|
|
|
|
Diamond
Education:
Once you've
gotten this
far you have
already
probably
heard about
the "4
C's"
of diamonds.
Carat,
Color,
Clarity, and
Cut.
The sum of
the 4 C's
will
ultimately
determine
the "5th C"
...Cost
or Cash.
We will give
you a brief
overview to
help you
better
choose a
diamond that
is right for
you.
But keep in
mind, we
highly
recommend
you speak
with one of
our diamond
experts to
help you
pick the
diamond that
is best for
you and in
your price
range.
Don't let
someone
convince you
that you
need a
particular
quality.
Everybody
has
different
needs and it
is our
commitment
to find you
the diamond
that fits
you best.
It is best
to speak
with an
expert that
is holding
the diamond,
can see it
and describe
it while
speaking
with you.
You are not
buying a
certificate,
you are
buying a
diamond!
Carat
is most
easy because
it refers to
the weight
of the
diamond
measured in
carats.
One carat is
0.2
grams. It
takes almost
142 carats
to equal 1
ounce. One
carat has
what we
refer to as
100
"points."
Therefore, a
quarter
carat would
weight 25
"points."
A half carat
50 "points."
And a three
quarter
carat 75
"points" and
so on.
Color
is what we
refer to as
the actual
visible
"tint" of
the diamond.
The highest
color and
most rare is
colorless.
Most
diamonds
sold in
retail
stores are
near
colorless to
faint or
light brown
or yellow.
There are
even what as
referred to
as "fancy"
colored
diamonds
such as
blue, pink
and red.
With the
exception of
the rare
fancy
colors,
colorless
diamonds
command the
highest
prices.
The
worldwide
color scale,
derived by
GIA (The
Gemological
Institute of
America),
starts at D
and goes
through Z
and beyond
to the fancy
and vivid
colors.
Clarity
is the
degree to
which a
diamond is
free of
blemishes
and
"inclusions."
Inclusions
are internal
"imperfections"
in the
diamond.
Some
inclusions
are caused
by
conditions
present when
the diamond
was formed,
others
during the
cutting
process.
Since nature
makes
nothing
absolutely
pure or
perfect
those
diamonds
with few
inclusions
are rare and
command a
higher value
or price.
The industry
wide scale
ranges from
the low end
of "gem
quality"
diamonds I3
to the best
flawless.
Most
diamonds
have eye
visible
inclusions.
These range
from easily
visible,
clarity
grades
I2-I3, to
barely eye
visible I1.
One must
also keep in
mind the
size of the
diamond also
greatly
influences
this
generalization.
The industry
uses 10x
magnification
in grading
clarity in
diamonds.
I1-I3
(imperfect),
this is the
broadest of
all
categories.
Most gem
quality
diamonds
fall into
this range.
This quality
basically
means you
can visibly
see
imperfections
without
magnification.
How easy
depends on
the stone.
However, the
lower
qualities
I2-I3 have
so many
inclusions
they will
generally
not be
shiny.
|
|
|
An I1 stone may not be bad quality.
In fact, this is mostly what you
find at retail jewelry stores.
The diamond may still have good to
great color, lots of shine and
sparkle but if you look very closely
you may see a tiny inclusion.
A good value for those who want a
big bang for the buck!
SI (Slightly
Included), refers
to stones that under 10x
magnification have noticeable or
fairly noticeable inclusions but are
generally "eye clean."
Eye clean means that holding a
diamond and looking at it without
magnification you will NOT see
visible inclusions. Most of
our merchandise is SI or
better. This is a quality
diamond that can be compared to
higher quality. The only
difference is under magnification.
VS
(Very
Slightly included),
and inclusions are noticeable, by an
expert, under 10x
magnification but are minor and
small in appearance. Unless
you are using a microscope and
the inclusions are pointed out, the
average buyer will probably not see
inclusions even under a 10X
loupe. This is very high quality.
The highest grade next to flawless
is
VVS
(Very
Very Slightly
included). Diamonds graded VVS
contain extremely small inclusion
difficult for even skilled graders
to see under 10x magnification.
You will no doubt not see ANY
inclusions under a 10x loupe and may
not even see any under a microscope.
This is EXTREMELY high quality.
Only a fraction of 1% of all
diamonds acheive this grade.
The most rare clarity is
IF
(Internally
Flawless).
These are classified as being free
of any internal imperfection under
10x magnification. This is
extremely rare and very expensive.
We do not suggest an IF stone
because even normal wear can cause
this type of diamond to lower in
clarity by chipping or abrading.
Cut
refers
not to the shape of the diamond but
to the proportions to which the
stone was polished. This is a
touchy subject because it is
difficult to measure "brilliance" in
a diamond. However, there are
several theories behind cutting the
"ideal" diamond such as Tolkowski.
