracks, and non-diamond minerals found in the diamond. Blemishes include scratches, pits, and chips. Some blemishes occur during the cutting processes (most often at the girdle). Diamonds with no or few inclusions and blemishes are more highly valued than those with less clarity because they are rarer.

The GIA diamond grading scale is divided into six categories and eleven grades. The clarity categories and grades are:


F – Flawless - Flawless diamonds generally show no inclusions or external blemishes at 10X magnification.

IF - Internally Flawless: IF diamonds show no inclusions at 10X magnification, but they may show very subtle external blemishes that could be removed with minor repolishing.

VVS1 and VVS2 - Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see imperfections under 10x magnification. You won't see inclusions with your naked eye, and they will be difficult to find with a microscope or a loupe. An excellent quality diamond.

VS1 and VS2 - Very Slightly Included: VS1 and VS2 diamonds have minor inclusions that are seen under 10X magnification, but inclusions typically cannot be seen without the aid of a loupe or microscope. Less expensive than the VVS1 or VVS2 grades.

SI1 and SI2 -  Slightly Included: Slightly Included: Inclusions are typically visible under 10x magnification, SI clarity diamonds are usually of the best value since inclusions are not always visible to the naked eye and prices are reasonable when compared to prices of the VS2 clarity and up grades. Some SI clarity diamonds do have visible inclusions and should be evaluated carefully.

I1, I2, I3 - Included: Inclusions visible under 10x magnification AS WELL AS to the human eye and will have many black spots from the black inclusions and/or appear very cloudy or milky from the white inclusions, feathers and cracks.. We do not recommend buying diamonds in any of these grades.

Diamond graders evaluate clarity by looking at:

Size – What size is the inclusion?

Quantity – How many inclusions?

Type – What kind of inclusion? Feathers, crystals, pinpoints, needles, and clouds are examples of different types of inclusions.

Color or Relief (reflectivity) – How much does an inclusion stand out from the diamond?

Placement – Where is the inclusion located within the diamond?

After carat weight, diamond clarity has the biggest influence on price; the fewer the inclusions, the higher the price. There are many reasons why people choose higher clarity diamonds over those with lower clarity. In some cultures, higher clarity is symbolic of purity, and higher clarity diamonds are certainly more rare, but for many, a medium clarity diamond is desirable. The choice is yours.

You can either contact us on +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

Thursday, 9 June 2011

'The 4 C’s of Diamonds' - Diamond Colour

The diamond colour scale was devised by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the mid 1950's to define and regulate the colour spectrum of diamonds. The GIA proposed starting at D as the best and most colourless diamond available. The colour D was chosen because diamond dealers were already using A, B and C and a break was required to regulate and harmonize the industry. The diamond colour scale progresses through the alphabet from D until Z.

Diamond Colour Grades

  • White/Colourless
Colour: D
D is the highest colour grade attributed to a diamond, denoting that the stone is completely colourless (white); as such, they are extremely rare and command the highest prices.
Colour: E
The colour difference between a D and an E graded stone is usually only visible to an expert gemmologist using master stones as a comparison, although E graded stones are slightly cheaper.
Colour: F
The colour difference between an E and an F is only visible to an expert gemologist using master stones as a comparison. F grades are the lowest and therefore least expensive of the premium colours.
  • Nearly White/Colourless
Colour: G
G graded diamonds are nearly colourless and a slight colour difference only become perceptible when compared to diamonds of grades D or E. G stones appear colourless especially once set and therefore offer excellent value for money.
Colour: H
H coloured diamonds are near colourless diamonds which still appear totally white or colourless if they are not compared side by side with higher colour graded stones. The H colour is generally considered the watershed between colourless diamonds and slightly tinted diamonds. As a result, the H colour is great value for money and unsurprisingly a very popular option.
  • Slightly Tinted
Colour: I
I coloured diamonds are very slightly tinted diamonds, however, once set in jewellery, these stones may appear colourless. If you are looking to maximize your budget, then an I coloured diamond offers great value for money.
Colour: J
J coloured diamonds are very slightly tinted diamonds, however, once set in jewellery, especially in yellow gold, it is harder to see the slight yellow tint which the J grade produces. If you are looking to maximize your budget or if you have a preference for slightly yellow tinted diamonds, then the J grade is a great option, offering fantastic value for money.
  • Tinted Colour
Colour: K - Z
K – Z diamonds are  particularly within the light yellow and yellow ranges and do have a noticeable yellow colour to them, even to the naked and untrained eye.


