Large diamonds definitely capture one’s attention more than small diamonds. Size has always had a lot of focus when it comes to purchasing diamond jewellery, but there is actually a lot more to take into account than just the size or in the case of a diamond, the weight, which is measured in carats.

You see there is more to knowing diamonds than at first meets the eye, and while size is definitely an important factor determining the price, it is not necessarily most important because other factors need to be looked at as well.

If you are looking for a high quality diamond that is going to keep its value and also its beauty, then be aware of the other facets a diamond has before buying. The price and value also depend on the following factors:

Colour – You will find that the colour of a diamond is graded on a scale from D to Z with D being colourless or nearly colourless and of the highest quality, while those with values between K and Z are usually light yellow to faint yellow. D, E and F diamonds are rare and can demand high prices, while those graded between G and J are only “near” colourless and so usually cost less for the same size stone. G and H are usually popular grades giving a compromise of quality and price. On the lower end of the scale, yellow diamonds are less costly and not so much in demand, unless the yellow is very strong and then this can push the diamond into the Z+ (fancy) grades.

Cut – This is more than just the shape of the diamond. While commonly this refers to the shape such as “princess” or “round cut” or “pear cut” it can also refer to the quality of the design, which include the symmetry and the dimensions. The quality of a cut will affect how much sparkle and shine the diamond has: a better cut will have more sparkle and shine than a poor cut.

Clarity – refers to the number of imperfections in the diamond’s internal structure. A flawless diamond is therefore graded IF or internally flawless and is very rare, thus demanding a much greater price tag. The next in the scale is VVS1 and VVS2 which have only slight “inclusions” and these are also considered to be rare. Then comes VS1 and VS2 grades and they have inclusions which the naked eye cannot detect, which is why you always see jewellers using a magnifying class when valuing a diamond. After this comes SI 1 to SI 3 grades which are quality but have slight inclusions which are difficult to see. SI1 diamonds are very popular because they are still beautiful but cost less.

So when buying a diamond for a piece of jewellery it is important not only to look at the size, but also the other factors of cut, colour and clarity as these can affect the price just as much.