Discover the artistry, craftsmanship, and natural beauty behind the world’s most exceptional diamonds. At Leviev, we believe an informed client develops a deeper appreciation for the rarity and individuality of every stone.

Our Diamond Education guide is designed to help you understand the essential characteristics that define a diamond’s beauty, value, and brilliance. From diamond cuts and shapes to clarity, color, and carat weight, each element plays a vital role in the appearance and personality of a stone. Whether selecting a timeless engagement ring, an investment worthy collector piece, or a one of a kind high jewelry creation, understanding these details allows you to choose with confidence and intention.

Every diamond tells a story shaped by nature over billions of years and refined through extraordinary craftsmanship. Through this guide, explore the qualities that distinguish truly exceptional natural diamonds and discover the standards of excellence that define the House of Leviev.

D-F | Colorless
The rarest and most highly prized white diamonds. These stones display exceptional icy brilliance with virtually no detectable color, even under magnification.

G-J | Near Colorless
Bright white diamonds with subtle warmth that is often undetectable to the untrained eye. These diamonds offer an elegant balance of beauty and value.

K-M | Faint Color
Diamonds within this range begin to show soft hints of warmth or champagne tones, particularly in larger stones or certain lighting conditions.

N-R | Very Light Color
Visible warmth becomes more apparent, giving the diamond a softer, creamy appearance.

S-Z | Light Color
Diamonds in this range display noticeable yellow or golden tones while still maintaining brilliance and fire.

Fancy Color Diamonds

Beyond the traditional D-Z scale are Fancy Color Diamonds, celebrated for their vivid natural hues including yellow, pink, blue, green, and more. Unlike white diamonds where the absence of color is prized, Fancy Color Diamonds are valued for the intensity, richness, and rarity of their color saturation.

At Leviev, we carefully select diamonds not only for their grading, but for their overall beauty, life, and presence. Factors such as cut quality, fluorescence, shape, and setting style can all influence how color appears within a diamond, making expert curation essential when selecting an exceptional stone.

Whether seeking the crisp purity of a colorless diamond or the warmth and individuality of a fancy colored stone, understanding diamond color allows for a more informed and personal selection.

Diamond clarity refers to the presence of natural internal characteristics, known as inclusions, and external surface features called blemishes. Formed deep within the earth over billions of years, nearly every natural diamond carries unique characteristics that make each stone entirely one of a kind.

The GIA Clarity Scale evaluates the visibility, size, location, and quantity of these characteristics under 10x magnification. While clarity can influence a diamond’s rarity and value, many inclusions are invisible to the naked eye and do not impact a diamond’s overall beauty or brilliance.

FL | Flawless
No visible inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification. Exceptionally rare and highly prized.

IF | Internally Flawless
No internal inclusions visible under magnification, with only minor surface blemishes present.

VS1-VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included
Minute inclusions that are extremely difficult for even skilled graders to detect under magnification.

VS1-VS2 | Very Slightly Included
Minor inclusions visible under 10x magnification but typically invisible to the naked eye. Often considered an ideal balance of beauty and value.

SI1-SI2 | Slightly Included
Noticeable inclusions under magnification that may sometimes be visible without magnification depending on the diamond’s size and placement.

I1-I3 | Included
Inclusions are more visible and may affect transparency or brilliance.

While higher clarity grades are rarer, clarity alone does not determine a diamond’s beauty. Cut quality, brilliance, proportions, and overall presence often play an even greater role in how a diamond appears when worn.
At Leviev, we carefully evaluate every diamond beyond laboratory grading alone. Our specialists select stones based not only on clarity grade, but on how inclusions interact with the diamond’s light performance, ensuring each diamond displays exceptional beauty, balance, and brilliance.

Many of the world’s most beautiful diamonds contain subtle natural characteristics, serving as unique fingerprints created by nature itself.

Carat weight is one of the most recognized characteristics of a diamond and refers to the stone’s physical weight rather than its visible size alone. One carat is equal to 0.20 grams and is divided into 100 points, allowing diamonds to be measured with extraordinary precision.

While larger carat weights are often associated with rarity and prestige, a diamond’s appearance can vary significantly depending on its cut proportions, shape, and overall craftsmanship. Two diamonds of identical carat weight may appear noticeably different in size based on how they are cut.

As carat weight increases, diamonds become increasingly rare, particularly when combined with exceptional color, clarity, and cut quality. Even subtle differences in weight can greatly influence a diamond’s value and visual presence.

Relative Diamond Sizes

0.25 - 0.50 Carat
Elegant and understated with delicate brilliance ideal for refined everyday wear.

0.75 - 1.00 Carat
Classic and versatile sizes offering strong brilliance with balanced proportions.

1.50 - 2.00 Carat
A luxurious statement with enhanced visual presence and exceptional fire.

3.00 Carat and Above
Rare and highly coveted diamonds with dramatic brilliance and extraordinary impact.

Carat weight alone does not determine how large a diamond appears. Factors such as:

Cut Quality
Shape
Depth Percentage
Table Proportions
Setting Style

All influence a diamond’s face up appearance.

For example, elongated cuts such as Oval, Marquise, and Pear shapes often appear larger than Round Brilliant diamonds of the same carat weight due to their surface dimensions.

At Leviev, we carefully evaluate diamonds beyond carat weight alone, selecting stones for their overall beauty, balance, brilliance, and proportions. A perfectly cut diamond can appear more luminous and visually impressive than a larger stone with inferior craftsmanship

Our specialists guide clients through the relationship between carat weight, proportions, and visual impact to ensure each diamond reflects exceptional beauty and individuality.