Le guide des 4C du diamant

Un gage de qualité international

Bijoux Swarovski Created Diamonds Consultez le guide d’achat

What Are the 4Cs of Diamonds?

Universally recognized, the 4Cs are a guiding light in the world of diamonds, helping to determine the quality and value of each stone - the 4Cs stand for color, cut, carat, and clarity. The laboratory grown diamonds in the Swarovski Created Diamonds collections are graded against these 4Cs by IGI, the International Gemological Institute. The laboratory grown diamonds in these collections are of very fine quality: G+ in color and VS+ in clarity.

laboratory grown diamond rings conceptual imagery

What is diamond clarity?

Diamond clarity is a measure of the purity of the stone graded by the visibility of two types of characteristics - inclusions and blemishes. In order to assess clarity, the diamond is inspected under 10x power magnification. The number and nature of external (blemishes), and internal characteristics (inclusions), as well as their size and position, determine the clarity grading.

Clarity Principles and Factors

The clarity of a laboratory grown diamond is judged by its flaws, which means the inclusions and blemishes that give it unique character and charm. Discover more about diamond clarity below.

LE DIAMANT LE PLUS PUR

Le plus haut degré de clarté d’un diamant est noté I.F. (sans défaut interne). Ce type de diamant est d’une extrême rareté. La plupart des diamants extraits de mines ou créés en laboratoire possèdent des inclusions.

À l’œil nu

Tous les diamants possèdent des imperfections. Ceux ayant obtenu les notes I.F. et SI 2 comportent des inclusions invisibles à l’œil nu, pouvant uniquement être détectées à la loupe.

Types d’inclusions

Les différents types d’inclusion du diamant peuvent provenir de plumes, de gaz ou de métaux. Seuls les diamants créés en laboratoire comportent des inclusions métalliques.

LA MAGIE DE LA LUMIÈRE

Les inclusions et imperfections viennent affecter le parcours de la lumière au sein du diamant.

I.F.

Sans défauts internes

VVS 1

VVS 2

Minuscules inclusions

VS 1

VS 2

Très légères inclusions

SI 1

SI 2

Légères inclusions

I 1

I 2

I 3

Inclusions

Schéma de clarté du diamant

Échelle d’évaluation de la clarté du diamant

L’échelle de clarté du diamant s’étend de la note I.F à I 3, en fonction du nombre d’inclusions et d’impuretés de chaque pierre. Les degrés de pureté des diamants sont déterminés dans des conditions d'observation standardisées à l’aide d’une loupe de grossissement 10x. I.F. signifie que le diamant ne comporte aucun défaut interne. À l’inverse, I 3 correspond aux inclusions visibles. Les diamants dépourvus de tout défaut sont rarissimes. Presque toutes les pierres, y compris les diamants créés en laboratoire, contiennent des inclusions.

La taille

La taille reflète la manière dont les facettes du diamant interagissent avec la lumière pour révéler son feu intérieur. Elle donne à chaque pierre sa personnalité, ses proportions parfaites, sa symétrie. Chaque angle taillé avec précision confère à nos diamants créés en laboratoire une brillance éclatante.

Taille : principes et facteurs

La qualité d’un diamant créé en laboratoire dépend de ses proportions, de sa symétrie et de son polissage. La qualité de la taille créera une multitude de facettes afin que la lumière circule et se reflète sous tous ses angles.

UNE BRILLANCE MAXIMALE

Un diamant aux proportions symétriques et aux facettes parfaitement alignées reflètera la lumière avec la plus grande intensité et l’éclat le plus saisissant.

DIAMOND CUT CHART

Diamond cuts are graded by the IGI on a scale of Excellent to Poor. An excellent cut requires technical mastery, artistry, and expertise.

EVERY FACET

Facet is the term used to describe each flat surface that makes up the surface of a diamond, each absorbing and dispersing the light differently.

The bEST CUT

While proportion, symmetry, and polish determine a diamond’s place on the diamond cut table, there is no best cut when it comes to a stone that sparks joy.

Incolore

D-F

Presque incolore

G-J

Légèrement teinté

K-M

Très légèrement coloré

N-R

Légèrement coloré

S-Z

Schéma et échelle de graduation de la couleur du diamant

La couleur d’un diamant s’échelonne de D pour les couleurs d’un blanc pur à Z, pour les tonalités allant du jaune au brun. Chaque lettre correspond à une teinte, les lettres D à F étant attribuées aux tonalités incolores, et celles classées de S à Z, aux nuances jaune pâle ou brun.Les collections Swarovski sont créées à partir de diamants créés en laboratoire uniquement, et seules les pierres de qualité supérieure, dont la notation est comprise entre D et G (incolore à presque incolore), sont retenues.

