What do I need to know to buy a Diamond?

Color - Many people think of diamonds as colorless. In reality, truly colorless diamonds are quite rare. Most diamonds used in jewelry are nearly colorless with faint yellow or brown tints. These diamonds fall in the normal color range. A diamond that is said to have "fine color" has little or no visible coloration. The less color, the higher the value. The Diamond color scale goes from D to Z, with D color having no color and will always be more valuable than other diamonds in the scale, when all other factors - clarity, carat weight, and cut - are equal.

Clarity - Like color, clarity is a key factor in determining a diamond's value. Few things in nature are absolutely perfect. This is as true of diamonds as anything else. Diamonds have internal features, called inclusions, and surface irregularities, called blemishes. Together, they're called clarity characteristics. A clarity grade is determined by the relative absence of clarity characteristics.

Cut - You may think of cut as the shape and style of a polished diamond. But when we talk about Cut as a value factor, we're also talking about the proportions, symmetry and polish of a diamond, often called "make" in the diamond trade. A diamond with a "good make" will speak to you. It's bright, fiery, symmetrical, and sparkles with light.

Carat - The last C has to do with the basic measuring unit of diamonds. Carat weight is how much your diamond weighs. Diamonds are weighed to a thousandth (0.001) of a carat and then rounded to the nearest hundredth, or point. Over a carat, diamond weights are usually expressed in carats and decimals. A 1.03ct stone, for example, would be described as "one point oh three carats," or "one oh three." A diamond that weighs 0.83ct. is said to weigh "eighty-three points," or an "eighty-three pointer."

Each of these 4 C's affect the price of a Diamond in their own way. To learn more about Diamonds, please feel free to visit us anytime.

What is the difference between a certified or non-certified stone?

A certified stone includes a Diamond Grading Report or Certificate from an independent Gemological Laboratory, such as GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or EGL (European Gem Laboratory). These reports or certificates state the grades for color, clarity, proportions, etc assigned to each stone through the educated opinions of the Lab. Diamonds that are graded or certified will always carry a premium price versus an uncertified stone. With an uncertified stone, the jeweler tells you what they believe the stone to be, based on their experience and education. These stones will typically be less expensive, but you must trust your jeweler and trust that they know what they are talking about. If you are in doubt, the jeweler should be willing to have the diamond graded by an independent lab and should not require you to buy the stone if the grade comes in significantly different from his or her educated opinion.

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