Selecting a diamond for any occasion can be mystifying. We have put together this diamond information page to give you the knowledge needed to take the questions out of buying diamonds. We know an educated and informed consumer is a confident and satisfied customer.

Whether you are purchasing your first diamond or have purchased diamond jewelry before, it is important to be informed of the facts about the 4C’s of diamonds: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight.

In addition, there is a very important 5th C:

Confidence in the qualifications of the jeweler with whom you choose to do business. We are pleased to offer our integrity, reliability, reputation and gemological knowledge to you at any time.

With the information about the 4C’s, you will be able to compare quality and value, and feel confident that you are choosing a diamond that will last forever.

 

Shape

 

Throughout history, the shape of a finished diamond has taken on many forms. The term shape is often confused with the technical term cut. The precision of the cut determines the diamond’s fire, brilliance, and ultimate beauty. The shape selected is a matter of individual preference.

Your choice of shape is only limited by the skill and imagination of the craftsman.

 

Cut

The precision with which a diamond is cut is the most critical factor in releasing its “fire” and “brilliance.” Since it is the only factor than humans can control, it may be the most important of the 4C’s.

During the cutting process, fifty percent of rough diamond material is usually lost. The facets, or planes, of the diamond should be placed in exact geometric relation to each other, the culet or “point” should be in the exact center of the bottom of the diamond and the diamond needs to be well polished.The symmetry is crucial for light entering the diamond to be reflected back to the eye as “fire”. Once these geometric proportions are compromised, the beauty and brilliance of the diamond are sacrificed for size. To achieve a diamond’s truly dazzling radiance, it must be cut precisely.We make no compromise in this area of diamond quality.

 

How a Diamond Handles Light

It is the cut that enable a diamond to make the best use of light.

1. Ideally cut — Light is reflected from one facet to another and then disperses through the top of the diamond.
2. Too deep — Light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion.
3. Too shallow — Light passes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.
4. Ideally cut — Light is reflected from one facet to another and then disperses through the top of the diamond.

 

Color

Although most gem-quality diamonds when seen alone appear to be colorless to the untrained eye, there are subtle differences in shade. Color in diamonds results from traces of other elements which mixed with carbon during the diamond’s formation. Diamonds with no traces of body color are extremely rare.

To determine a diamond’s true color, the diamond is viewed from the side under balanced white light. It is compared to diamonds in a “Master Set” whose colors have been predetermined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Our diamonds are color graded in an accredited gem laboratory using a special diamond light developed for colorgrading. A color grade is then assigned according to the diamond’s deviation from the truly colorless diamond.

“Master-set” diamonds predetermined by the Gemological Institute of America are used to grade color.

1. Colorless
2. Near colorless
3. Very Light Yellow
4. Light Yellow

 

Clarity

Nature has identified each diamond by natural “inclusions:” crystals, feathers, lines, etc. These traits developed in the diamond during its formation.

Diamond clarity is determined by the absence of these inclusions. The fewer the inclusions, the rarer the diamond and the grater the value: Flawless and internally flawless diamonds are exceedingly rare. The term “flawless” is a highly restricted one. Under Federal Trade Commission rules a diamond can only be deemed flawless when no internal or external imperfections are visible to a professional eye under 10 power magnification using a binocular microscope in good light. While inclusions may not affect the beauty of a diamond, the do affect its value and price.

All of our diamonds are graded for clarity in an accredited gem laboratory, or by an internationally recognized gemological institute.

 

GIA Clarity Grading Scale

*All diamonds are viewed under 10x magnification using a binocular microscope.

FL — flawless IF — internally flawless — minor surface blemishes
VVS1 — extremely difficult to locate inclusions VVS2 — very, very small inclusions
VS1 — minor characteristics difficult to locate VS2 — very small inclusions
SI1 — noticeable SI2 — easily noticed small inclusions
I1 — eye-visible inclusions I2 — obvious eye-visible inclusions I3 — lacks transparency and contains dark         inclusions easily visible to the naked eye

 

Carat Weight

Of the 4C’s, carat weight is the simplest factor used to determine the value of a diamond. As with all precious gems, the weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. One carat equals one-fifth of a gram or 1/142 of an ounce. One carat is divided into 100 points, so a diamond weighing ¾ carat has 75 points or 0.75 carats. As diamonds increase in value, their price per carat usually increases geometrically, not mathematically. Thus, a two-carat diamond will be more than double the price of a one-carat diamond of the same quality. Diamonds are accurately weighed when they are loose, or free from any mounting. Our diamonds are weighed loose on a calibrated scale.

 

Style

While a diamond’s incomparable strength has made it the symbol of undying love, it is the diamond’s shimmering brilliance that has made it the most prized of all gems. After a diamond is cut, a setting is selected. We offer a wide range of elegant, attractive settings designed to best show off your diamond. There are many combinations of shapes and settings. Whether you choose a traditional or a contemporary shape, it is purely a matter of your personal taste. There is no one style that is more appropriate than the other. We hope to gain your confidence by providing all the information you need to make the best choice when purchasing diamond jewelry. We also offer you our reliability, integrity, and knowledge.