Diamonds

What is a Diamond?

A diamond is a mineral composed of crystallized carbon in a cubic or face-centered cubic structure. It is known for being the hardest natural substance on Earth and for its unique brilliance, making it highly valuable in jewelry and industrial applications. Diamonds form in the Earth's mantle at great depths under high pressure and temperature conditions and are transported to the surface by volcanic eruptions through rocks called kimberlites or lamproites.

At Millan Diamonds

Since our inception, we set out to revolutionize the diamond cutting industry to offer our customers truly dazzling diamonds. We are committed to transforming the industry forever: we know where our diamonds come from so you can feel good about the jewelry you wear.

Types of Diamonds

Natural Diamonds

Formed over billions of years in the Earth's mantle under high pressures and temperatures. They are the most valuable and desired in jewelry. Diamonds are grouped into two categories: colorless and fancy color.

Colorless Diamonds:

Classified by their color purity, ranging from "D" (completely colorless) to "Z" (yellowish or brownish tones). Diamonds graded "D-F" are the most valuable.

Fancy Color Diamonds:

Rare and exhibit colors such as yellow, blue, pink, green, red, and violet. These colors are due to impurities or distortions in their crystal structure and are highly coveted.

Synthetic Diamonds (Lab-Created):

Man-made through processes such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or high pressure and high temperature (HPHT). They are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds but more affordable.

The 4C's of Diamonds

If you're wondering what to look for in a diamond, the best starting point is understanding the 4 C's: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1940s, the 4 C's serve as a universal scale to describe and determine the quality of diamonds.

Diamond Cut

The cut determines the beauty and brilliance of a diamond. An excellent cut reflects light superiorly, while a poor cut limits its brilliance.

Adjust the cut:

Poor

Fair

Good

Very Good

Excellent

Diamond Color

The color of a diamond affects its appearance and value. Diamonds closer to colorless are more valuable, while those with visible tones tend to have a lower value.

Adjust the color:

Diamond Clarity

Clarity refers to the absence of internal inclusions and surface blemishes in a diamond. The scale ranges from internally flawless to included.

Adjust the clarity:

SI2

SI1

VS2

VS1

VVS2

VVS1

Diamond Carat Weight (ct)

The carat weight of a diamond is the measure of a diamond's weight. One "carat" is 200 milligrams.

Each carat is divided into 100 "points." This allows for very precise measurements. A jeweler may describe the weight of a diamond less than one carat only by its "points." Larger diamonds are rarer and more desirable, but their value depends on the 4 C's.

Diamond weight:

3 mm

3.8 mm

5 mm

6.4 mm

9.4 mm

Diamond Shape or Cut Type

The shape or cut type refers to the appearance of a diamond. It is distinct from the cut, which refers to the arrangement of a diamond's facets. The most commercial shape is the round brilliant, and any other shape or cut type (such as emerald, oval, princess, baguette, marquise, or heart among others) is considered a "fancy cut" or "fancy shape."

Select the shape:

Brilliant

Cushion

Princess

Heart

Marquise

Emerald

Oval

Pear

Diamond Certification

Many diamonds are certified by institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the International Gemological Institute (IGI), HRD Antwerp. To grade a diamond, trained professionals use specialized equipment to evaluate the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. They can also draw a diagram of its clarity characteristics and a graphical representation of its proportions. Certifications may also include notes on symmetry, polish, fluorescence, shape, or measurements. Certifications are important as they detail not only the quality characteristics of the gem but also its authenticity. During the certification process, most diamonds have a laser inscription with a unique number that relates to the number on their corresponding certification, meaning that with a loupe, you can always visually confirm that the diamond you have is the same one that was certified.