How to care for your diamonds:
Treat your diamonds well, and they will last for generations. Our care guide comprises of simple steps in order to keep the brilliance and shine of your jewelry.
Regularly clean your jewelry items using a soft bristle brush, soap and warm water. Brush gentle as not to scratch the diamonds and be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly once complete. At KTD we also offer a cleaning service should you require intensive cleaning to have your piece shine like new!
As diamonds are precious, they must be treated delicately. Knocking or dropping your stone can easily damage it, we highly recommend storing your jewelry in a box or pouch to prevent any scratches or unwanted impact. This is especially crucial when travelling with your jewelry.
Avoid wearing your diamonds when swimming or showering, any contact with liquids should be avoided including perfumes, lotions or other harsh chemicals. It is recommended not to expose your diamonds to extreme weather conditions, including humidity, heat and overexposure to then sun.
It is paramount to avoid wearing any diamond jewelry when participating in high impact activities such as running, skiing or rock climbing. As diamonds are prone to damage, it is best not to expose them to such activities.
Questions & Contact Information
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of our diamond and jewelry consultants at info@kristinatrudiamonds.com
How To Choose Your Diamond
Choosing the perfect diamond can be a daunting task when you don’t have all the information. There are a number of things to consider, including the 4C’s: carat, colour, clarity and cut, but also fluorescence and shape. Our simple guide below will take you through the main facets you should consider, but first, we recommend you watch GIA’s 10-minute video to help you understand the nature of diamond grading and classifications.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wtz0V-XlwzQ
Carat
A carat refers to the weight of the diamond, with larger diamonds being far rarer than smaller diamonds. Naturally, a bigger carat diamond holds more value. A diamond’s weight heavily determines a diamond’s worth, but bigger is not always better – a diamond with real lasting value has a balance of all the criteria below.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=6nDIy5y_7pc
Colour
Naturally formed diamonds can be placed into two categories: fancy coloured diamonds and colourless white diamonds. The majority of diamonds do contain some subtle tinges of yellow or brown, which can affect the diamond’s value, the less colour present, the higher the colour grade. When choosing your diamond, you should consider your goals, whether it’s for adornment or as an investment. We recommend watching GIA’s video below for more information.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKm8TXTtN4w
Clarity
Diamonds are formed under extreme heat and pressure under the earth’s surface – that’s why it’s incredibly rare not to find any traces of this naturally occurring process. Referred to as inclusions, these are natural markings or blemishes within the stone. Inclusions can be minuscule and may not be readily visible to the naked eye, but they do play a part in the diamond’s clarity and therefore its value. Inclusions may affect a diamonds shine, sparkling effect, and can change their value for investment.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJioSelJOko
Cut
The cut of a diamond refers to its arrangement of facades, its proportional relationships and overall finish. All these factors affect the way the stone takes in light and how it comes to shine. Regardless of its shape, a properly cut diamond will radiant with immense power, making it all the more appealing and valuable.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb0DKoRBiSc
Fluorescence
Beyond the 4Cs, there’s one key factor that affects a diamond’s beauty – its fluorescence. This defining quality can make diamonds appear a different colour when exposed to intense ultraviolet light. In most cases, moderate, strong and very strong fluorescence can bring the diamonds value down as their tinged colour and corresponding shine is considered less desirable. When purchasing a diamond, it’s important to explore different examples of fluorescence to understand which is best suited to your tastes.
Shape
When mined from the earth’s surface, diamonds are found in a myriad of shapes and sizes. It is the cutters and manufacturers that study diamonds in their rough form to determine what cut and angles should be used to get the most of the diamonds natural beauty. Many different standardised shapes have become popularised, but with laser technology advancements, diamonds can now be custom cut into desired shapes and sizes. Below are some of the most popular shapes available today.
