Diamond Shape
Shape is an important factor to consider when buying diamonds.
From princess cut, pear or oval shaped diamonds to heart, cushion,
marquise shape and emerald, every shape manufactured by SRK has its own attributes.
Pricing parameters followed by the SGS:
CLARITY
Clarity is a term used for describing the number and size of inclusions in a diamond. Inclusions are mainly traces of non-crystallized carbon that may appear on the diamonds internally or externally. A flawless diamond contains no inclusion and is considered extremely rare and valuable. Large inclusions affect the brilliance of the stone as they interfere with the dispersion of light.
We grade diamonds on the basis of purity by determining following categories:
-
-
-
VVS1
Very Very Slightly Included-1
-
VVS2
Very Very Slightly Included-2
-
VS1
Very Slightly Included-1
-
VS2
Very Slightly Included-2
-
-
-
-
COLOR
Diamonds close to being colorless are more rare and valuable. Diamonds that display little color allow more light to pass through, resulting in a burst of brilliance. On the basis of color, diamonds are allocated a grade, starting with D grade (for colorless diamonds) and ending in a Z+ grade. Some diamonds are also found in vivid colors such as red, blue and pink.
SGS Color Grades
Parameters
Cut
Cut gives a unique sparkle and brilliance to diamonds. Cut quality depends on the craftsmanship of the diamond cutter. If a diamond has perfect color and clarity but the cut is poor, it will lose its brilliance.
We grade diamonds on the basis of cut by determining following categories:
SGS Cut Grades
Description
Polish
Polish mainly describes the smoothness of the facets in a diamond. This is the last step in the diamond cutting procedure. Brilliance of a diamond can be enhanced with a smooth polishing of the facets.
Diamonds are graded on the basis of polish by determining following categories:
SGS Polish Grades
Description
Symmetry
Symmetry refers to the alignment of the facets (surface conditions) in a diamond. Each facet needs to be of a consistent size and positioned opposite the corresponding facet. Poor symmetry misdirects the light that enters the diamond.
We grade diamonds on the basis of symmetry by determining the following categories:
SGS Symmetry Grades
Description
Heart & Arrows
An impeccable round diamond with perfect angles is called ‘Heart and Arrows’ (H&A). These diamonds are graded with extra specifications under SGS. They are not included in the regular cut criteria as H&A diamonds are considered better than the most excellent cut diamonds.
SGS H&A Grades
Description
Luster
Luster and brilliance are two most valued attributes of a diamond. Luster describes a diamond’s fire and sparkle. Milkiness is mainly a hazy inclusion in the diamond that appears white or grey in color. This haziness affects the brilliance of a diamond.
Depending upon the light reflected from the stone, SGS grades diamonds on the basis of three levels of luster, and three levels of milkiness:
Level of Brilliance:
SGS Luster Grades
Description
Level of Milkiness:
SGS Milky Grades
Description
Fluorescence
When exposed to ultraviolet radiations, a diamond glows if it carries the characteristic of fluorescence. Black light is the most common source of UV exposure in which many diamonds give off a glowing blue coloration.
SGS grades diamonds based on the level of fluorescence present in them:
SGS Fluorescence
Grades Description
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-
-
-
-
VST
Very Strong Fluorescence
White Inclusion
Diamonds at SRK are graded on the basis of five types of Inclusions. Pin Points (PP), Clouds (CLD), Crystals (CRL), Feathers (FR) and Spreaded (SPR).
Pin Point (PP): It is a small crystal that looks like a tiny dot when using a 10x loupe. Generally, pin points are white in color; however, they can also be found in a dark color.
Clouds (CLD) :This consists of various tightly grouped pin points. Some are quite dense (impossible to see with the naked eye) whereas others look like a light haze.
Crystal (CRL):It is a mineral crystal contained in some diamonds. Crystals can appear alone or in groups and they can be of any size and color.
Feather (FR):This is a general term used for any break in the diamond.
Spreaded (SPR):This appears when the feather inclusions are in a greater number. They are spread across and not grouped together.
SGS Other Inclusion
Description
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-
PP1
Pin Point Minor Inclusion
-
PP2
Pin Point Medium Inclusion
-
CLR1
Crystal Minor Inclusion
-
CLR2
Crystal Medium Inclusion
-
SPR1
Spreaded Minor Inclusion
-
SPR2
Spreaded Medium Inclusion
-
SPR3
Spreaded Heavy Inclusion
-
FR1
Feather Minor Inclusion
-
FR2
Feather Medium Inclusion
-
FR3
Feather Heavy Inclusion
-
CLD1
Cloud Minor Inclusion
-
CLD2
Cloud Medium Inclusion
-
CLD3
Cloud Heavy Inclusion
SRK Specifies White Inclusion For Two Sections
• Table White Inclusion
• Side White Inclusion
Black Inclusion (Natts)
As compared to the total inclusions, we grade diamonds on the basis of black inclusions by determining the following categories:
We grade diamonds on the basis of black inclusions as compared to the total inclusions by determining the following categories:
SGS Black Inclusion Grades
Description
-
-
BPP
Pin Point Black Inclusion
-
-
B2
Medium Black Inclusion
SGS specifies two kinds of black inclusions
-
Table Black Inclusion
-
Side Black Inclusion
Open Inclusion
Open inclusion is a small, shallow opening on the surface of a diamond, often found near the girdle, culet or facet junctions.
SGS grades diamonds with open inclusions as mentioned below:
SGS Open Inclusion Grade
Description
-
-
HL
Hair Line Open Inclusion
-
-
-
SGS specifies four parts of open inclusion
• Table Open Inclusion
• Crown Open Inclusion
• Pavilion Open Inclusion
• Girdle Open Inclusion
Extra Facet
It is an extra facet that is placed on a diamond’s normal facet without considering the symmetry of the stone. These are additional to the facets required for making a brilliant cut diamond.
SGS Extra Facet Grade
Description
SRK Specifies Extra Facet For Three Sections
• Table Extra Facet
• Crown Extra Facet
• Pavilion Extra Facet
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