Diamond Guide

Congratulations on your journey finding the perfect diamond for you or yours! At SAMA, we understand that selecting the right diamond is a significant decision. To empower you in making an informed choice, we have created this comprehensive diamond guide.

Grade	Description
Excellent/Ideal	Maximum sparkle and brilliance
Very Good	Great sparkle, but slightly less than ideal at a lower price point
Good	Adequate brilliance, but less lively
Fair	Noticeable loss of sparkle, not ideal for engagement rings
Poor	Minimal brilliance and often appearing dull, not suitable for engagement rings

Grade	Description
D-F	Colorless (rare and highly valuable)
G-H	Near colorless (a great balance of value and quality)
I-J	Faint color (minimal warmth, still a great choice)
K-M	Noticeable warmth, often seen in vintage or yellow gold settings

Grade	Description
Flawless (FL)	No visible inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification
Internally Flawless (IF)	No inclusions, only minor blemishes
Very, Very Slightly Included (VS1-VVS2)	Inclusions difficult to detect under magnification
Very Slightly Included (VS1-VS2)	Minor inclusions visible under 10x magnification
Slightly Included (SI1-SI2)	Inclusions may be visible to the naked eye
Included (I1-I3)	Visible inclusions that may affect brilliance

Diamond Types

Feature	Natural Diamonds	Lab-Grown Diamonds
Origin	Earth’s mantle	Lab-created process
Formation Time	Billions of years	2-12 weeks
Composition	100% carbon	100% carbon
Cost	Higher price point	More affordable
Uniqueness	One-of-a-kind	Consistently high quality
Resale Value	Higher	Lower
Ethics & Environment	Higher impact due to mining	Lower environmental impact

Feature	Natural Diamonds	Lab-Grown Diamonds
Origin	Earth’s mantle	Lab-created process
Formation Time	Billions of years	2-12 weeks
Composition	100% carbon	100% carbon
Cost	Higher price point	More affordable
Uniqueness	One-of-a-kind	Consistently high quality
Resale Value	Higher	Lower
Ethics & Environment	Higher impact due to mining	Lower environmental impact

anatomy

Note: Insert image of diamond(s)

Diamonds are often admired for their dazzling brilliance and captivating sparkle, but the magic behind their glow lies in their anatomy. A diamond’s anatomy determines its perceived size, appearance, and shine. Each facet, angle, and surface works in harmony to produce the mesmerizing light reflection that makes diamonds so irresistible. Now, let's dive into the detailed parts of a diamond’s anatomy to help you find quality stones beyond the 4C’s

What is Diamond Anatomy?

The anatomy of a diamond refers to the various parts and features that make up the diamond, each contributing to its overall appearance, brilliance, and value. Understanding diamond anatomy helps you appreciate the intricacies of a diamond and how its various parts work together to create that captivating sparkle. Whether you’re selecting a diamond for an engagement ring or a piece of fine jewelry, knowing these details will guide your choice.

Remember from the 4C’s section that the cut of the diamond has the greatest impact on its sparkle, as it controls how light interacts with the stone. A well-proportioned diamond maximizes brilliance, so pay close attention to the crown and pavilion when choosing your diamond. Symmetry and polish are also essential in ensuring the diamond reflects light perfectly from every angle.

Diamond Anatomy

Note: Insert image of diamond anatomy (similar to Keyzar with all parts labeled)