When it comes to colour, those seeking a purer stone will generally only consider stones in the D to F, or premium range. However, those less concerned with classified purity but rather the appearance of a colourless stone can get great value for money in selecting a diamond within the G to I range.

If on a stricter budget, it is always worth considering a J coloured stone which offers great value for money as it can appear nearly colourless when set in certain jewellery. It is especially important to remember that jewellery settings can greatly impact the appearance of colour.


Factors That Can Affect Diamond Colour
  • Mounting of the Stone
A loose diamond that appears lightly yellow to the naked eye will usually appear more colourless when mounted in a white setting -- platinum or white-gold. Mounting the same diamond in yellow-gold metal usually enhances the diamond's yellowish tone.
  • Diamond Fluorescence
Another characteristic that does not affect the colour grade of a diamond but is worth keeping in mind is diamond fluorescence. When choosing a diamond, you should always look for a fluorescence of either none or faint. Medium, Strong and Very Strong fluorescence can make some diamonds appear to have a slightly blue or milky white tint in strong sunlight or under an ultraviolet light.
  • Diamond Colour treatments
Various colour treatments are also undertaken for diamonds and colours can often be dramatically changed with these treatments. One such prevalent treatment is the HP/HT processing where high pressure and high temperatures are used to influence the colour of the stone. Besides these permanent treatments, various temporary coatings can also be opted for to enhance a diamond colour.

You can either contact us on +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.
 

'The 4 C’s of Diamonds' - Diamond Cut


Did you know that the term diamond cut does not refer to its shape? Sure, you have to cut a diamond to make it a shape, but when gemologists say "cut," they are talking about a diamond's proportions, such as its depth and width and the uniformity of its facets--all characteristics that control brilliance, durability and other features we look for in a diamond.

The way a diamond is cut, its width, depth, roundness, size and position of the facets determine the brilliance of the stone. Even if the color and clarity are perfect, if the diamond is not cut to good proportions, it will be dull and less impressive to the eye.

 

Cut Grades


Ideal cut: These are the top quality diamonds. Producing maximum brilliance and “fire” (light dispersion), ideal-cut diamonds cannot help mesmerising the onlookers.  Represents roughly the top 3% of diamond quality based on cut. Reflects nearly all light that enters the diamond. An exquisite and rare cut. 

 

Very good cut: These diamonds create a good deal of brilliance, reflecting most of the light that enters them. These diamonds are the cutter's middle ground, when he tries to stick to the necessary proportions whilst slightly sacrificing them to create a larger diamond. This means that lots of the parameters of diamonds from this range overlap with certain parameters of diamonds from the Premium and Ideal ranges. Commonly, these diamonds are priced a bit lower than Premium cuts. Represents roughly the top 15% of diamond quality based on cut. Reflects nearly as much light as the ideal cut, but for a lower price. 

 

Good cut: These are diamonds that reflect a fair amount of the light. Their proportions are far from being ideal, because just like poor-cut diamonds they are created to keep their largest possible size rather than to mesmerise you with their optical characteristics. Diamonds from this range are the perfect option for customers who want to stay within a budget without compromising on quality or beauty.  Represents roughly the top 25% of diamond quality based on cut. Reflects most light that enters. Much less expensive than a very good cut. 

 

Fair cut: A diamond rated as fair reflects only a small amount of the light that enters it. Usually, these diamonds are cut to maximise the carat weight over other considerations. Represents roughly the top 35% of diamond quality based on cut. Still a quality diamond, but a fair cut will not be as brilliant as a good cut. 

 

Poor cut: Diamonds that are generally so deep and narrow or shallow and wide that they lose most of the light out the sides and bottom. The diamond may appear noticeably dull and lifeless, even to an untrained eye. Avoid Poor cut diamonds, even if size is the primary concern. Most find these diamonds to be an unacceptable trade off, despite the lower price.

A good diamond cut has many characteristics:


Diamond Width and Depth

The proportions of width and depth have a large impact on diamond brilliance, the reflection of white light that we see when we look at a diamond.

