Diamond Guide
Choosing a diamond is one of the most meaningful purchases you will ever make. At Sparkle Twist, we want you to feel confident and informed every step of the way. This guide covers everything you need to know to find your perfect diamond.
The 4Cs of Diamond Quality
Every diamond is evaluated using four key characteristics, known as the 4Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat. Together, these determine a diamond's beauty and value.
Cut
Cut is the most important of the 4Cs and has the greatest influence on a diamond's brilliance. A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully, creating the sparkle diamonds are famous for. Cut grades range from Excellent to Poor — we recommend Excellent or Very Good for the most stunning results.
Colour
Diamond colour is graded on a scale from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Colourless diamonds (D–F) are the rarest and most valuable. Near-colourless diamonds (G–J) offer excellent value and are virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence of natural inclusions or blemishes within a diamond. The clarity scale ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3). We recommend VS1–VS2 or SI1 clarity for an eye-clean stone that offers great value.
| Clarity Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| FL / IF | Flawless / Internally Flawless |
| VVS1 / VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included |
| VS1 / VS2 | Very Slightly Included |
| SI1 / SI2 | Slightly Included |
| I1 / I2 / I3 | Included |
Carat
Carat refers to a diamond's weight, not its size. One carat equals 0.2 grams. While a larger carat weight generally means a higher price, the cut and shape of a diamond can make it appear larger or smaller than its carat weight suggests.
Diamond Shapes
The shape of a diamond is a matter of personal style. Popular shapes include:
- Round Brilliant — The most popular shape, known for maximum sparkle.
- Princess — A square shape with exceptional brilliance.
- Oval — Elegant and elongating on the finger.
- Cushion — A romantic, soft-edged square or rectangle.
- Emerald — A rectangular shape with a sophisticated, understated look.
- Pear — A unique teardrop shape that is both classic and modern.
- Marquise — An elongated shape that maximises carat weight appearance.
- Radiant — A rectangular shape with brilliant-cut facets for exceptional sparkle.
Diamond Certification
All diamonds at Sparkle Twist come with independent certification from leading gemological institutes such as GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or IGI (International Gemological Institute), giving you complete confidence in your purchase.
Need Help Choosing?
Our team is here to guide you to the perfect diamond. Contact us and we will be delighted to assist.