Diamond Guide

When making a diamond purchase, it is important to understand how diamonds are classified. Please take a moment to read over these brief descriptions regarding cut, color, clarity and carat.

CUT

Cut is one of the most important factors in buying a diamond. The term "cut" can mean many things. It is used to describe the shape, as diamonds can be cut into almost any shape. But in terms of a diamonds value, cut refers to the way a diamond is faceted and accounts for 50% of a diamonds value. When a diamond is cut to excellent proportions, light enters the stone and is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone with optimal light performance. A round diamond's cut grade indicates how well a diamond's proportions work together to reflect light. Design and craftsmanship are critical to a diamond's overall cut quality, making cut the only human contribution to the diamond's beauty. Weight ratio, durability, polish and symmetry are all attributes in a round diamond's cut grade.

COLOR

Color in a diamond is graded on a scale that ranges from D which is totally colorless to Z which is a pale yellow or brown color. Colorless diamonds D-F are rare and only make up a small portion of all mined diamonds. Most jewelry contains diamonds in the near-colorless range G-J.

Diamonds can be found in variety of other colors including red, purple, pink, green, orange, yellow, blue, brown and black. Their color is more saturated than a Z color diamond so therefore they are not graded on the normal color scale but rather based on the hue, tone and saturation of their color.

CLARITY

The clarity grade of a diamond is given based on its internal natural characteristics. Most diamonds have internal marks, known as inclusions, and external surface traits called blemishes. These clarity characteristics are evaluated based on the number, nature, size, location and color of each mark. These characteristics are also used to distinguish one diamond from another. A diamond's inclusions are like a fingerprint, making each diamond unique.

CARAT

Diamonds are weighed on a scale of metric carats, abbreviated "ct." A carat is broken down into 100 points, so when you see a diamond weight of 1.45ct., it means one carat and 45 points (or just under 1 and a half carats). The larger a diamond is, the more rare it is.

If you have any additional questions or you would like to make an appointment to learn more about diamonds, please contact us.