  • Light traveling through a shallow cut diamond is lost out of the bottom of the stone and does not back into sight. The lack of light play makes shallow cut diamonds appear lifeless.
  • Light traveling through a diamond that's cut too deep escapes out the sides, darkening all or portions of the stone.
  • Light traveling through an ideal cut diamond bounces back out the top of the stone, bringing its brilliance into view.

Diamond Symmetry

Symmetry is a term that refers to the alignment of a diamond's facets, its flat and polished surfaces. The facets should be cut to achieve the best play of light.
The importance of symmetry is less important in diamonds that have lower clarity grades. Symmetry is more important in diamonds that have very high clarity grades.
When selecting your diamond, choose one of the following symmetry grades:
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
Listed below is a list of abbreviations and brief descriptions of symmetry grades that are used by GIA, EGL, and IGI.
  • EX or E - Excellent, Flawless at 10 power
  • VG or VGD -Very Good, Extremely difficult to locate under 10 power
  • GD, GO, G - Good, Very diffucult to see under 10 power
  • F, FR, FA - Fair, Noticable under 10 power
  • PR, PO, P - Poor, Easy to see under 10X / Visible to unaided eye
  • VP, VE, - Very Poor, Relatively easy to see with the unaided eye
  • EX or EP - Extremely Poor, Obvious to see with unaided eye

Diamond Polish

Polish influences how well light is able to pass through a diamond and is very important to a diamond's brilliance. It is necessary to select a diamond that is laboratory certified with good, very good or excellent polish. Diamonds that have poor to extremely poor polish are less brilliant because they have microscopic polish lines that blur the surface of the diamond. These polish lines reduce the amount of light that enters or exits a diamond. When selecting your diamond be aware many diamonds possess poor polish. Diamond cutters can greatly reduce labor costs by not taking time to properly polish a diamond.
  • EX or E - Excellent,  Flawless at 10 power
  • VG or VGD - Very Good, Extremely difficult to locate under 10 power
  • GD, GO, G - Good, Very difficult to see under 10 power
  • F, FR, FA -  Fair, Noticeable under 10 power
  • PR, PO, P -  Poor, Easy to see under 10X / Visible to unaided eye
  • VP, VE, -  Very Poor, Relatively easy to see with the unaided eye
  • EX or EP -  Extremely Poor, Obvious to see with unaided eye

Common Problems with Diamond Cuts

  • A broken or chipped culet.
  • A culet that's missing or one that's off center.
  • Misaligned or extra facets.
  • A girdle that is too thick, creating poor proportions, or too thin, making it easier to damage.
  • A fringed girdle, with tiny cracks going into the diamond.
  • A table that slopes to one side.
To be absolutely sure that you get a good diamond cut, deal only with reputable jewelers. Ask as many questions as you want to about the components of the diamond. Demand to see as many stones as possible to be able to make an effective comparison.

You can either contact us on +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

 

Why Diamond Certification Is So Important?


A certificate is actually the ""blueprint"" of a loose diamond. It is also called the diamond grading report or diamond dossier. It tells you the diamond's exact measurements and weight, as well as the details of its cut and quality. The certificate points out precisely all the individual characteristics and facets of the stone. The certificates also serve as proof of the diamond's identity and value. Without certification, there is no assurance that the diamond you are buying is of the quality you’re paying for.

A certificate, however, is not the same thing as an appraisal. A certificate describes the quality of a diamond, but it does not place monetary value on the gem. The certificate may help determine the diamond’s market value, but does not give the appraisal.

Diamonds are priceless and are valued much for their worth and excellence Loose diamonds are available in a variety of shapes. Whichever shaped diamond you buy it is very significant that the diamond be certified by an independent gemological laboratory like the International Gemological Institute (IGI), Gemological Institute of America (GIA); the American Gem Society (AGS); the European Gemological Laboratories (EGL) and GemEx Systems.

There are many diamond grading labs in operation, many of which produce their own grading reports. Different labs have different grading standards, and some labs will be more lenient with their standards compared to others.

