Bluff diamonds are diamonds that appear to be bigger and of a better quality than they actually are. They are very popular nowadays, especially with people looking for a diamond where size matters more than the quality.
What are the characteristics of a bluff diamond? We’ll explain each 4C of this particular kind of diamond so you can have a complete view of what a bluff diamond really is and why it’s less expensive than a top graded diamond.
Firstly, we’ll discuss the clarity of the diamond, indicating if there are inclusions in the diamond. A bluff diamond typically will be graded SI (slightly included) or I (included), meaning it has some imperfections. This implies the diamond has inclusions, but what is different with a bluff diamond, is that these inclusions will be on the sides rather than in the middle. Meaning the gold smith can perfectly hide these imperfections by setting the diamond a certain way onto the jewel. In most cases, the inclusions will be hidden under the prongs.
Second on the list is thecolour. While the best diamonds are colourless with a D, E or F grading, bluff diamonds tend to have a yellowish shine to it. Regardless, the diamonds will still appear colourless and not look like yellow diamonds.
Thirdly, we’ll discuss the diamond cut. In general, fancy shapes are less expensive than round brilliants. One particular shape to avoid with bluff diamonds, is the emerald cut, because it is more difficult to hide certain inclusions. The best pick when it comes to the cut for bluff diamonds are an oval or marquise cut.
Lastly there’s the carat, referring to the weight of the diamond. This is an import aspect as well, because the size is important for bluff diamond. Whilst there are compromises to be made with the colour and clarity, the budget usually allows for the carat to be high enough.
Bluff diamonds are great for people who are looking for a large diamond but don’t mind compromising on the quality. They are less expensive than the high-quality diamonds, but of course they are still diamonds. Additionally, you can choose a diamond with an IGI certificate instead of a GIA or HRD certificate as they are a bit more expensive. If you are looking to lower the budget even more, you can purchase a diamond without a certificate. Keep in mind that in this case, the diamond hasn’t been officially verified.
Would you like to have a look at our inventory, which includes bluff diamonds? Our online inventory is easy to use and gives you a great overview of our stones. Read more about diamonds on our blog (link to blog page) or on our diamond education page. (link to education page)
When buying a diamond, its price is not the only thing that
you should consider. It is after all, a smart investment. And this means that
there are plenty of other factors to look at, with quality being one of them.
It’s true what they say – quality and price do go hand-in-hand.
That is why it’s so important to have your diamond carefully evaluated. After all, you want to be taking home only the best! And the GIA, the IGI and the HRD are three bodies that will help you out with that.
The GIA report
What is a GIA diamond?
To put it quite simply, a ‘GIA diamond’ is essentially a term
that diamond sellers use to refer to diamonds which have been graded by the
GIA. What is the GIA, you ask?
The GIA is the Gemological Institute of America and is quite an important body when it comes to grading diamonds. GIA is an independent entity that carries out gem research, trains gem professionals and truly raises the bar when it comes to defining diamond quality. Above all, its one key function is diamond grading.
How does GIA evaluate a diamond?
The GIA evaluates or grades its diamonds carefully. This
careful evaluation happens just for you and is based on a variety of factors.
This includes, apart from the 4 Cs, the diamond’s evaluation date, its girdle
thickness and its polish grade, to name a few. In fact, the 4 Cs system of
rating diamonds was actually first established by the GIA, back in 1953.
The GIA also maintains stringent measures when it comes to
rating diamonds on the basis of Colour and Clarity. It even holds an excellent
reputation for these ratings.
What to watch out for in a GIA report
A GIA report is usually very detailed. Here are a few things
that you should check for
yourself once you have the report in hand:
Check the issue date!
Check if it talks about the shape and cut of the stone
It should include data on the dimensions and carat weight of your diamond
Your diamond’s proportional symmetry must be mentioned
Keep an eye out for the mention of the unique report number
Look for mentions of the colour grading and clarity grading of your stone
You can also ask for a fully coloured and detailed picture of your diamond to be included in this report!
GIA Certification Styles
It is a truth universally acknowledged that the GIA sets the
benchmark for diamond certification. There are certain certification styles
that come under the GIA that you ought to know about. Two of the key ones
include the Diamond Grading Report and the Diamond Dossier.
The Diamond Grading Report
This report comes with an entire 4Cs analysis. It also offers
a clear plotted diagram on the clarity of your diamond. This report stands just
for loose, D-to-Z colour diamonds that weight 0.15 carats or more than that.
The diamond grading report
The Diamond Dossier
True to its name, this dossier is pretty comprehensive. It
comes with a complete 4Cs assessment and a GIA report number laser inscription,
which holds a great deal of value for buyers. This stands for loose, D-to-Z
colour diamonds that weight between 0.15 to 1.99 carats.
The diamond dossier
Other certification reports and styles include the Diamond
Focus Report, the Diamond Report and the Diamond Origin Report, of which the
last two are online reports.
How to read a GIA Proportion Diagram
Reading a GIA Diamond Grading Report is not as difficult as
you may think it is. Once you have the basics in place, it’s pretty easy to
understand it for yourself. In fact, it is said that if you can read a GIA
report, you can just as easily read reports from other diamond grading
entities.
Take the clarity plot diagrams, for starters. It is a pictorial representation of any marks that your diamond may have. So when you’re taking a look at these diagrams, here’s what you should watch out for.
The clarity plot diagram
Remember that external blemishes are always marked in green while internal inclusions are always marked in red. The report will also feature a proportions diagram of your gem stone. If you’re looking at analyzing your diamond based on factors such as its girdle thickness or its depth percentage, this diagram is for you. Its proportions will be listed right beside the diagram in percentage signs or in degrees, so look closely.
The proportions diagram
In such diagram, the indication of a culet and the diamond’s
girdle thickness are also showcased. But if your diamond is of a more modern
and brilliant cut, a culet is generally omitted, as the presence of a large
culet will tend to cause the appearance of your stone to take away from its
general appeal.
GIA vs IGI
More often that not, the GIA is considered to be the gold
standard of diamond grading. Apart from grading precious stones and providing
certification for them, the GIA is involved in educational services, too. But
of course, there are other labs that grade diamonds as well.
The IGI, for instance. Known as the International Gemological
Institute, it is the second best grading lab in the world, after the GIA. A
large chunk of diamonds in the market today are graded by the IGI. It is also
said that when it comes to pricing, the IGI is about 12% cheaper than the GIA.
According to several case studies, the IGI is also stricter than the GIA when
it comes to colour grading.
GIA vs HRD
It cannot be reiterated enough that the GIA is viewed as the
most reputable grading lab in the world, following the strictest standards. But
the Hoge Raad voor Diamant (HRD) or Diamond High Council is almost as popular
as the GIA.
The HRD is considered to be 95% as strict as the GIA in the
grading of stones. Largely, the GIA is actually the strictest in terms of
colour grades. The HRD is the one lab that most closely adheres to the GIA’s
stringent standards.
The GIA also offers a
separate grading for both polish and symmetry which the HRD combines under one
sole heading titled “finish.” The HRD also includes a clarity grade
called as “Loupe Clean”. This category isn’t offered by the GIA.
Uniglo Diamonds offer GIA, IGI and HRD Certified Diamonds.