Couleur : principes et facteurs

Les pierres incolores sont les plus convoitées dans l’univers diamantaire, car elles sont d’une extrême rareté. Nos Swarovski Created Diamonds sont évalués en fonction d’une échelle de couleur standardisée.

DIAMANTS INCOLORES

Le diamant parfaitement incolore reste extrêmement rare. Les diamants de classe D, également désignés comme blanc glacier, sont les plus chers au monde.

LA NUANCE PARFAITE

Le plus important, lors du choix d’une pierre, n’est pas forcément de trouver un diamant de classe D. Un diamant d’un blanc plus chaud sera également du plus bel effet.

ÉVALUATION CONTROLÉE

La couleur de chaque diamant est évaluée en laboratoire sous éclairage contrôlé. La pierre est disposée face vers le bas et comparée à des échantillons de référence.

IMPURETÉS

Nos diamants créés en laboratoire ne présentent pas d’imperfections ou de défauts de couleur intentionnels. Ceux-ci proviennent certainement de grains de carbone de moins bonne qualité.

Le caratage

Un carat désigne l’unité de poids spécifiquement adaptée aux pierres précieuses dont font partie nos diamants créés en laboratoire. Un diamant pourra posséder un caratage plus élevé sans pour autant être plus volumineux. De la même façon, le calibre de deux diamants de caratages identiques pourra varier selon la profondeur de la taille. Un carat pèse un 1/5ème de gramme et se divise en centièmes.

2,5 mm

0,05 CT

3,0 mm

0,10 CT

3,8 mm

0,20 CT

4,5 mm

0,30 CT

4,8 mm

0,40 CT

5,2 mm

0,50 CT

5,8 mm

0,70 CT

6,3 mm

0,90 CT

6,5 mm

1,00 CT

6,9 mm

1,25 CT

7,4 mm

1,50 CT

7,8 mm

1,75 CT

8,2 mm

2,00 CT

8,8 mm

2,50 CT

9,4 mm

3,00 CT

Caratage

Échelle de caratage de diamants créés en laboratoire

Le mot carat fait référence à la graine de caroubier appelée caroube. Les marchands l’utilisaient déjà comme unité de mesure du diamant dans l‘antiquité. Le carat est l’unité de mesure standard internationale désignée pour mesurer le poids du diamant. Un carat est équivalent à 200 milligrammes. Un diamant de 5 carats pèsera donc un gramme. Il ne se rapporte pas à la taille d’une pierre, mais uniquement à son poids, et déterminera la valeur marchande d’un diamant.

Découvrir le diamant

L’éternelle brillance

Les bijoux Swarovski Created Diamonds signent le début d’une toute nouvelle ère fascinante. Notre savoir-faire inimitable s’étend à de nouveaux territoires multidimensionnels, nous permettant de franchir de nouvelles étapes dans la maîtrise des tailles et de la lumière.

Discover Swarovski Created Diamonds

man made diamonds impressionistic imagery

All About Swarovski Created Diamonds

Laboratory Grown Diamonds

Discover the world of Swarovski Created Diamonds jewelry, redefining the future of diamonds with exceptional collections that bridge the gap between tradition and current trends. From the otherworldly brilliance of our interstellar collection to the pure elegance of our signature pieces, find a style that will last a lifetime.

Laboratory Grown Diamonds Buying Guide

Find the perfect piece

A natural progression of our brand DNA, Swarovski Created Diamonds jewelry are laboratory grown diamonds, masterfully cut, intensely bright, and identical to their mined counterparts in every way but origin. Formed layer by layer from a carbon seed, they serve as a flawless reflection of nature’s radiance.

Read our Laboratory Grown Diamonds Buying Guide

What are Laboratory Grown Diamonds?

Laboratory Grown Diamonds explained

Find out more about diamonds that are grown in a laboratory, and how the process of replicating the way diamonds are formed in the earth is achieved. Discover the different cuts of diamonds in the Swarovski Created Diamond Collections, as well as the inspiration behind the designs.

What are Laboratory Grown Diamonds?

Frequently asked questions

Diamond 4Cs FAQs

What are the 4Cs?

Every diamond varies slightly from the next and has its own individual distinguishing characteristics. Laboratory grown diamonds are 100% diamonds, and just like mined diamonds our laboratory grown diamonds are evaluated according to the 4Cs of diamond grading. The 4Cs are color, clarity, cut and carat weight, and they are the globally accepted standards used to assess the quality of diamonds.

