DIAMOND EDUCATION
Diamonds are renowned for their unrivaled beauty and remarkable strength, but a large part of what determines the value of a diamond is its rarity. The price of any particular diamond is appraised using four key qualities of the gem; the size, color, clarity and cut. Taking a moment to learn some details about these factors will help you make a better decision when choosing the perfect diamond for your engagement ring.
If you have a budget in mind, our friendly diamond experts are available to guide you, sharing examples of certified diamonds so you can see in person how each of the four factors affects the appearance and brilliance of a diamond, helping you find the perfect gem.
Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call at
856-983-2300.
Learn the BASICS OF diamonds
When it comes to buying a diamond, learning about the 4 C's is an essential first step to finding the perfect gem.
CUT
Each diamond is cut to very exacting standards. The cut is one of the most important quality factors of a diamond, as it affects the diamond’s sparkle.
CLARITY
A diamond’s clarity is affected by any external and internal characteristics created when the diamond was formed, or as a result of the cutting process.
CARAT
Carat weight measures a diamond’s weight and size. Because large diamonds are rare, they generally have a greater value per carat.
COLOR
While the most popular diamonds are colorless, diamonds come in every color of the spectrum. Diamonds are graded on a scale of D through Z
DIAMOND SHAPES
Diamonds are cut into many different shapes, each with their own aesthetic and cutting requirements. While diamond shapes are sometimes referred to as the cut (for example an emerald-cut diamond), the cut refers to how a jeweler cuts the diamond to achieve its symmetry and proportion.
Most people are familiar with the round solitaire diamond and common "fancy" shapes -- which refer to a gemstone cut in any shape other than round. Fancy cuts include such shapes as baguette, emerald, triangle, pear, princess, oval and marquise.
Use our chart of diamond shapes to identify your favorite:
ROUND
PRINCESS
OVAL
MARQUISE
HEART
EMERALD
PEAR
ASSHER
BAGUETTE
CUSHION
TRILLION
RADIANT
GUIDE to DIAMOND CUT
Diamond cut refers to how the jeweler physically cuts the diamond stone into its shape and to the proportions and symmetry that achieve optimal light dispersion, which affects a diamond’s quality and price.
Each diamond is cut to very exacting standards. Let’s look at the process to cut a beautiful diamond to better understand the terminology the jewelry industry uses to explain diamond cut factors.
A diamond’s light reflection, known as brilliance, is an extremely important factor in evaluating the quality of a diamond’s cut. A poorly cut diamond will actually lose light and appear dull.
A diamond’s cut impacts four aspects of the stone’s optical and physical properties:
Luster: The quality and amount of light that is reflected off just the surface of the diamond. Luster is directly related to the hardness of the stone and the quality of its polish.
Brilliance: The amount of white light that is returned to the eye from both internal and external surfaces. Brilliance is determined by the quality of the diamond’s polish and the number and size of inclusions inside the gem.
Dispersion: The display of spectral or rainbow colors seen coming from the inside of a diamond. Often referred to as “fire,” dispersion is directly related to how well the stone is proportioned.
Scintillation: A diamond will show scintillation, or “sparkle,” when movement is involved. The viewer, the light source or the diamond itself must be in motion for scintillation to occur.
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GUIDE TO DIAMOND CLARITY
A diamond’s clarity, one of diamonds 4Cs, is affected by any external and internal characteristics created by nature when the diamond was formed or as a result of the cutting process.
Characteristics such as internal spots or lines are called inclusions. Although these marks make each stone unique, the fewer the inclusions, the more valuable the stone. Inclusions can sometimes interfere with the passage of light through the stone, diminishing the sparkle and value of the diamond.
Clarity is graded on a scale ranging from Flawless (Fl) to Imperfect (I). Only a tiny percentage of diamonds ever achieve a grade of Flawless.
GUIDE TO DIAMOND CARAT WEIGHT
Carat weight is one of the 4Cs of diamonds that measures a diamond’s weight and size. The term “carat” is derived from the carob seeds that were used to balance scales in ancient times.
Today’s metric carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or one-fifth of a gram, and there are approximately 142 carats to an ounce. Carats are further divided into points. There are 100 points in a carat. A half-carat diamond may be referred to as a 50-point stone.
Because large diamonds are rare, they generally have a greater value per carat. When considering the value of a diamond, two diamonds of equal carat weight can have differing price points based on the quality of cut, color and clarity — the three other diamond quality factors. you find the highest quality diamond that fits your budget.
GUIDE to DIAMOND CARAT WEIGHT
Carat weight is one of the 4Cs of diamonds that measures a diamond’s weight and size. The term "carat" is derived from the carob seeds that were used to balance scales in ancient times.
Today’s metric carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or one-fifth of a gram, and there are approximately 142 carats to an ounce. Carats are further divided into points. There are 100 points in a carat. A half-carat diamond may be referred to as a 50-point stone.
Because large diamonds are rare, they generally have a greater value per carat. When considering the value of a diamond, two diamonds of equal carat weight can have differing price points based on the quality of cut, color and clarity -- the three other diamond quality factors. you find the highest quality diamond that fits your budget.
GUIDE TO DIAMOND COLOR
Diamonds come in every color of the spectrum, but the most popular are colorless. Truly colorless, pure white diamonds are extremely rare and, therefore, the most costly. Laboratories, like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), grade stones according to how far they deviate from the purest white as one of the diamond 4Cs.
The best way to see the true color of a diamond is by looking at it against a white surface. Colorless stones are graded D, E or F. All three grades are considered colorless but with slightly decreasing transparency. Color grading continues down through the alphabet, with each letter designating a slight darker or warmer tint.
