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Diamond Education

Helping you select your perfect diamond
Discover the intricacies of diamond cuts, from the classic round brilliant to the mesmerising princess and elegant emerald cuts. Explore how different cuts and clairities affect a diamond’s brilliance, fire, and overall appearance, allowing you to make an informed choice that aligns with your personal preferences and style.
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The Beginner’s Guide to Diamonds

When it’s time to explore the range of engagement rings on offer to you, there’s usually one part of each piece of jewellery that draws the eyes of the bride-to-be. The centre stone of an engagement ring tends to be the clincher. With so many varieties in diamonds, each giving a ring its unique appearance, it can be difficult to choose the one that will perfectly mark your special occasion.

This beginner’s guide to diamonds describes some of the most popular diamonds for engagement rings. The cut grade is about how well a diamond’s facets (angles) reflect light to give it a sparkle. You’ll also want to consider a diamond’s shape to select the one that best suits you.

Whether you prefer a classical, traditional diamond for your engagement ring, or you want to make a statement with a modern cut, head to the Australian Diamond Company in Melbourne. Our expert jewellers are available to present some of the most exquisite engagement rings to you.

  • Round Brilliant Cut
  • Emerald
  • Marquise Cut
  • Oval
  • Princess Cut
  • Asscher
  • Cushion
  • Heart Shape
  • Pear Shape
  • Radiant

  • Round Brilliant Cut

    The round brilliant cut is the most popular choice for those buying engagement rings, with around 75% of all shoppers choosing this one. It is a classic, circular shape that has been around for several centuries. For a traditional diamond that will never go out of style, opt for a round brilliant cut.

    If cut correctly, it boasts perfect symmetry and impressive light-reflecting qualities. The pattern of the facets also make it better at hiding inclusions compared with some other shapes. The round shape looks beautiful on any metal and can be complemented with shoulder stones.

     

  • Emerald

    Emerald Cut

    For the ultimate diamond in glamorous design, opt for an emerald cut. Emerald cut engagement rings are coveted by stylish Hollywood celebrities and were chosen as an engagement ring by both Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. The cut was originally used for emeralds only, but expanded in the 1950’s to be available for diamonds and other stones, too.

     

  • Marquise Cut

    Probably the most unusual diamond cut on this list, the marquise cut gets its name from the French language, meaning “little boat”. It is a distinctive choice of diamond that is sure to get noticed. It has two pointed ends and is usually set vertically on the band, though it can also be set horizontally for a fresh, modern look.

    Its origins go way back to the 18th century when King Louis XV requested that a jeweller create a diamond that mirrored the smile of his mistress.

     

  • Oval

    Oval Cut

    The elongated shape of the oval cut diamond gives it its elegance, making it look beautiful on a more delicate band. It looks bigger than a circle cut, giving you a little bit more diamond for your money. The oval diamond cut is a popular choice for modern brides, as it was only created in the 1950’s. It has 58 facets so promises that fire and brilliance you get with a circle cut, just with a slightly more unique shape.

     

  • Princess Cut

    Princess Cut

    The technical name for a princess cut is a square modified brilliant, which doesn’t conjure up the fairytale fantasy quite like the princess name does. Those that love the elegant square shape and a more modern design love this style of diamond, which was created fairly recently in 1980.

    The four bevelled sides maximise brilliance, along with its 58 facets. The princess cut is the ideal diamond for a modern, stylish bride.

     

  • Asscher

    Asscher Cut

    With their distinctive step-cut facets and cropped corners, Asscher cut diamonds showcase a remarkable display of geometric symmetry and artistry. Their mesmerising optical qualities, including exceptional clarity and a mirror-like reflection, create an exquisite play of light and shadows.

     

  • Cushion

    Cushion Cut

    Known for their soft, pillow-like shape and exquisite faceting, cushion cuts embody a timeless elegance that complements a variety of styles. The combination of larger facets and rounded corners creates a unique play of light, resulting in exceptional fire and scintillation. The cushion cut’s versatility makes it perfect for engagement rings, earrings, and pendants, lending a touch of romance and sophistication to any piece.

     

  • Heart Shape

    Heart Cut

    Heart cut diamonds offer a romantic and sentimental choice for jewellery pieces, making them a perfect option for those seeking a symbol of love and affection. The symmetrical design and brilliant faceting of heart cuts result in exceptional sparkle and light performance, ensuring a captivating and dazzling display.

