TRENDING ENGAGEMENT RINGS

The Claire
The Claire
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The Ariel

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GIFT GUIDE
SCHEDULE A DESIGN SESSION
ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Round Diamond Stud Earrings

Round Diamond Stud Earrings

$425.00

The Ariel

The Ariel

$2,000.00

Luxe Diamond Huggie Earrings (1/2 ct. tw.)

Luxe Diamond Huggie Earrings (1/2 ct. tw.)

$1,100.00

The Kelsey

The Kelsey

$2,500.00

LEARN ABOUT DIAMOND GRADING

Diamond Education

WHERE ARE OUR DIAMONDS GRADED

Diamond Grading

The Lab Grown Diamonds we sell are graded by an independent, third-party laboratory called the International Gemological Institute or IGI for short. IGI is the most commonly used laboratory for grading lab-grown diamonds and it is who we use to make sure you are secure in your purchase. When you buy a certified diamond, you can feel confident knowing exactly what you are purchasing.

For an example of an IGI certificate click here.

There are 4 main factors in grading a diamond, the Cut, the Color, the Clarity, and the Carat Weight.

THE MOST IMPORTANT C

Cut

Contrary to many people’s belief, the Cut grade (Also called the Wow-Factor) is actually the most important of the 4 C’s to most consumers. The Cut grade comes from many factors such as symmetry, polish, proportions, and size and position of facets. A smaller diamond that is cut optimally (Excellent or Ideal Cut) will sparkle much better and many times will look larger than a larger diamond that is cut sub-optimally (Poor, Fair, or Good Cut). The consistency and balance of all of these factors can greatly affect how the stone reflects light back to the eye.

WHAT MAKES AN EXCELLENT CUT DIAMOND

Cut Characteristics

Polish

Polish is the quality of a diamond's external surface condition as a result of the polishing process. Various features, such as pits or nicks, are considered in evaluating polish. It is graded on a scale ranging from Ideal or Excellent to Poor and is generally listed on a diamond certificate.

Symmetry

Symmetry is the exactness of a diamond's external shape and the even arrangement of its facets. Therefore, it can be divided into two categories: proportion-related (external) and facet-related (internal). It is also graded on a scale ranging from Ideal or Excellent to Poor and is generally listed on a diamond certificate.

Proportion

A diamond's proportion is measured by its crown and pavilion angles and the overall measurements of its facets. As facets are like tiny mirrors, their proportion can be a crucial contributor to the overall face-up appearance of a diamond. Proportion can also help professionals understand how well a diamond will produce sparkle.

Brilliance

Brilliance, sometimes referred to as brightness, is the internal and external white light that reflects from a diamond. Each time light enters a diamond, its internal facets send it off in different directions, depending on the angle and tilt of the facets. Masterfully cut diamonds demonstrate superb brilliance because they bounce light off multiple facet surfaces.

WHAT CUT DIAMONDS DOES MAKEAUX SELL

Cut Grades

We will never sell a lab grown diamond that is not graded Excellent or Ideal.

DIAMOND COLOR SCALE

Color

Diamond color refers not to the presence of color within a diamond but to the absence or lack of it. As one of the 4 C's used to describe and determine diamond quality, it is an important factor in a diamond's appearance and value. A technically perfect diamond, like a drop of pure water, is colorless, while others may contain a slight yellowish tint or a fancy color, such as pink or blue.

IMPORTANCE OF DIAMOND COLOR

The Right Color

Color can be a very important factor when picking your perfect diamond. Not only does the quality of color grading affect a diamond's price, but it can also significantly affect its appearance. Though icy, colorless diamonds are traditionally the most coveted, contemporary couples often opt for a diamond with a warmer tint, as it can display a unique and timeless look.  

SETTING

Metal and Diamond Color Factor

The metal type of your setting can significantly impact the color presentation of your diamond. For example, D, E, and F (colorless) diamonds are best set in white gold or platinum as the silver tint of the setting helps the stone show off its icy white hue. Stones with a faint color look stunning in gold or rose settings, as they can help calm any brownish-yellow tint of the diamond.

