DIAMONDS AND THE 4C’s

Simply put, a rough diamond is merely a “stone”, until value is added through the valuation process. Namibia is world renowned for its high quality diamonds and is ranked in the Top 10 of global diamond producing countries. Despite the low quantities compared to other diamond producing countries, 90% of Namibia’s diamonds are of gem quality. This makes Namibian diamonds sought after and aids in securing a premium price. Equated to other diamond producing countries like Russia and Botswana, Namibia produces considerably less in quantity with just over 2 million carats in 2019. Botswana in the same year produced over 23 million carats and fetched an average of US145 per carat whilst Namibia fetched an average of U$500.25 per carat.

(https://kimberleyprocessstatistics.org/public_ statistics)

Diamonds are by their very nature a heterogonous product and there are about 16,000 different classifications determined by the four C’s within the trade. To simplify the subject of diamond valuation, the four Cs relate to CARAT, CUT, COLOUR and CLARITY - a universal language that was established by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA). The combination of these factors determine a diamond`s value, price and also accurately identify a diamond. Carat is the weight (1 carat = 0.200 grams) and reflects the diamond’s size. The larger the diamond, the rarer and more valuable it becomes. Stones from the size of 10.8 carat and above are regarded as rare and classified as special diamonds. Cut is the shape that the diamond eventually takes on and the angles, locations, sizes and shapes of facets will determine the diamond’s sparkle and visual beauty. To derive maximum value Diamond Polishers always follow the natural shape of a diamond, which eventually determines the shape or cut of the diamond. There are approximately 10 popular diamond shapes with the Round Brilliant shape being the most popular and other cuts/shapes such as Princess, Cushion, Emerald to name a few are referred to as fancy shapes.

Colour is the soft tint of yellow/brown that is seen inside the diamond. All diamonds on the GIA scale (D through Z) are considered white although on the lower end they can have a tinge of yellow colour. Most diamonds in the market range from colourless or nearly colourless to light yellow, brown or grey. The more brown the tint of colour, the less the sparkle of the diamond because light performance and reflection is reduced. The more nitrogen in the stone, the yellower and more vivid its colour become, placing it in the fancy colour category. Boron on the other hand enhances the blueish tint of a diamond. Interestingly pink diamonds, however, are a different story. Trace elements have never been found in pink diamonds. Instead, the colour is caused by a distortion in the diamond’s crystal frame, created by intense heat and immense pressure after the diamond’s formation in the earth. Clarity determines the transparency, brilliance and sparkle of a diamond and the more inclusions or blemishes in the stone, the less sparkly the diamond. Diamonds with no imperfections or blemishes fall within the highest category IF (Internally Flawless). This simply means that no inclusions are visible under 10x magnification. Interestingly, no two inclusions are alike, giving each diamond a distinct identifiable characteristic. The GIA Diamond Clarity Scale has 6 categories, some of which are divided, for a total of 11 specific grades.

Despite the valuation process and classifications, no two diamonds are ever the same and they are as distinct as the fingerprints of a human being. This makes diamonds one of the most sought after natural resources in the world and a very valuable resource for Namibia and its people.

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