The Antwerp Advantage: A guide to ensure the quality of your diamond jewelry

1. Buy from a reputable dealer

At Orsini Diamonds, we are proud to have been awarded the 'Antwerp's Most Brilliant' label by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC). This label is the n° 1 quality requirement you should look for when buying diamond jewelry in Antwerp. The Antwerp Most Brilliant label is exclusively obtained by jewellers who meet rigorous standards for quality and ethical diamond sourcing. Kiwa, an accredited audit and control agency is responsible for re-audited every jeweller every two years and produces a binding report. Only in case of an excellent score on each of the criteria is the label awarded by the city of Antwerp and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre. The label is also supervised by the professional federation for jewellers Ars Nobilis and FOD Economie.

2. Always ask for a diamond with a certificate

A diamond certificate, also known as a diamond grading report, is a document that provides information about a diamond's characteristics, including its cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Look for diamonds that come with a certificate from a reputable grading organization, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI).

3. Consider the 4 C's

When evaluating the quality of a diamond, consider the 4 C's: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
When it comes to purchasing a diamond, it's important to understand these key factors as they are widely used as a standard to evaluate a diamond's value and beauty. 

• Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish, which determine how well it reflects light and how sparkling it appears. A well-cut diamond will have a balanced and symmetrical shape, with facets that are properly aligned to maximize light reflection and refraction. 

 

• Clarity: The clarity of a diamond is a measure of the presence of inclusions and blemishes, or natural characteristics found within the diamond. The fewer and smaller these features are, the higher the clarity of the diamond.

 

• Carat Weight: The carat weight of a diamond refers to its size, with one carat equaling 200 milligrams.

 

• Color: The color of a diamond refers to the presence of any hue or tint other than the typical transparent appearance of a high-quality diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) uses a letter grading system to evaluate the color of a diamond, with "D" being the highest quality (totally colorless) and "Z" being the lowest quality (light yellow or brown).

These factors need to be considered in combination, as no single factor is more important than the others. For example, while a larger diamond may be more eye-catching, it's important to consider the cut and clarity of the diamond as well, as these factors also play a role in determining its value and beauty.

In conclusion, by buying from a reputable dealer with a AMS label, always asking for a diamond with a certificate and considering the 4 C's, you can truely take advantage of buying diamond jewelry in the diamond capital of the world.