A Natural Diamond is a gemstone formed deep within the Earth's mantle over billions of years. It is composed of pure carbon, which has been subjected to intense heat and pressure deep beneath the Earth's surface. Natural Diamonds are widely known for their exceptional hardness, brilliance, and fire.
They are valued for their beauty and rarity, and they are commonly used in jewelry such as engagement rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. In contrast to Lab Grown Diamonds, which are created in a laboratory, Natural Diamonds are formed over millions or billions of years through natural geological processes.
The quality of a Natural Diamond is evaluated using the four C's, which is an industry-wide standard. These four C's are an acronym for cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, which are used to determine the rarity and value of a diamond. Below is a brief explanation of each of these factors.
1. CARAT WEIGHT - This refers to the physical weight of a Natural Diamond. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams. The higher the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond. It is important to note that carat weight is not the same as size. While larger diamonds generally have a higher carat weight, the cut of the diamond can also affect its size. A well-cut diamond will appear larger than a poorly cut diamond of the same carat weight.
Overall, carat weight is an important factor to consider when selecting a diamond, but it should not be the only factor considered.
2. CUT - The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish. A well-cut diamond will reflect light and sparkle more brilliantly, making it more valuable. The cut is typically graded on a scale from Excellent to Poor. Slate & Tell is committed to hand-selecting Natural Diamonds that have been cut with precision and provide you with optimal brilliance.
3. CLARITY - The clarity of a Natural Diamond is graded on a scale from Flawless to Included. This refers to the presence or absence of inclusions or blemishes in the Natural Diamond. Inclusions are internal characteristics, while blemishes are external characteristics. Both may affect the Natural Diamond's brilliance, transparency, and overall visual appeal.
Diamonds with higher clarity grades are rarer and more valuable, while diamonds with lower clarity grades are more common and less expensive. However, diamonds with lower clarity grades can still be beautiful and have unique characteristics that make them desirable.
When choosing a diamond, it's important to balance the diamond's clarity grade with the other three C's and your budget. Slate & Tell hand selects Natural Diamonds with a minimum Clarity of SI2-I1, providing an affordable and visually appealing center stone for your Natural Diamond engagement ring.
Diamonds with higher clarity grades are rarer and more valuable, while diamonds with lower clarity grades are more common and less expensive. However, diamonds with lower clarity grades can still be beautiful and have unique characteristics that make them desirable.
When choosing a diamond, it's important to balance the diamond's clarity grade with the other three C's and your budget. Slate & Tell hand selects Natural Diamonds with a minimum Clarity of SI2-I1, providing an affordable and visually appealing center stone for your Natural Diamond engagement ring.
4. COLOR - The color of a diamond is an important factor in determining its value and is assessed by evaluating the presence or absence of color within the stone. Essentially, the less color a diamond has the more valuable and desirable it is considered. Colorless diamonds (graded D-F) are highly valued due to their bright, icy white appearance.
Near colorless diamonds (graded G-J) offer the right balance between beauty and affordability. It's very unlikely for the untrained eye to detect color in a near colorless diamond. A diamond that is well-cut will display brighter white than a poorly cut diamond, making them a great value option compared to colorless diamonds.
The process of grading diamond color is highly detailed and complex, with experts evaluating each stone based on a variety of factors including hue, saturation, and tone. A highly trained gemologist will assess the diamond under controlled lighting and viewing conditions, comparing it to a set of master stones to determine its exact color grade.
When selecting a diamond, it's important to consider the color grade in conjunction with the other three C's (cut, clarity, and carat weight) to ensure that you are getting the best possible diamond for your budget and preferences. Slate & Tell hand selects near colorless natural diamonds to set within all fine jewelry, engagement rings, and wedding bands
In terms of appearance and physical properties, Natural Diamonds and Lab-Grown Diamonds can be very similar. Both types of diamonds are made of pure carbon and have the same crystal structure, which gives them their hardness and durability. They can both be cut and polished to create a range of shapes and styles, and they can both have the same color grades and clarity grades.
However, there are a few differences between Natural Diamonds and Lab Grown Diamonds that may be of interest to buyers. One of the main differences is that Natural Diamonds have unique characteristics (inclusions) and imperfections within the crystal that are a result of their natural formation process.. In contrast, Lab Grown Diamonds are created in a controlled environment and can have fewer inclusions and blemishes, making them appear cleaner and more perfect.
Another difference is that Natural Diamonds are typically more expensive than Lab Grown Diamonds, especially for larger sizes and higher-quality grades. This is partly due to the rarity of Natural Diamonds and the cost of mining and processing them. Lab Grown Diamonds, on the other hand, can be produced more efficiently and at a lower cost, making them a more affordable option for buyers.
Deciding between a Natural Diamond and a Lab Grown Diamond is ultimately a personal choice, which can be influenced by various factors, including your budget, ethical considerations, and aesthetic preferences. It is worth noting that at Slate & Tell, we prioritize the curation of high-quality, affordable Natural Diamonds. This ensures that you can shop with confidence, knowing that we have carefully selected the best options for you.
Slate & Tell offers Natural Diamonds that are both responsibly sourced and recycled. There are several benefits to choosing responsibly sourced and recycled Natural Diamonds when shopping with Slate & Tell:
1. ENVIRONMENTAL - One of the main advantages of recycled Natural Diamonds is that they help reduce the environmental impact of diamond mining. Mining for Natural Diamonds can be destructive to the environment, including soil erosion, water pollution, and deforestation. By using recycled diamonds, you are reducing the demand for newly mined diamonds, which in turn reduces the negative impact on the environment
2. ETHICAL - Another advantage of responsibly sourced recycled Natural Diamonds is that they are an ethical choice. The diamond mining industry has been associated with human rights abuses, including forced labor and child labor. By choosing recycled diamonds, you can help ensure that you are not contributing to these negative practices.
3. COST EFFICIENT: Recycled Natural Diamonds can also be more affordable than newly mined diamonds, as they do not require the same level of mining and processing. This can make it easier to find high-quality diamonds that fit within your budget.
Overall, responsibly sourced and recycled Natural Diamonds offer several advantages, including environmental sustainability, ethical considerations, and cost savings. By choosing recycled diamonds, you can make a responsible and conscious choice that aligns with your values and preferences.
A Natural Diamond certification is a document that provides detailed information about the quality and characteristics of a Natural Diamond. It is usually issued by a gemological laboratory or an independent third-party organization, and it serves as an objective and standardized assessment of the diamond's quality
The certification typically includes information about the diamond's carat weight, color grade, clarity grade, cut grade, and other characteristics such as fluorescence and symmetry. It may also include information about the diamond's shape, measurements, and proportions. A natural diamond certification is important because it provides assurance to the buyer that the diamond they are purchasing is authentic and of the quality advertised. It also helps to establish the diamond's value and can be used as a tool for comparison when shopping for diamonds.
Some of the most well-known diamond certification laboratories include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the International Gemological Institute (IGI), and the American Gem Society (AGS). It is important to note that not all certification laboratories are equal, and some may have different grading standards or reputations within the industry.