DIAMOND CLARITY SCALE

Clarity

Clarity is the absence of internal inclusions and surface blemishes on a diamond. It's one of the four factors that describe and determine a diamond's quality and value.

INCLUSIONS & BLEMISHES

The Inclusion Scale

Flawless (FL)

  • No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification when viewed face up. Less than 1% of all diamonds are FL clarity, as it is nearly impossible to find a diamond that is completely inclusion and blemish-free.   
  • Flawless diamonds are eye clean.

Internally Flawless (IF)

  • No inclusions are visible under 10x magnification. Some small surface blemishes may be present under a microscope.   
  • Internally Flawless diamonds are eye clean.

Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)

  • Inclusions are characterized as minute and are so slight that they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.  
  • VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds are eye clean.

Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)

  • Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification but can be characterized as minor.    
  • VS1 and VS2 diamonds are generally eye clean.

Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)

  • Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification.    
  • Some SI1 and SI2 diamonds may have inclusions that are detectable to the unaided, untrained eye, while others do not. 

Included (I1, I2, and I3)

  • Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification, which may affect transparency and brilliance.   
  • Brilliant Earth does not carry Included grade diamonds as their imperfections are generally visible to the unaided, untrained eye.

EYE CLEAN

The Eye Clean Diamond

Choosing the perfect diamond requires balancing the 4 C's with your preferences and budget. When considering clarity: 

  1. Prioritize an Eye-Clean Look: Focus on eye-clean appearance rather than technical grade. While Flawless is the highest grade, consider starting with VS1 or VS2 diamonds, which often appear eye-clean at significantly lower costs than higher grades.
  2. Match Size to Clarity: Larger diamonds require higher clarity grades since inclusions become more visible with size. Balance your budget between size and clarity based on your priorities. 
  3. Consider Cut Style: If you're hoping to purchase a diamond with rectangular or step-cut facets, such as an asscher or emerald shape, you'll benefit from a higher clarity grade, as these cuts emphasize transparency and allow you to see deeper into the diamond. 
  4. Examine in Person: Schedule an appointment to view diamonds in person when possible, as inclusions appear differently than in photos or videos. 
  5. Check Inclusion Placement: Consider inclusion location, as settings can hide certain imperfections.
  6. Factor in Shape: Oval, cushion, radiant, marquise, and pear-shaped diamonds hide clarity flaws better than others due to their brilliant faceting.

CARAT DEFINITION

Carat

While many confuse carat as a measurement of physical size, it is actually a measurement of weight used to describe diamonds and other gemstones. One carat equals 0.2 grams, about the same weight as a paperclip. 

To understand what diamond carat measures, it’s helpful to know the origins of the carat system. It began with carob seeds that early gem traders used as small, uniform counterweights to their balance scales. At that time, gemstone measurement varied internationally; there was no standard. It wasn’t until 1913 that the world adopted the modern metric carat. Now, a carat weighs the same in every corner of the globe.

SIZE AND CARAT WEIGHT

Are Diamond Carat and Diamond Size the Same Thing?

No, diamond carat and diamond size are not the same thing. Carat is a metric unit that measures weight — not size. Equating the two may seem logical — but it isn’t. It’s best not to use carat weight alone to estimate a diamond’s size. 

For example, different gemstones have different densities (mass per unit of volume), meaning that two gems with the same carat weight may exhibit very different sizes. The cut of a gemstone can also affect its carat weight. If a round diamond is poorly cut, it may be too deep or have an extra thick girdle. If excess weight is hidden around the girdle, it won’t display once set, which means that a 1.20-carat diamond with a ‘hidden’ weight may look the same size as a 1-carat diamond. So, a customer might pay for the added weight with no visual benefit.

TCW

What Does TCW Mean?

TCW is an abbreviation for ‘Carat Total Weight.’ TCW references the combined weight of all diamonds within a piece (or pair) of jewelry where more than one diamond is used. Diamond stud earrings, for example, are typically quoted in TCW, which indicates the combined weight of both earrings within the pair.