Our Quality: The 4Cs in Sustainable Diamonds
The question that we have been receiving from interested and clients for the past two weeks since our brand and online store launch: Are Sustainable Diamonds real diamonds?
Yes they are. Besides having identical chemical and optical properties as natural diamonds, the quality sustainable diamonds are also graded in the same way as natural diamonds, by assessing the four C’s of diamond quality: Cut, Color, Carat, Clarity.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and International Grading Institute (IGI) both recognize sustainable diamonds as real diamonds. Hence, they offer dedicated reports using the same grading process as natural diamonds, whilst also specifying their origin as grown in the laboratory.
Our leading technology means our lab-grown diamonds are among the finest you can find. All of Hēbē's sustainable diamonds are issued a diamond certificate to mark our quality, ensuring we have met the internationally recognized standards of the '4 C's' as described below.
CUT
The cut of a diamond determines its brilliance, how much its facets interact with light and sparkle. Cut does not refer to the shape of a diamond, but instead grades how perfectly the stone has been cut into its shape. The better the symmetry, proportioning and polish of a diamond, the higher its cut grade.
Here is the anatomy of a properly cut diamond.
Hēbē's Cut Quality
Every sustainable diamond at Hēbē has been measured as “Very Good”, offering exceptional brilliance and fire. In fact, our production process means that we grow our stones to be the optimal size and shape for cutting, maximizing the sparkle each stone can offer.
CARAT
Carat indicates the weight of a diamond, not the size. This means carat weight can appear differently depending on diamond shape. On its own, carat weight is not a good indicator of the overall standard of a diamond. A stone could have a high carat weight but little brightness or sparkle if not combined with high quality cut, clarity and color.
Hēbē's Carat Weight
At Hēbē, our current selection ranges from 0.2 carats to 2 carats* at GIA and IGI standard sizes.
*Should you be interested in carat sizes more than 2 carats, kindly send us an inquiry in our Live Chat.
CLARITY
Sustainable diamond clarity is the assessment, under 10x magnification, of the small imperfections within the stone. These imperfections are known as inclusions or internal characteristics. Inclusions can obstruct a diamonds ability to refract and return light -- so the poorer the clarity, the less a diamond will sparkle.
Hēbē's Clarity Grading
Every sustainable diamond at Hēbē has been measured as VS. This means the stone has only minor inclusions that cannot be seen by the naked eye, and are difficult to see at 10x magnification.
COLOR
Color grading actually assesses the lack of color in a white lab-grown diamond. In nature, most white diamonds have a slight tint of yellow. The closer to being ‘colorless’ the stone is, the rarer it is and therefore the more valuable it is.
Hēbē's Color Grading
Hēbē's sustainable diamonds has been measured as near colorless. This is technically defined as I and means that only a trained gemologist can detect a trace of color.
