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Education
Since selecting a diamond for any occasion can be mystifying, we have put this guide together to give you the knowledge needed to take the questions out of buying diamonds. We know an educated and informed consumer is a confident, satisfied customer.
This guide gives you all of the important facts about the 4 Cs of diamonds: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight.
There is also a very important 5th C: Confidence . . . Confidence in the qualifications of the jeweler with whom you choose to do business. Ask to see the jeweler's credentials. We are pleased to offer our integrity, reliability, reputation and gemological knowledge to you at any time.
With the information in this guide, you will be able to compare quality and value, and feel confident that you are choosing a diamond that will last forever.
Throughout history the shape of a finished diamond has taken on many forms. The term shape is often confused with the technical term "cut".
Jewelers are offering a wide variety of shapes and cuts. New cuts are regularly introduced and jewelers often offer exclusive designs to their clients. No shape is better than another. Let your individual style and taste guide you when selecting the shape of your diamond.
Cut
The precision with which a diamond is cut is a critical factor in releasing its "fire" and "brilliance". It is the only factor of the 4Cs that man can control.
The facets 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 brilliance. If the geometric proportions are compromised, the beauty and brilliance of the diamond are sacrificed. To release a diamond's dazzling radiance, it must be well cut.
Color
Although most gem-quality diamonds when seen alone appear to be colorless to the untrained eye, there are subtle differences in the shade. Color in diamonds results from traces of other elements which mix with carbon during the diamonds formation. Diamonds with no traces of body color are extremely rare.
To determine a diamond true color, the diamond is viewed table down 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 using a special diamond light developed for color grading. The color grade is then assigned according to the diamonds color relative to the master set.
Clarity
Most diamonds develop natural "inclusions" (crystals, feathers, etc.) during their formation deep within the earth.
Diamond clarity is determined by the position, color, number, nature and size of inclusions. The fewer the inclusions, the rarer the diamond and the greater 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 ten power magnifications using a binocular microscope in good light. While inclusions may not affect the beauty of a diamond, they do affect its value and price.
Carat Weight
Of the 4 Cs, carat weight is the simplest factor used to determine the values 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 3/4 carat has 75 points or .75 carat.
As diamonds increase in weight, their price per carat usually increases geometrically, not arithmetically. Thus, a two-carat diamond will usually be more than double the price of a one-carat diamond of the same quality.
Diamonds are accurately weighed on a calibrated scale when they are loose or free from any mounting.
While the 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 combination's of shapes and settings. Whether you choose a traditional or a contemporary shape is purely a matter of your personal taste. There is no one style that is more appropriate than any 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.
To speak to an expert gemologist please call us at 718-871-0120 where someone would be honored to assist you in the purchase of your diamond.
This guide gives you all of the important facts about the 4 Cs of diamonds: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight.
There is also a very important 5th C: Confidence . . . Confidence in the qualifications of the jeweler with whom you choose to do business. Ask to see the jeweler's credentials. We are pleased to offer our integrity, reliability, reputation and gemological knowledge to you at any time.
With the information in this guide, you will be able to compare quality and value, and feel confident that you are choosing a diamond that will last forever.
Throughout history the shape of a finished diamond has taken on many forms. The term shape is often confused with the technical term "cut".
Jewelers are offering a wide variety of shapes and cuts. New cuts are regularly introduced and jewelers often offer exclusive designs to their clients. No shape is better than another. Let your individual style and taste guide you when selecting the shape of your diamond.
Cut
The precision with which a diamond is cut is a critical factor in releasing its "fire" and "brilliance". It is the only factor of the 4Cs that man can control.
The facets 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 brilliance. If the geometric proportions are compromised, the beauty and brilliance of the diamond are sacrificed. To release a diamond's dazzling radiance, it must be well cut.
Color
Although most gem-quality diamonds when seen alone appear to be colorless to the untrained eye, there are subtle differences in the shade. Color in diamonds results from traces of other elements which mix with carbon during the diamonds formation. Diamonds with no traces of body color are extremely rare.
To determine a diamond true color, the diamond is viewed table down 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 using a special diamond light developed for color grading. The color grade is then assigned according to the diamonds color relative to the master set.
Clarity
Most diamonds develop natural "inclusions" (crystals, feathers, etc.) during their formation deep within the earth.
Diamond clarity is determined by the position, color, number, nature and size of inclusions. The fewer the inclusions, the rarer the diamond and the greater 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 ten power magnifications using a binocular microscope in good light. While inclusions may not affect the beauty of a diamond, they do affect its value and price.
Carat Weight
Of the 4 Cs, carat weight is the simplest factor used to determine the values 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 3/4 carat has 75 points or .75 carat.
As diamonds increase in weight, their price per carat usually increases geometrically, not arithmetically. Thus, a two-carat diamond will usually be more than double the price of a one-carat diamond of the same quality.
Diamonds are accurately weighed on a calibrated scale when they are loose or free from any mounting.
While the 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 combination's of shapes and settings. Whether you choose a traditional or a contemporary shape is purely a matter of your personal taste. There is no one style that is more appropriate than any 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.
To speak to an expert gemologist please call us at 718-871-0120 where someone would be honored to assist you in the purchase of your diamond.