The Diamond Guide — Calgary’s Trusted Diamond Resource
Learn the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds, understand the 4Cs, and discover how to choose the perfect diamond for your jewelry.
This guide is tailored for customers across Calgary, Alberta, and Canada.
LAB-GROWN VS NATURAL DIAMONDS
Lab-Grown Diamonds (Canada’s Modern Choice)
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, identical in brilliance, structure, and durability to natural diamonds. They are created using advanced technology that replicates Earth’s natural diamond-forming process.
Why many Calgary clients choose lab-grown:
- Ethically sourced and environmentally conscious
- Exceptional value and larger presence within budget
- Certified by IGI
- Ideal for modern engagement rings and fine jewellery
- Hardness: 10/10 on the Mohs scale
Natural Diamonds
Formed deep within the Earth over billions of years, natural diamonds are treasured for their rarity and enduring symbolism. Each stone carries a unique geological story shaped by time.
Why clients choose natural diamonds:
- Naturally rare and one of a kind
- A traditional symbol of heritage and commitment
- Unique inclusions and character
- Certified by GIA or IGI (select stones)
- Timeless appeal with long-term significance
- Hardness: 10/10 on the Mohs scale
THE 4Cs OF DIAMONDS
Cut determines a diamond’s sparkle and brilliance.
For Calgary buyers, Excellent and Ideal cuts offer the brightest shine.
Cut Grades:
Ideal (Super Ideal) — Maximum brilliance
Excellent — Top recommended
Very Good — Good balance
Good — Moderate brilliance
Fair / Poor — Not recommended
At Celestar Diamonds, we prioritize cut quality to ensure every diamond performs beautifully in any light.
Color ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light tint).
Grades:
D–F: Colorless (premium)
G–J: Near-colorless (best value)
K–M: Faint tint
N–Z: Light color (not recommended for fine jewelry)
Most Canadian customers choose D–H color.
Clarity measures how clean a diamond is under magnification.
Grades:
FL: Flawless
IF: Internally Flawless
VVS1–VVS2: Very very slight inclusions (rare)
VS1–VS2: Very slight inclusions (excellent + eye-clean)
SI1–SI2: Small inclusions (budget-friendly, sometimes eye-clean)
I1–I3: Visible inclusions (not recommended)
Best choice: VS1–SI1 (eye-clean + high value)
Carat measures weight in points (100 points = 1.00 ct).
Popular sizes in Calgary:
0.50 ct — Minimalist
0.75 ct — Balanced
1.00 ct — Engagement standard
1.50+ ct — Luxury
A well-cut diamond always looks larger.
CUT — The Most Important C
Cut defines how brilliantly a diamond reflects light. A well-cut diamond appears brighter and more lively, regardless of carat weight.
Our recommendation for Calgary clients:
Choose Excellent or Ideal cut for maximum sparkle in all lighting conditions.
Cut Grades
- Ideal (Super Ideal) — Maximum brilliance
- Excellent — Best balance of sparkle & value (recommended)
- Very Good — Good brilliance with slight light loss
- Good — Noticeably less sparkle
- Fair / Poor — Not recommended
COLOR — How White Your Diamond Appears
Diamond color is graded from D (colorless) to Z (noticeable color).
Luxury sweet spot:
- D–F — Colorless (premium)
- G–H — Near-colorless (best value, visually white)
- I–J — Slight warmth, visible in larger stones
Clarity & Natural Characteristics
Clarity measures internal inclusions and surface marks.
Recommended clarity range:
- FL / IF — Rare, flawless
- VVS1–VVS2 — Excellent purity
- VS1–VS2 — Eye-clean (ideal choice)
- SI1 — Good value, may show inclusions under magnification
CARAT — Weight, Not Size
Carat refers to weight, not visible size. Two diamonds of the same carat can look different depending on cut quality.
Tip: A slightly lower carat with an excellent cut often appears larger and brighter.
DIAMOND SHAPES
Round Brilliant
Most sparkle, timeless, ideal for engagement rings.
Oval
Larger face-up look, elegant elongation.
Cushion
Soft square, romantic glow.
Emerald
Bold clarity lines, vintage elegance.
Hand-Selected Diamonds for Calgary & Across Canada
Every Celestar diamond — natural or lab-grown — is carefully chosen for exceptional beauty and certified authenticity.
Our expert jewelers hand-inspect each stone to ensure brilliance you’ll love for a lifetime.