All about Diamonds

a quick lesson

The 4 C’s

While the four characteristics below determine the value of a diamond, ultimately the beauty of a diamond is determined by the quality of the cut. Click each “Learn More” button below for an overview.

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You’ll find no dull, department-store diamonds here. We hand-pick every diamond we sell in the Diamond Room, ensuring each is correctly cut and proportioned to release their true sparkling potential.

Schedule an appointment in the Diamond Room.

DIAMONDS 101

3. CLARITY

DIAMONDS 101:

3. CLARITY

Clarity measures the amount, size and placement of natural, internal inclusions, and external blemishes. Grades run from "Flawless," with virtually no imperfections, to "Included," which contain a significant number of imperfections.

When looking at diamonds to purchase, the most important thing is to make sure you do not see any of these inclusions without magnification. In most cases, you will be able to see inclusions in the diamond with 10x magnification. Having inclusions in a diamond can actually benefit you in regards to price. The grading of clarity is strictly done through 10x magnification, and only viewed through the top of the diamond; it is never turned over or onto its side.

DIAMONDS 101

1. COLOR

DIAMONDS 101:

1. COLOR

The color grade given to a diamond is measured by the lack of color. Yellow and brown tones are a result of impurities in the nitrogen of the diamond.

In the laboratories, the color grade is determined by viewing the diamonds from the side, and comparing to a master set of diamonds graded from D-Z. D-F represents the "colorless" range, and G-J the "near colorless." These are the most common color grades for the larger center diamonds purchased for engagement rings.

Each letter grade represents a "range" within that grade. Therefore, the same color grade in different diamonds may look like they have a different color. The less color a diamond has, the more rare and expensive it is.

DIAMONDS 101

4. CARAT

DIAMONDS 101:

4. CARAT

Carat refers to a diamond’s weight. Some often mistake this with the visual size and dimensions of a diamond. Generally speaking, the higher the carat weight, the more expensive the stone. Two diamonds of equal carat weight, however, can have very different quality and price when the other three C’s are considered.

DIAMONDS 101

2. CUT

DIAMONDS 101:

2. CUT

Cut not only refers to a diamond’s shape, but to the proportion and arrangement of its facets and the quality of workmanship. The amount of brilliance, sparkle and fire in a diamond is determined by cut. Currently only round diamonds have a grading scale for the actual cut. These grades range from "Excellent" to "Poor." The polish and symmetry, which are part of the cut, have the same grading scale in all shape diamonds.

a quick lesson

CLARITY

COLOR

CARAT

CUT

LEARN MUCH MORE

DIAMONDS 101

3. CLARITY

DIAMONDS 101:

3. CLARITY

DIAMONDS 101

1. COLOR

DIAMONDS 101:

1. COLOR

DIAMONDS 101

4. CARAT

DIAMONDS 101:

4. CARAT

DIAMONDS 101

2. CUT

DIAMONDS 101:

2. CUT

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