A critical value factor of assessing a diamond is its cut. Cut describes the proportions, balance, symmetry and polish of a diamond not its shape, such as round or oval etc. Cut determines how that diamond will come to life the brilliance, fire and scintillation that is unleashed when the diamond cutter brings his or her talents to the stone.
This C may be the most challenging to fully grasp because so many components must come together to determine the cut grade. A diamond is critically assessed by every facet from top (crown) to bottom (pavilion). The goal of a well cut diamond is to return the maximum amount of reflected light back to the viewer's eye so that the diamond will sparkle brilliantly.
Color should not be confused with clarity. Color means the body-color of the diamond crystal itself irrespective of its clarity. To the untrained eye, a colorless but heavily included or low clarity diamond can be mistaken for a grayish or brownish body color diamond.
With the exception of fancy color diamonds (those with prominent hues like yellow, pink or blue) diamonds are prized for their lack of body color. The closer a diamond crystal is to being colorless, the more valuable it is.
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The D to Z color scale devised by GIA assists in communicating the color grade of diamonds. D represents absolute colorless diamonds while Z indicates the most body color observed on this scale. Professionals use a set of master stones in a range of verified colors to compare with diamonds they are examining to assign its correct color grade.
Clarity expresses a diamonds absence or presence of internal and external characteristics, called inclusions, or blemishes. Since diamonds are a naturally occurring gemstone crystal, each stone will have its own distinct internal appearance. It's exceedingly rare for a diamond to occur without some inclusions.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has created the most universally accepted clarity grading system to standardize the way in which a diamond's clarity is expressed.
Clarity grading is conducted under a 10X magnification instrument. Keep in mind that inclusions may be light or dark in color. They may also be less or more prominent depending on their location within the stone. So a diamond in the SI range may be a very desirable stone if its identifying characteristics are not prominently located in the table facet or center of the stone, and particularly if the inclusions are not dark.
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F (Flawless)
Free from all inclusions & blemishes at 10X.
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IF (Internally Flawless)
No inclusions visible at 10x minor surface blemish.
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VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included)
Minute inclusions; extremely difficult to see at 10X.
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VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included)
Minute inclusions; very difficult to see at 10X.
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VS1 (Very Slightly Included)
Minor inclusions; difficult to see face up at 10X.
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VS2 (Very Slightly Included)
Minor inclusions; somewhat easy to see face up at 10X.
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SI1 (Slightly Included)
Noticeable inclusions; easy to see at 10X.
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SI2 (Slightly Included)
Noticeable inclusions; very easy to see at 10X.
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I1 (Imperfect)
Obvious inclusions at 10X visible to the unaided eye.
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I2 (Imperfect)
Obvious inclusions; easily visible to the unaided eye.
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I3 (Imperfect)
Prominent inclusions; extremely easy to see with the unaided eye.
The word carat is an expression of a diamonds weight, rather than its size. With a well cut diamond, we may also have an idea of its millimeter size when hearing the term "one carat" etc.
Carat weight is most popularly expressed in fractions, such as 1⁄2 carat. It may also be expressed in a points system where 100 points equals 1 carat. A .50 or 50 pointer means that the diamond is 1⁄2 carat.
When the quality components of a diamond are equal, the larger the carat weight, the more valuable it is. There is a direct relationship of increased size to rarity with all diamonds.
We have added a 5th C to our diamond evaluation system to show how important we feel confidence and trust is in every diamond transaction. Confidence and trust are earned attributes, and ones that we have faithfully acquired over the years–one diamond occasion at a time.
We know what's important to you and your customers, and we've committed ourselves to being there before, during and after the sale. Personal service and values set us apart from the competition and establish loyalty from each of our valued customers.
In this age of runaway technology, we still believe in personal one-on-one service. Just as every diamond is distinctive with its own unique traits–so are our customers. We are dedicated to maintaining that personal interaction to serve our customers by providing the highest level of customer care with diamonds that will be treasured for a lifetime.
That's what Confidence and Trust means to us–and what you can count on.