Is diamond clarity important?

The higher the clarity grading, the less inclusions or blemishes a diamond has, making it a higher-value diamond than one with a lower grading.

What is the highest diamond clarity?

Diamond clarity is a measure of the purity of the stone graded by the visibility of two types of characteristics - inclusions and blemishes.
In order to assess clarity, the diamond is inspected under 10x power magnification. The number and nature of external (blemishes), and internal characteristics (inclusions), as well as their size and position, determine the grade.
Gemologists grade diamonds from Internally Flawless (IF) as the highest quality to Included (I3).

Are laboratory grown diamonds flawless?

No, nearly all diamonds (mined or laboratory grown) have inclusions. Metallic inclusions can occur in laboratory grown diamonds. If an expert spots a trace of metal in a diamond, they can assume it is laboratory grown. While laboratory grown diamonds with defects do exist, Swarovski only uses high quality laboratory grown diamonds certified by the International Gemological Institute (IGI) according to the 4Cs to ensure that only the finest quality diamonds join the Swarovski Created Diamond collections.

Do laboratory grown diamonds get cloudy?

No, laboratory-grown diamonds do not get cloudy over time. They are 100% identical to diamonds with the same physical and chemical properties, and should not degrade or change appearance over time. Where poor quality diamond seeds have been used, some laboratory-grown diamonds contain obvious defects, such as color tinges from impurities in the diamond or crystal structure imperfections. The laboratory grown diamonds processed in Swarovski Created Diamonds jewelry are a very high quality standard and do not have unnatural, problematic characteristics.

How are laboratory grown diamonds certified and graded?

The laboratory grown diamonds processed in Swarovski Created Diamonds jewelry are hand-selected and examined by experienced gemologists to ensure they fulfill our high quality standards. Every piece of jewelry in the Galaxy and Eternity collections is accompanied with a digital laboratory report from the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

What are diamond facets?

Diamond facets refer to each flat surface that creates the shape of a diamond. Every diamond possesses multiple facets that enable it to absorb and reflect light.

How is diamond cut quality determined?

We often think of a diamond’s cut as shape (round, heart, oval, marquise, pear), but what diamond cut actually does mean is how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. The cut of a diamond is the measure of the quality of the shape, geometry and finish of the diamond. Round brilliant diamonds receive a formal cut grade on a scale from Ideal (the best) to Poor. Swarovski is uncompromising on cut quality to ensure all of our laboratory grown diamonds have optimal light performance and sparkle.

What is the best diamond cut?

Cut refers to how a diamond’s facets interact with light to reveal its internal fire. It is the cut that gives each diamond its personality, and perfecting laboratory grown diamonds proportions, symmetry, and precision-cut angles of Swarovski Created Diamonds gives them their brilliant shine. The best cut has a balance between the width and depth to create symmetry, neither to shallow nor to deep. Creating the perfect refraction point for light through the diamond, reflecting it within the diamond and highlighting its polished brightness.

How is a diamond’s color determined?

Color refers to the natural tint inherent in white diamonds. The industry standard for grading color is to evaluate each diamond against a master set then assign a letter grade from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow).
The closer the diamond is to being colorless, the higher its quality.

Do laboratory created diamonds have blemishes?

Where poor quality diamond seeds have been used, some laboratory-grown diamonds contain obvious defects, such as color tinges from impurities or structural imperfections. Swarovski does not sell laboratory grown diamonds with unnatural, problematic characteristics.

What is diamond carat weight?

A carat is a unit of weight used specifically to measure precious stones including laboratory grown diamonds. A diamond may have a higher carat weight without appearing larger, and two diamonds of the same carat weight can vary in size if one is cut deeper than the other. One carat weighs 1/5 of a gram and is divided into 100 points.

What is the carat weight of a diamond, how is it measured and how important is it?

Carat weight it the standard weight unit for diamonds, and the first step in the grading process. Diamond carat weight is the measurement of how much the diamond weighs. Each carat can be subdivided into 100 “points.” This allows precise measurements to the hundredth decimal place. The weight of a diamond smaller than one carat may be described by its “points” alone. The larger the diamond is, the more carats it will be, but only you can decide how important that is to you.

Is it better to have a higher carat diamond?

This is an entirely personal question. If you are looking for a larger diamond, you should look for a higher carat, as this indicates the weight and therefore the size of the diamond.