Wharton Diamonds
Kimberley Process
We are signed up to the Kimberley Process.
The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme that regulates the trade in rough diamonds. Its aim is to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds, while helping to protect the legitimate trade in rough diamonds. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme outlines the provisions by which the trade in rough diamonds is to occur.
We only deal with highly reputable companies who guarantee the origin of the diamonds they supply and they are signed up to the Kimberley process.
The vast majority of our loose diamonds are purchased from Diamond Trading Company registered site holders, who declare they do not deal in conflict diamonds in compliance with the United Nations Resolution no. 1173 1176 1306 1343.
A large proportion of our Brilliant and Princess Cut diamonds are from Russia where they are mined.
At Wharton, we have taken every precaution to prevent us being involved with any conflict diamonds. Our company procedures on the purchasing of diamonds enable us to comply with the United Nations Resolutions. We have obtained written guarantees from our suppliers stating that the diamonds supplied are non-conflict diamonds.
The Diamond Quality Pyramid
This is a framework to help you compare diamonds. While all diamonds are precious, those closest to the top of the pyramid – possessing the best combination of cut, clarity, carat weight and colour – are the earth’s rarest and most valuable.
The Colour of a Diamond
Diamonds range in colour from icy winter whites to warm summer whites. Diamonds are graded on a colour scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) which ranges from D (colourless) to Z.
Warmer coloured diamonds (K-Z) are particularly desirable when set in yellow gold. Icy winter whites (D-J) look stunning set in white gold or platinum.
Colour differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between, say, an E and an F. Therefore, colours are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.
Truly colourless stones, graded D, treasured for their rarity, are highest on the Diamond Quality Pyramid. Colour, however, ultimately comes down to personal taste.
Wharton will only offer to sell the very best colour of a diamond (from D to G). However, if you are looking for a specific type of colour, please contact your nearest stockist who will liaise with us to meet your requirements.
Clarity
Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, appearing while diamonds are formed in the earth. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.
To view inclusions, jewellers use a magnifying loupe. This tool allows them to see a diamond at 10x its actual size so that inclusions are easier to see. The position of inclusions can affect the value of a diamond. There are very few flawless diamonds found in nature, thus these diamonds are much more valuable.
Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection known as clarity which was established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The clarity scale, ranging from F (Flawless) to I (Included), is based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10x.
Cut
Based on scientific formulas, a well cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire, thereby placing well-cut diamonds higher on the diamond quality pyramid than deep or shallow-cut diamonds. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose or leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in less brilliance and ultimately, value.
Cut also refers to shape – round, square, pear or heart for example. Since a round diamond is symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light that enters, it is the most brilliant of all diamond shapes and follows specific proportional guidelines.
Non-round shapes, also known as “fancy shapes” will have their own guidelines to be considered well-cut.
Carat
Carat is often confused with size even though it is actually a measure of weight. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 “points”. A 0.75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or ¾ carat diamond.
A 1-carat diamond costs exactly twice the price of a half-carat diamond, right? Wrong. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, which places them at the rarest level of the Diamond Quality Pyramid, a 1-carat diamond will cost more than twice a ½-carat diamond (assuming colour, clarity and cut remain constant). Large diamonds are rare and have a greater value per carat. For that reason, the price of a diamond rises exponentially to its size.
We are signed up to the Kimberley Process.
The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme that regulates the trade in rough diamonds. Its aim is to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds, while helping to protect the legitimate trade in rough diamonds. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme outlines the provisions by which the trade in rough diamonds is to occur.
We only deal with highly reputable companies who guarantee the origin of the diamonds they supply and they are signed up to the Kimberley process.
The vast majority of our loose diamonds are purchased from Diamond Trading Company registered site holders, who declare they do not deal in conflict diamonds in compliance with the United Nations Resolution no. 1173 1176 1306 1343.
A large proportion of our Brilliant and Princess Cut diamonds are from Russia where they are mined.
At Wharton, we have taken every precaution to prevent us being involved with any conflict diamonds. Our company procedures on the purchasing of diamonds enable us to comply with the United Nations Resolutions. We have obtained written guarantees from our suppliers stating that the diamonds supplied are non-conflict diamonds.
The Diamond Quality Pyramid
This is a framework to help you compare diamonds. While all diamonds are precious, those closest to the top of the pyramid – possessing the best combination of cut, clarity, carat weight and colour – are the earth’s rarest and most valuable.
The Colour of a Diamond
Diamonds range in colour from icy winter whites to warm summer whites. Diamonds are graded on a colour scale established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) which ranges from D (colourless) to Z.
Warmer coloured diamonds (K-Z) are particularly desirable when set in yellow gold. Icy winter whites (D-J) look stunning set in white gold or platinum.
Colour differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between, say, an E and an F. Therefore, colours are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.
Truly colourless stones, graded D, treasured for their rarity, are highest on the Diamond Quality Pyramid. Colour, however, ultimately comes down to personal taste.
Wharton will only offer to sell the very best colour of a diamond (from D to G). However, if you are looking for a specific type of colour, please contact your nearest stockist who will liaise with us to meet your requirements.
Clarity
Inclusions are natural identifying characteristics such as minerals or fractures, appearing while diamonds are formed in the earth. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.
To view inclusions, jewellers use a magnifying loupe. This tool allows them to see a diamond at 10x its actual size so that inclusions are easier to see. The position of inclusions can affect the value of a diamond. There are very few flawless diamonds found in nature, thus these diamonds are much more valuable.
Inclusions are ranked on a scale of perfection known as clarity which was established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The clarity scale, ranging from F (Flawless) to I (Included), is based on the visibility of inclusions at a magnification of 10x.
Cut
Based on scientific formulas, a well cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire, thereby placing well-cut diamonds higher on the diamond quality pyramid than deep or shallow-cut diamonds. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose or leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in less brilliance and ultimately, value.
Cut also refers to shape – round, square, pear or heart for example. Since a round diamond is symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light that enters, it is the most brilliant of all diamond shapes and follows specific proportional guidelines.
Non-round shapes, also known as “fancy shapes” will have their own guidelines to be considered well-cut.
Carat
Carat is often confused with size even though it is actually a measure of weight. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 “points”. A 0.75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-points or ¾ carat diamond.
A 1-carat diamond costs exactly twice the price of a half-carat diamond, right? Wrong. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, which places them at the rarest level of the Diamond Quality Pyramid, a 1-carat diamond will cost more than twice a ½-carat diamond (assuming colour, clarity and cut remain constant). Large diamonds are rare and have a greater value per carat. For that reason, the price of a diamond rises exponentially to its size.
