If there is one investment that stands the test of time, it’s diamonds. As the saying goes: diamonds are forever, but your choice in diamonds does make a big difference.

Today, there are various types of diamonds sold on the market, and choosing the right one defines the type of statement you’re looking to make.

Learn more about different diamond types, how they’re classified, and what to look for when diamond shopping in this blog.

Do you want to sell your diamonds? Easy ways of monetizing your diamond jewelry for liquidity from here.

Types of Diamonds and Their Technical Classifications

Naturally-occurring diamonds are actually one of the most chemically simple objects found beneath the earth’s surface. They are made from carbon during a very slow geological process that spans hundreds of years.

Scientifically, all diamonds comprise the same elements. But when it comes to classification, diamonds vary on a grand spectrum. In the diamond industry today, types of diamonds are usually classified by their physical and chemical characteristics, known as the four C’s: color, clarity, carat, and cut. Learn more about high-end quality diamonds by these designers.

In terms of technical classification, the most common diamond types include: Here are the things to consider before buying a diamond.

Ia Diamonds

These are the most commonly found and sold variation of diamond.

They are characterized by their yellow tinge due to clusters of nitrogen aggregates, which occur in groups of three, within the stone. The nitrogen aggregates absorb light, which is then reflected as a yellow color within the diamond.

Type IIa Diamonds

These types of diamonds are classified by their unique shape and have no nitrogen impurities, but fluorescent properties instead. Their unique shape is caused by the huge amounts of pressure these diamonds form under. This makes them very rare and highly valuable because of their characteristic sparkle.

Type Ib Diamonds

Type Ib diamonds are also fairly rare due to one key feature. They are characterized by scattered nitrogen atoms throughout the stone, producing an intense orange, brown, or yellow tinge.

Type IIb Diamonds

This variation of diamond does not contain nitrogen atoms but does contain elements of boron. These diamonds are also fairly rare and have a characteristic blue or gray tinge to them.

These are the simplified classifications of diamonds, but it’s important to note that diamonds may fall under more than one classification due to their individual characteristics. This means that no diamond is ever the same.

Diamond Types and Their Consumer Classification

If you’re an everyday shopper looking to make a diamond purchase, it’s also wise to understand the consumer classification of different diamond types. This way you know what you’re looking at and can gauge the best value-for-money.

Some of the common ”shopper” names of diamonds include:

• Manmade diamonds — created in a laboratory with high-end technology, they are generally far more affordable than naturally-occurring diamonds, but not as rare
• Natural diamonds — as the name suggests, these diamonds are mined, are mostly colorless, and have a characteristic bright sparkle to them
• Natural-colored diamonds — these diamonds come in all types of colors including yellow, brown, pink, white, black, purple, green, and red. They are in high-demand and are far more expensive
• Treated diamonds — these are natural diamonds, but they have been artificially enhanced to bring out their shape, color, and sparkle. They are also far more affordable than natural diamonds

As a casual diamond shopper, you also want to consider the four c’s when choosing the type of diamond and the price tag. Here’s a brief overview of these important diamond characteristics:

1. Color

This is one of the first characteristics most people notice when looking at a diamond. Ultimately, the color of the diamond you choose boils down to your personal taste and budget.

As mentioned above, color plays a big role in the pricing of a diamond due to its rarity. The price can also be affected by whether the diamond has been color-treated or not.

Get the guide to natural diamond colors from here.

2. Clarity

When referring to the clarity of a diamond, the term VVS is often used, so listen out for this term when diamond shopping. The clarity of a diamond is defined by the number of flaws within it, i.e. nitrogen or boron impurities. As well as the visibility of these flaws and how obvious they look.

They may not be obvious to the naked eye, but diamonds are closely assessed with specific equipment for these types of classifications. Clarity plays a big role in determining the overall quality of a diamond, and the eventual price tag.

3. Carat

In layman’s terms, this refers to the actual weight of a diamond. Most people assume that carat refers to the actual size of a diamond, but it’s more about what it weighs.

The two may be related, but the size of a diamond is not always equal to its worth, because of other classification factors. Generally speaking, the larger the diamond, the greater its value.

4. Cut

The cut of a diamond is another important factor to consider as this is what makes it unique. These visible features include the proportions of the diamond, symmetry, polish, and finish.

All of these characteristics impact how much a diamond sparkles, especially the finish. If too much light escapes the diamond, this may leave it looking lackluster and dull. The cut of a diamond is determined during the manufacturing process, even if a diamond is natural.

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What’s so incredible about the different types of diamonds on the market is that every single one of them is unique. No two diamonds are the same, even if they are manmade. This means that your purchase is always going to hold high value and be worth the investment.

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