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Welcome to the first delivery of our new blog series, “4 C’s Fast Track”, where we take a deep dive into the 4C’s of Diamonds—Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carats—and give you all the information you need to understand them, in a clear and straightforward language. So the next time you’re shopping for natural color diamonds, you can confidently ask questions and make an informed purchase.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
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What are Diamond Carats?
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How Do Carats Impact Value?
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Carats in Color Diamonds
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Tips To Make Your Diamonds Look Bigger
The Origin of Diamond Carats
Carob seeds were used as weight units in ancient times.
Carats are the international unit to measure diamonds, pearls, and other gemstones.
1 metric carat = 200mg or 0.20g
The name comes from the ancient practice of measuring different precious materials—such as gold and diamonds—weighing them against carob seeds. Carob seeds were believed to be very consistent in weight, although this wasn’t the case.
Carats are not the only way to express diamond weight, though. You might have heard a jeweler describing a diamond by its ‘points.’ It’s common practice in the industry to use a points system, where 1 carat is subdivided into 100 ‘points.’ This allows for precise measurement of gems under 1 carat. A ’25-pointer’, for example, refers to a 0.25 carat diamond. A 50-point diamond would equate to half a carat, and so on.
In diamond jewelry descriptions, you’ll probably see it abbreviated as ct when listing the carat weight of a center stone. Another abbreviation you might find is ctw or tcw, which stands for carat total weight, or total carat weight, respectively. This is particularly helpful in disclosing the total weight of all diamonds used in a single piece of jewelry.
4.50 ctw Olive Diamonds Pavé Ring by Langerman
For example, the 18kt yellow gold ring above contains many pavé-set Olive diamonds of varying carat weights. In this case, it’s easier to explain that all the diamonds in the piece have a combined carat weight of 4.50.
3 Things You Should Know About Carats
Carat Weight Size Comparison in Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds.
People often mistake carats for a size measure, but there is a correlation between carat weight and diamond size. After all, the heavier an object is, the larger it probably is too. But there are some things you should know.
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Diamond Shapes Carry Their Weight Differently
Lengthy cuts like this Fancy Yellow marquise diamond, typically look bigger.
Carats will give you an idea of how large a diamond is, but you should know weight is distributed differently among the various diamond shapes. The Asscher cut, for example, tends to hold more weight at the pavilion, therefore, looking slightly smaller when compared to a round-cut of the same carat weight. On the other hand, elongated cuts create the illusion of a larger size. A marquise-cut diamond will likely appear bigger than a round-cut of the same carat weight.
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Diamonds Of The Same Carat Weight Might Not Have The Same Dimensions
This matching pair of radiant cut Lime diamonds look alike but vary slightly in carat weight and size.
Diamond cuts have varying proportions, such as the girdle’s thickness, the pavilion’s depth, or the ratio between length and width. This means that two diamonds of the same carat weight and cut might not be the same size.
For example, if you look at two 1 ct round-cut diamonds, you can be sure they both weigh 0.20g, but they could have different diameters. These millimetric variations aren’t always perceptible but should remind you that carats are not equivalent to specific sizes.
Explore Our Selection of Natural Color Diamond Sets for Jewelry
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Carats Are Not The Same As Karats
Three-stone Yellow diamond engagement ring in 18kt yellow gold.
Because they share the same origin—the mighty carob seed—both Carats (ct) and Karats (K or kt) are spelled similarly. But they measure completely different things.
Karats express purity in gold alloys. At Langerman, we work with 18kt gold, an alloy containing 18 parts or 75% pure gold mixed with other metals to create yellow, white, or rose gold.
Carats and Fancy Color Diamonds
Natural Champagne Diamonds in Marquise and Oval Shapes.
Higher carat weight is probably one of the most sought-after features when looking for a colorless diamond. And a defining factor in determining value as well. However, for natural color diamonds, color is the most important out of the 4 C’s.
0.38 carat Pear-shaped Fancy Gray Green Diamond.
When cutting colorless diamonds, preserving carat weight is top priority, but weight might be sacrificed to achieve a more intense color when cutting natural color diamonds. Fancy Vivid colors command higher prices than light, unsaturated hues. You might find a 0.25 carat Raspberry diamond to cost the same or even more than a 1 carat Baby Pink diamond.
Fancy Intense Purplish Red 0.50 carat Argyle diamond.
Natural color diamonds are hard to come across and finding them in larger sizes is also rare. Yellow, Chocolate, or Olive diamonds can sometimes reach 10 carat. But for other colored diamonds, it’s very difficult to find them above 1 carat.
The Best Design Trick To Make Your Diamond Look Bigger
There are some ways to create the illusion of a larger center stone, and at Langerman, we know all the techniques to make color diamonds stand out.
Impressive 4.50 ct Pink pear cut diamond set in 18kt rose gold with a delicate pavé of pink diamonds.
Surrounding your diamond with a row of smaller diamonds increases the light reflected back on the main stone.
This radiant cut Fancy Yellow diamond is surrounded by a double halo and set in 18kt yellow gold.
Diamond halos are the best design feature to make your center stone appear larger than its actual carat weight.
Champagne Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring with Diamond Halo.