From the prospect of investment also the diamond certification is very important. Your diamond will be easier to sell if it is properly certified. Uncertified diamonds can be certified by sending them to an independent gemological laboratory for examination. In case you loose your “diamond report” you can always get a copy of your certification from the gemological laboratory where you had it examined. It is the pedigree that goes with the diamond and becomes a valuable document in case of loss because it will ensure that your insurance company will replace your stone with another certified stone of same quality. Certificates are not appraisals since they do not contain any information regarding the value or price of a diamond.


Shopping around for graded loose diamonds allows you to make an informed choice about your selections. You can compare one diamond with a particular weight and quality with other loose diamonds of similar weight and quality to determine which has the better value.

When purchasing loose diamonds, it is always safe to do so in stores that give out a report for every loose diamond purchased. This way, one can make sure that the diamond is genuine. Some diamond stores actually boast of selling diamonds that are accompanied by a lab report from GIA or AGSL, labs that have consistently demonstrated their commitment to high standards. Some lab reports are also ready for online viewing for the virtual shoppers.

You can either contact us on  +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

How to Examine a Diamond ?

If you’re in the market for a diamond, you need to know how to properly look at them so you will know if you are getting an amazing diamond or an amazing rip-off.





You will need
  • 10-power binocular microscope
  • 10-power jeweler’s loupe
  • diamond tweezers
  • lint-free cloth
  • daylight light source 
Step 1: Ready The Stone
View the diamond unmounted so you can examine it from all angles. If it’s mounted in a setting, have it removed. 

Step 2: Tweezers
Jewelers use diamond tweezers to examine diamonds because they have fine, grooved tips for traction and have a locking mechanism so the diamonds won’t pop out when handling.

To pick up a diamond with tweezers, place the diamond face down on a clean, flat surface and position the tweezers on either side of the diamond’s widest part, or “crown.” Gently push forward the tweezers slide lock until it barely catches. You don’t want to press too hard. You could damage the diamond’s edge, or even send it flying. 

Step 3: Naked Eye Inspection
 Inspect the diamond first by eye to try spot any major defects. If you do this after viewing with magnification, your eyes will only see what they expect to see.

Also, move the diamond away from the jeweler’s army of bright lights which will pretty much make frozen spit sparkle. Walk the diamond over to a window to see how it sparkles there by comparison. 

Step 4: Magnification & Lighting
Diamonds are graded with a jeweler’s loupe (pronounced loop). This basically a hand held magnifier that is fully corrected so that there is no distortion. Loupes, though, are very hard to master and it’s much easier for you to use a binocular microscope instead.

If you do use a loupe, make sure that it is 10 power as some jewelers might give you a 5 or 2 power one so you can’t see a diamond’s flaws as well.The first thing to know about using a jeweler’s loupe is that you can look through it from either side; they are both the same. Bring the loupe right up to your eye in one hand and hold the diamond in the other, positioning the diamond about one inch away from the loupe until the entire interior of the diamond is in clear view.

Keep your head up as if you were talking to someone so you will not block out the light from hitting the diamond. Ideally, you want the strongest light source to pass through the side of the diamond. When viewing the color of the diamond use only daylight balanced light as incandescent lights will give off a yellow color.

Step 5: Examination

When determining the body color of the diamond, place the diamond face down on a white background. Look through the slanting sides going up to its point, the “cone” of the diamond. Notice how saturated the color is at the thickest points. This is the only way to judge a diamond’s true color, as many diamonds will appear white when looked at face up.

After you have inspected the diamond and it all looks good, make sure that it comes along with a grading certificate. This is a written document from a creditable gemological lab, like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), that delineates the diamonds clarity, color, cut, and carat weight, among other things. With this certificate in hand, you know exactly what you are buying.

You can either contact us on  +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.

Wednesday, 8 June 2011

How to store Loose Diamonds ?

If you are a fan of diamond jewellery, you may discover that you can save money by purchasing the gems loose and then having them professionally set into the jewellery of your choice. Keeping loose diamonds is also a good option if you plan to design your own one-of-a-kind custom jewellery pieces. Because loose diamonds may scratch other jewellery pieces (and one another) it is imperative that they are properly stored to prevent damage. In addition, loose diamonds are much easier to misplace prior to being set. If you store them properly, you can reduce the likelihood that the stones will be lost prior to being used.