     

  • Pear Shape

    Pear Shape Cut

    Their unique teardrop shape combines the timeless beauty of a round cut with the elongated lines of a marquise cut, resulting in a distinctive and eye-catching silhouette. This cut allows for creativity in jewellery design, enabling pear cut diamonds to be featured in stunning solitaire rings, pendant necklaces, and even as captivating centre stones in engagement rings.

     

  • Radiant

    Radiant Cut

    The distinct facets of a radiant cut maximise the diamond’s ability to reflect light, resulting in a dazzling display of brilliance and fire. This makes radiant diamonds an ideal choice for engagement rings, as well as earrings and pendants, where their exquisite sparkle can truly shine. Whether set in a classic solitaire or adorned with side stones, radiant diamonds bring a contemporary yet timeless allure to any jewellery piece.

     

Diamond Clarity Guide

Everyone knows that diamonds are valuable — but not everyone understands that their value rises in line with their clarity. To determine the purity or clarity of your diamond, it’s helpful to refer to a diamond clarity chart, this is a key step for anyone looking to invest in a dazzling piece of jewellery. We’re sharing our essential guide to interpreting diamond clarity, and we’ve provided all the guidance you need to help you make a purchase that’ll leave your loved one speechless.

What does diamond clarity mean?

Diamond clarity is the qualitative metric helpful in grading the visual appearance of every diamond.

What impacts the clarity of a diamond?

The amount and significance of blemishes or inclusions on a diamond will determine where it sits on the diamond clarity grade scale. Clarity refers to the lack of blemishes or impurities a diamond has, and though flawless diamonds do exist, they are extremely rare with only 0.5-1% of stones categorised as totally blemish free. and the fewer blemishes it has, the purer it is.

While clarity is an important consideration when buying a diamond, there are other considerations as well, including its colour, cut, and the diamonds origin i.e. natural v/s lab diamonds.

How are diamond blemishes and inclusions graded?

Every diamond available to purchase is graded by an expert diamond grader under 10x magnification, and subsequently, graded in accordance with the clarity grading methodology. They’ll pay close attention to each precious stone, determining the size, number, type and position of inclusions. When viewed with the naked eye, a slightly included diamond will look like a very slightly included one under magnification. During the grading process, the diamond is kept in an upright position and examined carefully, reviewed against the diamond clarity grades. 

To provide you with a deeper understanding of the clarity level of each diamond, leading grading entities like Gemological Institute of America (GIA) analyse the stone and apply a clarity grade depending on its appearance — assigning every stone a clarity grade using the values of the scale. We’ve listed the ways in which the clarity of a diamond is measured below:

  • Flawless diamonds: No blemishes or inclusions when viewed with 100x magnification.
  • Internally flawless diamonds: No inclusions when viewed with 100x magnification.
  • Very, very slightly included diamonds: There are inclusions but difficult to see with 100x magnification.
  • Very slightly included diamonds: Minor inclusions can be seen with 10x magnification.
  • Slightly included diamonds: Inclusions can be seen with 10x magnification.
  • Included diamonds: Inclusions can be clearly seen with 10x magnification, and they can affect the brilliance of the diamond.
Why is understanding diamond clarity so important?
It’s important to understand the different grades of clarity before purchasing a diamond, as a diamond with poor quality might not be a piece that you’ll admire for years to come — but it’s essential to know exactly what you’re investing in. Poor quality diamonds can look dirty over time, but in the same vein, many inclusions won’t be visible to the naked eye. Knowing how your diamond of choice fares on the scale can simply help you to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your precious stone.
Our team of consultants will be able to provide a wealth of guidance on diamond clarity, simply visit us in store at the Australian Diamond Company, book an appointment online or call us on 1300 221 557.

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Step 1 - Schedule your appointment
When you are ready to book your consultation, simply choose a convenient date and time for your visit to our Melbourne showroom. We are open 7 days a week and conveniently located in the heart of the CBD.
Step 2 - Explore our showroom
When you choose ADC for your wedding band rings in Melbourne, our friendly team will warmly welcome you and take you on a guided tour of our showroom so you can immerse yourself in the brilliance of our dazzling collections.
Step 3 - Personalised design concepts
Now it's time to bring your dream ring to life. Share your vision with our knowledgeable experts, who will listen attentively and offer tailored style recommendations. We want to understand your unique preferences and create custom wedding bands in Melbourne that reflect your personal taste.
Step 4 - Meticulous craftsmanship
Once you have finalised your design, our skilled artisans will begin the meticulous process of crafting your bespoke ring. Throughout the journey, we will provide regular progress updates, ensuring you stay informed and excited about the creation of your special piece.