Q & A
What is a Diamond?
A diamond is formed from naturally occurring carbon, crystallised at extremely high temperatures and pressure. In nature, diamonds were formed approximately 200 kilometres below the earth’s surface, approximately 3500 million years ago, just after the formation of the earth. Diamonds, by far, are the hardest of all known natural substances.
What is a Quasar diamond and what guarantee does it come with?
Quasar Diamonds is a New Zealand owned company and a leading supplier of diamonds to jewellers throughout New Zealand and Australia for over 40 years. Our diamonds come with a Quasar diamond report, specifying up to 15 different parameters including the 4Cs of Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat. Quasar diamonds have a minimum cut grade of ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’, displaying maximum brilliance. All Quasar diamonds are hand selected and come with an ethical guarantee of both sustainability and exceptional quality.
How can my diamond be identified and are Quasar Diamonds conflict free?
All of our diamonds come with our own Quasar Certification Report, measuring up to 15 different parameters. Because no two diamonds are alike, these parameters can be used to identify your diamond through its individual characteristics. All of our diamonds are conflict-free, traded ethically, in compliance with UN resolutions.
What is a diamond ‘cut grade’ and how do brightness, fire and sparkle affect this?
The ‘cut grade’ of a diamond measures its individual proportions, which combined, achieves each diamond’s beauty. We use GIA Facetware to estimate a round diamond’s cut grade. Brightness is where white light can be seen when viewing a diamond. Fire is when white light is dispersed into the spectral ‘rainbow’ colours. Sparkle, or scintillation, are the sparkling flashes that come from the facets of the diamond when it is tilted. All Quasar diamonds have ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’ cut grades which means they display more brightness, fire and sparkle.
Why is there no international cut grade standard for fancy shape (non round diamonds)?
At the present time there are no universally accepted cut standards for fancy cut diamonds. Quasar fancy cut diamonds are bought for their high standard of cut. Quasar allocates cut grades using SARIN LASER and visual imaging.
How do proportions, symmetry and polish affect the cut grade of a diamond?
Proportions are by far the most important factor responsible for a diamond’s beauty and cut grade. The proportions refers to a diamond’s dimensions, facet angles and the relationships between them. Symmetry refers to the exactness of a diamond’s outline, as well as the placement and how identical each facet type is to other facets of the same type. Polish refers to the overall smoothness of a diamond’s surface. Symmetry and polish combined are referred to as the ‘finish’.
What is fluorescence and what impact does it have on the appearance of a diamond?
Some diamonds emit light, or fluorescence, when exposed to UV radiation. The light lasts as long as the diamond is exposed to the UV radiation. Fluorescence is measured as nil, faint, medium, strong or very strong. Nil to medium fluorescence has no noticeable negative effect on the appearance of a diamond. In some instances strong or very strong fluorescence will impact negatively on a diamond’s appearance by making it appear oily or milky.
What are Hearts and Arrows diamonds and do they receive a better cut grade?
Hearts and Arrows refer to diamonds that have excellent symmetry when viewed through specialty equipment. Technically, ‘eight hearts’ are displayed in the face down position, and ‘eight arrows’ in the face up position. Some specialty manufacturers of Hearts and Arrows do not cut the halves, which are responsible for sparkle, deep enough into the diamond. While this saves weight and produces a Hearts and Arrows pattern, it lessens the sparkle of a diamond. At Quasar Diamonds, we believe that a high standard of cut is far more important than a pattern that can only be viewed through specialty equipment.
What do I need to know about Clarity?
Diamond clarity relates to the quality of visual appearance including internal characteristics and surface defects. Clarity can greatly impact the cost of a diamond. For example a high S12 clarity can cost 75% more than a very low S12.
What is Si3 clarity?
SI3 is a clarity grade universally accepted by most manufacturers and sellers of diamonds on the international market. It is not however recognised by the majority of gemmological labs including HRD and GIA Because SI2 encompasses such a wide range of clarity (top SI2 is substantially higher in clarity than bottom SI2) the grade SI3 was given to diamonds at the very bottom end of SI2. These diamonds sell on the international market for SI3 price, are usually graded SI2 by the HRD or GIA but will occasionally be graded I1.
Is diameter important?
The diameter of a diamond can be important but this needs to be balanced out by cut grade. The cost of a smaller diameter diamond decreases, even if it has ‘Excellent’ or ‘Very Good’ cut grades. For example, a 6.3mm 1ct round diamond may cost 20% less than a 6.4mm diamond. This is because the 6.3mm diamond may actually be 0.9ct, just with weight held on it. Our recommendation for correct round diamond diameters should be as follows:
● 2ct, 8.0mm+
● 1.5ct, 7.35mm+
● 1ct, 6.4mm+
● 0.9ct, 6.2mm+
● 0.8ct, 5.9mm+
● 0.7ct, 5.7mm+
● 0.6ct, 5.4mm+
● 0.5ct, 5.1mm+
● 0.4ct, 4.7mm+
Independent laboratory reports
Diamonds should be accompanied by a reputable supplier report (such as a Quasar diamond report) or independent report. There are many international reports such as IGL, EGL, AGS and CGL with varying standards. The HRD Antwerp and GIA (Gemological Institute Of America), are arguably the most respected international diamond grading labs.