1 - Place each loose diamond in a small, plastic gem bag. Gem bags are available online or through your local jewellery supplier. Separating each loose stone is vital to prevent the stones from bumping up against one another.

2 - Separate the loose diamonds in their gem bags from your other jewellery. This will help you keep track of your loose stones and prevent the gem bags from being inadvertently torn or damaged. A damaged gem bag may result in a lost stone.

3 - Consider storing the loose gems in a safe deposit box at your local bank until you are ready to have them set into jewellery. In the event of a robbery, your diamonds will be safe.

4 - Purchase insurance on your diamond jewellery. This will protect you in the event your gems are lost or stolen.


You can either contact us on +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.



How to Buy Loose Diamonds ?

Are you going to buy loose diamonds this year? Is it your first diamond? When you decide to make a diamond purchase yourself, you need to ask, "Do I know how to buy diamonds?" Each diamond is unique. Unique in color and clarity, size and cut, diamonds can be hard to purchase because natural and man-made imperfections change the value of each stone. New diamond buyers should know exactly what they are going to see before they see it. These steps will show you how to decide which loose diamond is the perfect diamond for you. With this information you can be sure to know how to buy loose diamonds. Fulfill your expectations and buy beautiful loose diamonds that last forever with the help of 'How to Buy Loose Diamonds' .

1 - Budget you finances according to your diamond purchase. Diamonds can be the largest purchase you make this year. If you want to know how to buy loose diamonds, then you should start with the budget first. While diamonds come in all different price ranges according to their grade, size, cut, and clarity, knowing how much money you will spend gets you in the right frame of mind when taking these steps to the jewelers for a look through their diamond inventory. Know how much you can spend and then use your knowledge of how to buy loose diamonds to get more diamond for your money.

2 - Visit local jewelers. Working with a respected jeweler will allow you to see how the diamonds he has are affected by the different quality checks that makes a diamond more or less expensive according to similar shapes and sizes. If it is your first visit to look at diamonds. Request that you be shown diamonds of different shapes, sizes, and clarity. Look at a minimum of two diamonds of similar price. Taking note of every difference, here are the things that make a loose diamond more, or less expensive. Carry notes and be ready to ask the jeweler to verify all diamond grades with proof. A certificate grade diamond will be able to carry its grade from owner to owner and from one jeweler to another. Be safe when you buy diamonds. Make you own decision on the quality of diamond you are shown. Regardless of a certificate you should always inspect the diamond yourself to confirm or deny the grade that each diamond receives.

3 - Weigh the diamond in carats. Each carat has one hundred points. Each diamond you will see at a jewelers will be sized and list the number of points. If the points are different than the stated carat size, then know that this diamond is being misrepresented. One of the easiest ways to buy less diamond than you want is to buy a diamond with less points that the descriptions states. While the size of a diamond makes it impressive in size, the color and clarity of the diamond is what makes it more or less expensive. Color, cut, and clarity. The three features of a diamond that affects the cost of a new diamond the most.

4 - Inspect the clarity of the diamond. Being a naturally produced product, a loose diamond is subject to imperfections that happen during the formation of the stone. Being made up of carbon, different materials can become infused within the diamond crystal. These inclusions can give a diamond color, show up as defects within the stone, or be missing entirely which makes a diamond more valuable. Inclusion free, colorless diamonds are the most sought after first diamond purchase around the world. Even with colored diamonds going for high process because of rarity, colorless, inclusion free diamonds are the most sought after and prized diamonds on the market.

5 - Choose the shape of the diamond you want to buy. The one feature of a diamond that the owner will have their own preference on is the shape. After choosing a shape for your diamond and have a selection to inspect, analyze the way the diamond cutter cut the diamond. For diamonds to have the best brilliance, the light that enters the diamond must go down to the base, be reflected to the other side and then out back the top of the diamond. Diamonds that are cut too long or too short, will not have the same brilliance as a perfectly cut diamond. Learn how to buy diamonds that are cut correctly and your choice of a new diamond this year will be a very good purchase. Color, cut, clarity, and carat are what determine how much a diamond will cost. Make the most of your diamond budget by shopping smart and knowing how to buy loose diamonds.

You can either contact us on +60162211051 today or email us on kul.stones@gmail.com to arrange a consultation about your exquisite loose diamond.