Get to know more about diamonds
At LSM, we place the utmost importance on the quality of diamonds we use to handcraft our jewellery.
Bijouterie LSM is renowned for the beauty of its diamonds, which far exceed the quality of the popular standard diamonds sold in Quebec.
Each jewel is carefully analyzed by qualified gemologists before being selected.
A diamond from LSM is a guarantee of undeniable value for your jewellery.
the 4 C’s
To be capable of determining the value of a diamond, simply looking at the size is not enough. The international market has established four criteria for a globally recognized assessment.
Before purchasing a diamond, it is essential to be able to verify the information on these criteria to make a better comparison.
Several gemological institutes offer diamond appraisal services, and stones of a good size are generally sold while accompanied with this certificate.
CARAT
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. Each diamond is weighed rather than measured to determine its size. Weight is expressed in carats. One carat is equal to 100 points or hundredths. Weight alone can never determine the value of a diamond. Quality diamonds can be found in all weights.
CUT
Many people confuse the size and weight of a diamond. The most popular diamonds are cut with 58 facets and are round. However, the choice of diamond shape is a matter of taste and does not impact its value. A perfect cut, by a skilled craftsperson results in unparalleled light and sparkle.
There are many different cuts, here are the most popular ones:
COLOUR
Diamonds come in all colours of the rainbow. However, for the most part, diamonds range from a slight yellow or brown tint to completely colourless, which is extremely rare. Colour is graded using letters, ranging from D (colourless) to Z (canary yellow). The most popular colours are G-H-I-J, which represent a white diamond.
CLARITY
Almost all stones contain tiny inclusions or crystallization peculiarities. Most of the time, they are not visible to the naked eye, only under a 10X magnifying glass. The fewer inclusions a diamond has, the rarer it is.
F-IF
A diamond is classified as IF (internally flawless) when, under a 10X magnifying glass, it is completely transparent and free of inclusions. Only a certified gemological centre can attest to IF purity. F-certified diamonds are extremely rare, as they have no external or internal characteristics.
VVS1-VVS2
A VVS diamond (very very small inclusions) has very very small inclusions that are difficult to see with a magnifying glass. The location and size of the inclusion will determine whether it is classified as 1 or 2.
VS1-VS2
A VS diamond (very small inclusions) has very small inclusions that are difficult to see with a magnifying glass. The location and size of the inclusion will determine whether it is classified as 1 or 2.
SI1-SI2
An SI diamond (small inclusions) has small inclusions that are easily visible under a magnifying glass but invisible to the naked eye when viewed from the side of the crown. The inclusions do not affect the diamond’s sparkle. The location and size of the inclusion will determine whether it is classified as 1 or 2.
I1-I2-I3
An I diamond (inclusions), commonly referred to as pique, has inclusions that are easily visible under a magnifying glass, slightly affecting its brilliance (except in the case of I2-I3 diamonds, where brilliance is significantly affected). These diamonds are unfortunately very popular in the market due to their lower stone value.
Our advice
Before purchasing a diamond, ask your jeweller for a 10X magnifying glass so you can admire the stone’s brilliance and sparkle. Even an untrained eye will see the difference and appreciate the overall quality. If your jeweller doesn’t have a magnifying glass, be wary! It’s like a carpenter without a hammer! They may simply not want you to see the diamond in its true light. It will be up to you to decide whether you prefer larger, whiter or colourless, or with greater purity. Each criterion must be taken into consideration before the purchase.
At LSM, you will find diamonds of higher quality than most diamonds available in the Canadian market. However, all qualities can be offered upon request.