The AGS (American Gem Society), has
come up with a "cut grade" with all
their diamond reports. Based
upon this theory and others we can
conclude that the best cut diamonds
fall into a range. AGS grades
their perfectly cut diamonds 0 on a
scale of 0 - 10. AGS ideal 0
cuts are extremely rare and
consequently will cost much more.
Very fine cut diamonds, AGS 1 and 2
grades, are also rare but also
exhibit extreme brilliance and
provide a great value.
|
ROUND DIAMOND |
AGS
IDEAL "0" |
AGS
VERY FINE "2" |
|
Depth % |
59% - 62.5% |
57% - 63% |
|
Table % |
52.4% - 57.5% |
51.4% - 63% |
|
Girdle Thickness |
Thin to Medium |
Very Thin - Thick |
|
Culet Size |
None - Medium |
None - Medium |
|
Polish |
Excellent |
Excellent - Good |
|
Symmetry |
Excellent |
Excellent - Good |
|
Florescence |
None - Faint |
None - Medium |
Cut in fancy shapes
Since
fancy shapes are not symmetrical
like the round diamond no
information has been published as to
the "ideal cut" fancy shape diamond.
However, the industry , as well as
our experts, has combined
information to determine a range for
well cut fancy shapes. This is
based on analyzing several thousand
stones over years of experience.
A well cut fancy shaped diamond will
produce outstanding brilliance.
FANCY CUTS
|
|
EMERALD |
PRINCESS |
MARQUIS |
PEAR |
|
Depth % |
65% - 75% |
65% - 80% |
59% - 70% |
60% - 70% |
|
Table % |
50% - 75% |
65% - 80% |
52% - 60% |
55% - 65% |
|
Girdle Thickness |
Very thin-Thick |
Very thin-Thick |
Very thin-Thick |
Thin - thick |
|
Culet Size |
None-Medium |
None-Medium |
None-Medium |
None - Medium |
|
Polish |
Excellent-Good |
Excellent-Good |
Excellent-Good |
Excellent - Good |
|
Symmetry |
Excellent-Good |
Excellent-Good |
Excellent-Good |
Excellent - Good |
|
Florescence |
None-Medium |
None-Medium |
None-Medium |
None- Medium |
|
Length/Width Ratio |
1.3-1.65 to 1 |
1-1.3 to 1 |
1.7-2.2 to 1 |
1.4-1.8 to 1 |
What is Florescence?
Florescence is the impact of ultra
violet light on the diamond.
1/2 of all diamonds have some sort
of florescence, from very faint to
very strong. This means that
under ultra violet light the diamond
will glow blue.
Does
this have an impact on value?
Some times. It depends on its
noticeability. Diamonds of
high color, sometimes appear
milky or cloudy when they have
strong florescence. But not
all the time. The other
circumstances when it is noticeable
is under direct sunlight, which has
ultra violet light in it.
Those diamonds which appear blue
under sunlight would be lower in
value.
On the
other hand florescence may add value
to a diamond of lower color as it
gives the diamond a whiter, brighter
appearance. Diamonds with as
high as H color and lower sometimes
appear whiter with some degree of
florescence.
 |
|
Here is a chart as to how
the industry discounts
florescence. As you
can see those diamonds with
the higher quality and more
strong florescence have the
largest discounts.
Remember, discounts apply to
how noticeable the effect
is. Two diamonds of
the same quality, both with
strong florescence may not
have the same discount in
price.
In all cases faint
florescence has no impact on
value because it is only
noticeable in a laboratory
setting and has no impact on
brilliance.
What does Certified mean?
A certified diamond is a
stone that has been
submitted to either EGL or
GIA for quality analysis.
The lab grades the color and
clarity and takes detailed
measurements of the diamond.
The importance of a
certified diamond is to the
consumer. You can
compare two diamonds that
are both "certified" without
even seeing them. If
you have two diamond both
EGL certified G color, VS2
clarity, you can be
confident that they are
comparable.
EGL and GIA are the
benchmark in the industry
for certification. The
entire industry uses these
labs. How can you
compare an appraisal from an
independent appraiser with a
certificate? The
bottom line is you cannot. |
|
If you are getting a good
quality diamond it is better
to have it certified.
This way you can be
confident that your
diamond's grade will be
comparable to any other
diamond of the same grade,
anywhere. You can shop
for diamonds that are EGL or
GIA certified in your area
and then call us for our
price. You can be
sure, if you are comparing
certified diamonds of the
same quality, you are
getting comparable stones.
What Next?
Your next step is to browse
our diamond database or
contact our diamond expert.
Choosing the right diamond
can be a confusing process.
Especially if you speak with
an uneducated sales person.
Call us direct, toll free,
and speak with one of our
diamond experts.
He will ask you questions to
better understand your
needs. Then he will
suggest certain size,
quality, or even shape to
give you a head start on
choosing a diamond. It
is your choice, either by
e-mail or phone, a diamond
expert will contact you
usually within 24 hours
Monday - Friday. We
will do our best to make
this a pleasurable purchase
and to find you the best
diamond that fits your
individual needs.
|
|