Contact us to design a stunning, natural color diamond jewel with the best combination of the 4C’s for your budget and taste.
Step into the mesmerizing world of natural Pink diamonds, synonymous of elegance and sophistication. These exquisite gems have stolen the spotlight in the realm of fine jewelry, captivating the hearts of fashion enthusiasts around the globe.
In this article, we’ll explore the enchanting features of Fancy Pink diamonds, uncovering their origins, possible tones, and the growing fascination around them. As we delve into their unique characteristics, you’ll learn how they compare to other popular pink gemstones, revealing the distinct advantages that set them apart.
The Origin Of Their Mesmerising Hues
Fancy Pink diamonds are the result of a remarkable geological process that lasted millions of years. During their formation process, atomic traces of minerals such as hydrogen, nitrogen, or boron were introduced into their crystalline structure, resulting in impressive hues.
However, another scientific theory states that the pink hue comes from a deformation in the crystal lattice of the stone, a phenomenon caused by extreme pressure.
Whichever the cause, thanks to our Earth’s natural transformations, today we get to enjoy the exceptional shades of Pink diamonds.
From delicate pastel tones reminiscent of blooming cherry blossoms to intense, vivid shades that command attention, natural Pink diamonds offer a diverse palette of hues that ignite the imagination.
Rarity And A Growing Fascination
The allure of these unique stones lies not only in their enchanting beauty but also in their rarity.
As luxury enthusiasts and jewelry connoisseurs seek to come in possession of the most exclusive and coveted pieces, the interest surrounding fancy pink diamonds continues to grow. With the recent closure of the renowned Argyle mine in Australia, a significant source of Pink diamonds, their scarcity has skyrocketed.
Pink Diamond’s Unparalleled Properties
Brilliance
The refractive index of a diamond is approximately 2.42. This high refractive index is one of the factors that contribute to the exceptional brilliance and sparkle that diamonds are renowned for. The high refractive index allows diamonds to bend and reflect light in a way that creates maximum dispersion and brilliance, resulting in their captivating play of light and fire. It is this unique optical property that sets diamonds apart from other gemstones and contributes to their timeless allure and desirability.
Hardness
Diamonds are renowned for their exceptional hardness, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale, which is the highest possible rating. This remarkable property makes diamonds highly resistant to scratching and abrasion, ensuring their longevity and durability even with daily wear.
The hardness of a diamond contributes significantly to its value. Diamonds are prized for their ability to withstand the rigors of everyday use without losing their beauty or succumbing to damage. This durability ensures that diamond jewelry, such as engagement rings and heavily worn pieces, can be cherished forever and passed down through generations.
What About Other Pink Gemstones?
Tourmaline
This pink gemstone is often used in jewelry for its vibrant color. Pink tourmaline can be found in various parts of the world, including Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, and the United States. Each location may produce unique variations in color and quality, making it more complicated for the regular customer to understand how to measure and compare characteristics.
Tourmaline ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs' scale of hardness, making it moderately durable, but relatively softer compared to Pink diamonds. With a refractive index between 1.624 and 1.644, pink tourmaline exhibits a good amount of brilliance and light dispersion.
Pink quartz
This mineral showcases a soft, delicate pink hue that does not typically offer much sparkle. There are multiple levels of transparency available, from very translucent to milky opaque or smoky with yellow or brown undertones.
Scoring a 7 on the Mohs scale, pink quartz is relatively durable and suitable for some types of jewelry. However, it is still important to protect it from impact, and best suitable for earrings and low-wear pieces.
Pink Sapphire
The intensity of its color depends on the place of origin and the combination of trace elements present within its crystal structure.
With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, pink sapphires are very durable and resistant, making them suitable for all kinds of jewelry pieces. However, they are more prone to scratches than diamonds.
Kunzite
Kunzite is quite affordable because it’s relatively unknown although it can be found in many places like Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, and the USA.
Like most color stones, kunzite can be undergo irradiation or heat treatments to enhance its color. Exposure to heat and bright light can cause color in both natural and treated kunzite to fade over time.
Morganite
Most morganite deposits are found in Brazil, but the highest quality specimens come from Madagascar. Typically, morganite enjoys a high transparency with minimal inclusions resulting in clear, polished stones.
Scoring a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, Morganite is safe and durable enough for jewelry.
Your Best Choice: Pink Diamonds
There are multiple options to choose from to create a jewel with pink gemstones. However, they all fall short when compared to the durability and brilliance of natural Pink diamonds. With sources becoming more scarce while demand continues grows, Pink diamonds keep appreciating in value making them a better financial choice when compared to other gemstones which tend to loose value in the resale marker. Pink diamonds present multiple advantages for their investment potential and as a valuable asset to be passed on for generations.
When purchasing color gemstones, it’s important the buyer requests a professional laboratory report that discloses any enhancements to make an informed decision. Unfortunately for most consumers, it’s hard to find full-detailed information on a finished jewelry piece and it requires additional effort and inquiries to confirm the quality of a gemstone.
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Langerman Diamonds has over 50 years of expertise in sourcing and trading natural color diamonds. Explore our online inventory and contact us to learn more about the purchasing process.