Round Cut | Round cuts diamonds are the most popular to date. Highly studied, diamond cutters have been utilising advanced theories of light behaviour and exact mathematical calculations to optimise the fire and brilliance found in round diamonds. Round diamonds can offer more flexibility in terms of balancing cut, colour, and clarity grades while maintaining the desired level of shine. Round cut diamonds are prized as very little of the rock is lost when cutting it. Round cut diamonds produce less waste than any other shapes commercially cut today. When it comes to engagements, the round cut diamonds are choice above all other cuts because their 57 or 58 facets round brilliant diamonds offer the highest level of shine compared to other fancy cut diamonds. This is why many investors often choose to invest in round brilliant cut diamonds instead of any other shaped diamonds. |
 Princess Cut | Princess cut diamonds are traditionally square and feature pointed corners; however, this can be tailored to your liking and become more rectangular in shape. To find a dimension fitting for you Also, princess-cut diamonds can vary significantly in how square or rectangular they are. The ideal princess cut has a length-to-width ratio of 1 and 1.05. If you prefer a more rectangular princess cut diamond, the length-to-width ratio can be larger than 1.10. The length to width ratio can be calculated by dividing the length by the width. |
 Emerald Cut | Emerald cut diamonds feature a unique optical appearance with their rectangular facets which can highlight the clarity of the stone. Emerald cuts can vary, with some looking more square and other more rectangular. Should you prefer a square look instead, we recommend considering an asscher-cut diamond instead. For the classic emerald-cut shape, you’ll want a length-to-width ratio of something between 1.30 and 1.40. |
 Asscher cut | Asscher cut diamonds are often mistaken for emerald cut, they are near identical however an asscher cut takes on a square shape. A diamond with high clarity is preferable when it comes to asscher cut diamonds as the open table can highlight minor inclusions within the stone. |
 Marquise Cut | Marquise diamonds are favoured for their ability to elongate the look of your fingers when set, giving a more slender appearance. The original shape of the marquise can give the illusion of a larger diamond, maximise its carats. Whether as a stand-alone piece or paired with side stones, the marquise diamond is an elegant cut. The ideal length-to-width ratio of a marquise diamond is between 1.75 and 2.25. |
 Oval Cut | Oval shaped diamonds closely resemblance round cut diamonds however take on a longer shape. They have been popularised as they guarantee plenty of shine as well as visually elongating fingers when fashioned as rings. Typically, the length-to-width ratio of oval cut diamonds is between 1.33 and 1.66. |
 Radiant Cut | Radiant cut diamonds are similar to emerald cut diamonds; however, they feature trimmed corners and brilliant cut pavilions that set them apart. This cut is ideal for those who appreciate the shape of an emerald cut but want to maximise on sparkle and brilliance, much like a round diamond. Ever popular, the radiant-cut diamond varies in their degree of rectangularity. |
 Pear Cut (Teardrop shape) | Pear shaped diamonds are choice when it comes to earrings or pendants, their shape naturally makes the wearer take on a slimmer quality. They can sometimes be referred to as teardrops diamonds as they feature a round end and a single point. |
 Heart Cut | Intrinsically romantic, the heart-shaped diamond is another top choice for couples and engagements. It is no easy task to cut these diamonds into such a unique shape and therefore it is near impossible to have two hearts perfectly matched. A well-cut heart diamond is a rare find and is not always available at a moments notice. Traditionally cut heart shaped diamond have a length-to-width ratio of 0.90 and 1.10. |
 Cushion Cut | Cushion cut diamonds, also referred to has pillow-cut diamonds feature rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. Available in both square or rectangular, both are popular cuts to adorn yourself with. The optimal length-to-width ratio for cut cushion diamonds is between 1 and 1.05, however for a more rectangular cushion cut diamond, the length-to-width ratio can be larger or equal to 1.15. |
 Trilliant Cut | Trilliant cut diamonds are triangular cut diamonds that make exceptional centrepieces; however they are also used as side stones on rings. Trilliant cuts are usually thinly cut, allowing a large and more impressive appearance for its weight. |
How to read a GIA report
GIA helps to set a standard in the industry for both buyers and sellers. A diamond report is a valuable tool that can help you better understand what affects your diamonds quality, rarity and price. It should be said that these reports only serve as a guideline, any diamond you purchase should be assessed based on your tastes and personal criteria. Our team is always happy to assist in taking you through your GIA report; we do also recommend watching GIA’s short video below to understand their criteria better.
GIA reports are all published in print and accessible online at www.gia.edu. To verify the authenticity of your diamond, directly download the diamond grading report from GIA’s website using the unique GIA report number which is located on the top left of your GIA report.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ2UtygPnt4
Photos and videos source from GIA official website https://www.gia.edu/