There is cut. And then there's cut.
Many people confuse cut with the shape of a diamond. Most diamonds are cut with a full 58 facets, and a good cut, or make, has more scintillation, more sparkle.

The shape of the diamond, however, is largely a matter of personal preference and does not affect the value per se.

It is the work of a master cutter that allows the diamond to be cut in such a way as to permit the maximum amount of light to be reflected through the diamond. And that's a great reflection on you.

HOW A DIAMOND HANDLES LIGHT:
It is the cut that enables a diamond to make the best use of light.

• If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.
• If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone.

Good colour is no colour

the best colour for a diamond is no colour. Because it is a totally colourless diamond that acts as a prism, allowing light to pass effortlessly through the diamond and be transformed into rainbows of colour. To give a woman the purest white diamond is to show your true colours as well. Colour grading scale from totally colourless to light yellow. The differences between one grade and another are very subtle, as can be seen by the number of grades within any one category.







Clarity, a rarity. Diamonds, more than any other gemstone, have the capability to produce the maximum amount of brilliance. A diamond that is virtually free of interior or exterior inclusions (commonly called flaws) is of the highest quality, for nothing interferes with the passage of light through the diamond.

To determine a diamond's clarity, it is viewed under 10-power magnification by a trained eye. Minute inclusions neither mar its beauty nor endanger its durability. However, the clearer the diamond, the clearer your choice.







Bigger is Bigger (and not necessarily better) Carat Weight refers to the size of the diamond measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 "points", so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 carats. Size is the most obvious factor in determining the value of a diamond. However, two diamonds of equal size can have very unequal values, depending on their cut, colour, clarity and quality. Also, diamonds of high quality can be found in all size ranges







THE FIFTH C
Confidence in your jeweller When you are ready to choose your diamond and/or jewellery, contact MacDonald Temane. He is a diamond expert and will be happy to explain the Four C's to you. He will tell you the difference between various qualities of diamonds and how these differences affect the price. Don't expect to find any "bargains" in diamonds - quality has its price.

MacDonald Temane prizes his good reputation and will help you choose the best quality diamond and/or jewellery, because he knows you are looking for quality when you are making one of your most important purchases.

Deciding how much to spend on a quality diamond
Almost all the purchases you make for your home and yourself will depreciate in value as they're used over the years. However, your diamond is a store of value that like love can grow more precious with time. This is a very important reason for buying the best quality stone you can, regardless of size or the design of the piece of jewellery.

A good guideline on how much to spend on your engagement ring is between one and three month's salary. But it's really up to you. Diamonds are available in such a wide range of prices, you're sure to find one to suit your taste and budget.

You must remember that prices today are not the same as they were when your parents or grandparents married, so you cannot expect to pay the same price for your diamond as they did. But unlike other important purchases you make on very special occasions, such as an expensive wedding dress, a diamond will not fade in a box in the attic.