Anatomical Part	Description
Table	The flat, top surface of the diamond. It’s the largest facet and plays a key role in reflecting light and determining brilliance.
Crown	The upper portion of the diamond, located above the girdle. Crown Height: Measured from the girdle to the table Crown Angle: Formed where the girdle and bezel facets join. This angle determines how well a diamond reflects light, which directly impacts its brilliance and sparkle. A narrow pr wide crown angle can lead to light leakage.
Girdle	The widest part of the diamond, acting as the "equator" of the stone. It separates the crown from the pavilion and is often where the diamond is set in a jewelry piece. A thin to slightly thick is preferred for balance. A thick girdle can add unnecessary weight to the diamond while a girdle that is too thin is vulnerable to chipping.
Pavilion	The lower part of the diamond, beneath the girdle. It extends down to the culet. The pavilion's cut determines how light enters and exits the diamond, affecting its brilliance. Pavillion Depth: A shallow or deep pavilion can cause light to escape through the bottom or sides of the diamond. An ideal depth will maximize the diamond’s ability to reflect light, creating a sparkling, lively diamond.
Culet	The small facet at the bottom of the pavilion. A flat culet can lead to a less polished appearance and decreased brilliance. A large culet can allow light to escape through the bottom of the stone .A well-cut culet prevents chipping and enhances light performance.
	allow light to escape through the bottom of the stone .A well-cut culet prevents chipping and enhances light performance.
Facet	The flat, polished surfaces on a diamond that reflect light. The brilliant cut features 58 facets, creating maximum sparkle.
Star Facets	The small triangular facets located just below the table. They help reflect light toward the diamond’s crown and contribute to its brilliance.
Main Facets	The large, flat facets that are found on the crown and pavilion. These are the most visible facets and determine the diamond's shine.
Total Depth	The measurement from the table's surface to the culet.
Lower Half Facets	Located on the pavilion, these facets control the light that bounces off the bottom and reflects back up, contributing to the diamond’s overall fire.

Pro Tip: Cut is the most important factor in a diamond's sparkle. Our diamonds reflect and refract light in all the right ways, creating stunning fire, brilliance, and scintillation. The result? A diamond that shines with maximum sparkle.

Now that you know how every part of your diamond works together to shine, it's time to choose the right cut for your engagement ring!

Note: Insert Engagement Rings You Might like banner

Diamond Guide

All About Diamonds

Cut is all about the SPARKLE facto

What is Diamond Cut?

What is the Cutting Process?

What Affects the Cut of a Diamond?

How is Cut Graded?

How Do You Choose a Diamond Based on Cut?

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Color is all about the HUE scale

What is Color in a Diamond?

What Affects the Color of a Diamond?

How Do You Choose a Diamond Based on Color?

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Clarity is all about the PURITY measure

What is the Clarity of a Diamond?

What Affects the Clarity of a Diamond?

How is the Clarity of a Diamond Graded?

How Do You Choose a Diamond Based on Clarity?

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Carat is all about WEIGHT

What is Carat Weight?

What Affects the Carat of a Diamond?

How Do You Choose a Diamond Based on Carat Weight?

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All About Round Cut Diamonds

What is a Round Cut Diamond?

Before the Modern Round Brilliant Cut

Why Do Round Brilliant Diamonds Shine Brighter?

Why Choose a Round Cut Diamond?

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What is a Princess Cut Diamond?

History of Princess Cut Diamonds

How Do You Choose a Princess Cut Diamond?

Why Choose a Princess Cut Diamond?

What is the Emerald Cut?

History of Emerald cut Diamonds

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Why Choose an Emerald cut Diamond?

Tips for Choosing an Emerald Cut Diamond

What is an Oval Cut Diamond?

History of Oval Cut Diamonds

Why Choose an Oval Cut?

How to Choose an Oval Cut Diamond?

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What is a Pear Cut Diamond?

History of Pear Cut Diamonds

Why Choose a Pear Cut Diamond?

Tips for Choosing a Pear Cut Diamond?

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What is a Marquise Cut Diamond?

History of Marquise Cut Diamonds

Why Choose a Marquise Cut Diamond?

Tips for Choosing a Marquise Cut

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What is a Cushion Cut Diamond?

History of Cushion Cut Diamonds

Why Choose a Cushion Cut Diamond?

Tips for Choosing a Cushion Cut Diamond?

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Diamond Types

All About Natural Diamonds

What is a Natural Diamond?

Are Natural Diamonds Rare

Price and Resale Value of Natural Diamonds

Natural VS Lab-Grown Diamonds

Is Diamond Certification Important?

Why Should You Choose a Natural Diamond?

All About Lab Grown Diamonds

What are Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Real?

But what about certification?

How Can You Tell the Difference Between Lab-Grown and Natural Diamonds?

Natural VS Lab-Grown Diamonds

Price

How Are Diamonds Made?

anatomy

What is Diamond Anatomy?

Diamond Anatomy