General Rules...
A diamond’s beauty, rarity, and price depend on the interplay of the 4 C’s: cut, clarity,
color, carat
Diamonds with the highest rating in each of these categories are increasingly rare
and more expensive
No one characteristic is more important than another in terms of appearance and
quality
Ensure the highest quality diamond and one considered in the top 1% of all
diamonds in the world at the Signature Collection
A diamond’s beauty, rarity, and price depend on the interplay of the 4 C’s: cut, clarity,
color, carat
Diamonds with the highest rating in each of these categories are increasingly rare
and more expensive
No one characteristic is more important than another in terms of appearance and
quality
Ensure the highest quality diamond and one considered in the top 1% of all
diamonds in the world at the Signature Collection
CUT
|
This is a table of characteristics that describe a diamond cut that
should be ideally obtained. This should be a good reference
when assessing a round diamond.
Be watchful, because each society provides different criteria as to
their grading of "ideal","very good","good", "fair","poor". In fact, the
GIA no longer provides a grade to the cut, but provides
dimensions alone. If you do need better guidance an excellent
reference is their former grading system can be consulted:
should be ideally obtained. This should be a good reference
when assessing a round diamond.
Be watchful, because each society provides different criteria as to
their grading of "ideal","very good","good", "fair","poor". In fact, the
GIA no longer provides a grade to the cut, but provides
dimensions alone. If you do need better guidance an excellent
reference is their former grading system can be consulted:
CLARITY
Stay AWAY from I1, I2, I3 (Included clarity) diamonds! These can be visible with the naked eye.
It is important to keep in mind that some inclusions may be able to be hidden behind a part of the mounting.
You can substantially reduce the cost of a diamond if you see that the inclusion will be hidden behind the
mounting and not affect the beauty of the diamond. On the other hand, an inclusion on the middle or top of
the diamond can affect the dispersion of light and make a diamond appear less brilliant.
You can get an excellent value with diamonds that have Slight Inclusions (SI1, SI2, SI3), but you should
consult with the dealer as to whether any of the inclusions can be visible to the naked eye and if so, will they
be able to hidden by the mounting.
It is important to keep in mind that some inclusions may be able to be hidden behind a part of the mounting.
You can substantially reduce the cost of a diamond if you see that the inclusion will be hidden behind the
mounting and not affect the beauty of the diamond. On the other hand, an inclusion on the middle or top of
the diamond can affect the dispersion of light and make a diamond appear less brilliant.
You can get an excellent value with diamonds that have Slight Inclusions (SI1, SI2, SI3), but you should
consult with the dealer as to whether any of the inclusions can be visible to the naked eye and if so, will they
be able to hidden by the mounting.
COLOR
Unless you are looking for a “fancy-colored” diamond, you should stick with the D-J colored diamonds and avoid
K-Z colored diamonds.
Do not be fooled into thinking fluorescence is a desired quality in a diamond. This property can actually
decrease (but sometimes enhance) the value of a diamond.
In general, diamonds of D-H color should be obtained without fluorescence, because this property can make a
near colorless grade diamond appear slightly hazy or oily and decrease the value. Diamonds below H color with
fluorescence may actually appear whiter in a light with a UV component and this is because blue is
complimentary to yellow. This will then enhance the value of the diamond.
K-Z colored diamonds.
Do not be fooled into thinking fluorescence is a desired quality in a diamond. This property can actually
decrease (but sometimes enhance) the value of a diamond.
In general, diamonds of D-H color should be obtained without fluorescence, because this property can make a
near colorless grade diamond appear slightly hazy or oily and decrease the value. Diamonds below H color with
fluorescence may actually appear whiter in a light with a UV component and this is because blue is
complimentary to yellow. This will then enhance the value of the diamond.
CARAT
There are four important things to remember when determining the carat:
1)Style of diamond
2)Finger size
3)Setting size
4)Budget (of course!)
Remember, the carat is NOT the most important feature of a diamond. The other characteristics (C's) of a diamond
are just as important to obtain the best quality! This can be hard to keep in mind when a dealer emphasize the
carat (not to mention your loved one!)
A jewelry piece with multiple diamonds that total one carat weight is NOT as valuable as a single diamond of one
carat weight. Some retailers will publish the total carat weight and fool a consumer into believing this..
1)Style of diamond
2)Finger size
3)Setting size
4)Budget (of course!)
Remember, the carat is NOT the most important feature of a diamond. The other characteristics (C's) of a diamond
are just as important to obtain the best quality! This can be hard to keep in mind when a dealer emphasize the
carat (not to mention your loved one!)
A jewelry piece with multiple diamonds that total one carat weight is NOT as valuable as a single diamond of one
carat weight. Some retailers will publish the total carat weight and fool a consumer into believing this..
RING SIZE
The finger size can change throughout the day and taking measurements at the end of day generally
ensures the largest dimension.
Want to surprise someone special without asking their ring size?
Easy! Sneak out one of their rings and place it over a tapered candlestick and mark the point at which the ring
cannot progress down the shaft any further. Take a string and measure this diameter and match to the table.
ensures the largest dimension.
Want to surprise someone special without asking their ring size?
Easy! Sneak out one of their rings and place it over a tapered candlestick and mark the point at which the ring
cannot progress down the shaft any further. Take a string and measure this diameter and match to the table.
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Diamond Buying Guide
Diamond Education Center