Diamond quality criteria

Choosing a diamond means understanding how light behaves within the stone. Its beauty does not depend on a single factor, but on the balance between four main criteria: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.

The color refers to the transparency and the more or less colorless appearance of the diamond. The clarity refers to the small natural marks that the stone may contain. The cut determines how it captures and returns light. And the carat weight measures the diamond's weight, but it does not always explain its presence or its value by itself.

At Joiers Borràs, we select each diamond with careful consideration, seeking a balanced combination of beauty, brilliance, and quality. We guide you so you can understand what you are choosing and find the stone that best fits the jewel, the occasion, and the person.

Color 

When we talk about a diamond's color, we often refer, in reality, to its absence of color. The most prized diamonds are those that have a clear, clean, and almost colorless appearance.

Although color differences can be very subtle, they play an important role in the quality, beauty, and value of the stone. A slight yellowish, grayish, or brownish hue can modify its visual perception and also its price.

Therefore, color should not be judged by mere sight or personal impression. It must be observed with discernment, under appropriate conditions, and compared with established reference scales.

In jewelry, the color of diamonds is usually classified on a scale ranging from D to Z. D corresponds to colorless diamonds, the whitest and most valued, while as we move towards Z, more visible hues appear.

At Joiers Borràs, we select diamonds with a clear and luminous appearance, so that each stone has a pure, elegant, and balanced presence.

Clarity 

Every diamond is unique. During its formation, under extreme conditions of heat and pressure deep within the Earth, small internal or external marks can appear that are part of its nature.

These marks are called inclusions when they are inside the diamond, and blemishes or surface marks when they are external. In many cases, they are so small that they can only be observed with magnification.

A diamond's clarity is judged by the size, number, position, and visibility of these marks. The less visible they are, the cleaner the diamond's visual perception, and the higher its classification can be.

Therefore, clarity should not be judged by mere sight. The diamond must be observed with discernment, experience, and the appropriate tools to understand to what extent these small marks can influence its beauty and value.

At Joiers Borràs, we select diamonds with a clean and balanced appearance, so that any possible inclusions do not interfere with the light, beauty, or elegance of the stone.

 

Cut

A diamond's cut is a matter of craftsmanship, precision, and sensitivity. It refers not only to its external shape but to the way the stone has been designed, proportioned, and polished to display all its beauty.

When we talk about cut, we talk about proportions, facets, symmetry, and polish. All these elements determine how the diamond captures, reflects, and transforms light, and directly influence its brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

Brilliance is the diamond's ability to return white light. Fire is the dispersion of light into small colored reflections. Scintillation is the sparkle that appears when the stone moves.

In a round brilliant cut diamond, each facet follows a very precise structure. The quality of the cut depends on the balance between design, proportions, and execution. A well-executed cut can make a diamond appear more vibrant, more intense, and fuller of character.

Therefore, the cut is one of the most important criteria when evaluating a diamond. Beyond weight, color, or clarity, it is the cut that determines much of its visual presence and appeal.

At Joiers Borràs, we select diamonds that are well-proportioned, carefully polished, and have an excellent response to light. For certified diamonds, we particularly value those that achieve a Triple Excellent rating, a nomenclature used in gemological certificates to indicate excellence in cut, polish, and symmetry.

Carat Weight 

The carat is the unit we use to measure a diamond's weight, not its size. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. It is a very small but very precise measurement that allows the weight of each stone to be expressed with accuracy.

Weight has a significant influence on a diamond's value, but it doesn't tell the whole story. Two stones of the same weight can have a very different visual presence depending on their cut, color, and clarity.

Therefore, more carats do not always mean more beauty. A smaller diamond, but well-cut, clean, and balanced, can be more attractive than a larger stone with less careful proportions.

Carat weight should always be evaluated within the overall context. It is the balance between weight, cut, color, and clarity that gives personality, beauty, and value to each diamond.

At Joiers Borràs, we help you look beyond size and choose the diamond that best fits the jewel, the budget, and the moment you want to celebrate.