The following four factors will assist and guide you through relevant price influences:
Carat (weight) ; Colour; Clarity and quality of the Cut (Shape). The four mentioned factors must always be kept in mind.

Carat (weight)
The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. This word originates from the Carob Tree found in the east. The seeds of this tree were used as a measuring tool for weighting items. There is 140carats per ounce. The decimal smaller than a carat is point of a carat. There is 100 points per carat being 1carat, 75 points being 3/4 carat, 50 points being 1/2 carat and 25 points being a 1/4 carat. Even diamonds from 1 point are being used in jewellery. Seldom diamonds are cut to even or exact decimals. (e.g. 0.200ct). Take into consideration that one 2carat diamond is more valuable than two 1carat diamonds of the same quality.

Colour
Diamonds come in array of beautiful colours. The famous Hope-Diamond is blue, Dresden, one of the well known crown jewels is once again apple green. Although most diamonds seems white in colour, they tend to have a tint of yellow, gold or brown. The tint of other colouring may be so discrete that only a diamond specialist can see it clearly. Yet this tint does not take the brilliance away from the diamond. Crystal white diamonds are known to be blue white in colour easily mistaken, yet correctly blue white in colour are rare and very expensive. All diamonds despite of the colour are infact valuable. The correct cut of a diamond affects the colour spectrum with the array of light diffusion. Hereby affected by the surrounding colours around the diamond (environment).

Clarity
A diamond is naturally formed with imperfections and inclusions thereby appearing rough when born. While such internal imperfections and inclusions do not really affect the penetration of light through the diamond it will however degrade the value or the worth of the diamond. A diamond is classified "pure and clean" when no inclusions can be seen with a size 10 enlargement magnifier (loop).

Cut
Whatever the colour and clarity be only a diamond specialist can tell a diamonds true potential. All tiny facets must be symmetrically proportioned by the worlds hardest dust (diamond powder) and each angle may not be cut more that 1/2 a degree out. Diamond cutters are highly skilled in this profession. It is their job alone to give a diamond its true brilliance.

DIA Diamond Certification:
All grading is done to International standards by some of the most experienced grading staff in South Africa, enabling you to buy or sell with confidence. Diamond Certificates will be provided to you with these above mentioned four important qualities by Willie Els Jewel Exchange.