18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Sirena Journey Pendant

Author:  //  Category: Women's Jewellery


18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Sirena Journey Pendant

Women’s Jewellery: 18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Sirena Journey Pendant

Sirena 18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Total Carat Weight Journey Diamond Pendant
Price: GBP 499.00

Please click here to order 18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Sirena Journey Pendant Now

18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Sirena Journey Pendant

Author:  //  Category: Women's Jewellery


18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Sirena Journey Pendant

Women’s Jewellery: 18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Sirena Journey Pendant

Sirena 18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Total Carat Weight Journey Diamond Pendant
Price: GBP 499.00

Please click here to order 18ct Yellow Gold 0.33ct Sirena Journey Pendant Now

Learn the 4 C’s of Diamonds: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

Click the Certificate link below to learn all about A.G.S – American Gem Society or the G.I.A – Gemological Institute America.

CUT…A diamond’s cut is not only about its shape, but how effectively the stone can return light back to the viewer’s eye. A well-cut diamond will appear very brilliant and fiery; while more poorly cut stones can appear dark and lifeless, regardless of color or clarity.

Color…When shopping for a diamond, it is generally preferred to have the least amount of color possible. Diamond color is divided into five broad categories:

Colorless: Diamonds within the colorless range are the most rare and valuable of all the colors. color stones display virtually no color, whereas colored diamonds will display a nearly undetected amount of color when viewed face down by a gemologist.

Near Colorless: Diamonds within the near colorless range appear colorless in the face up position, but do display a slight amount of color when viewed face down against a perfectly white background. This trace amount of color will be undetectable to an untrained eye once the diamond has been mounted. Near colorless diamonds offer a tremendous value for the money.

Understanding Fluorescence – How does it effect a diamond?

Some diamonds can display a visible light called fluorescence when exposed to an ultraviolet light source. This fluorescence will be measured as inert, faint, medium or strong. Blue fluorescence is most common, however diamonds can also fluoresce white, yellow, and orange (among other colors). Fluorescence usually has no effect on a diamonds appearance in regular light conditions. Strong blue fluorescence can make a yellow colored diamond appear more white, but in rare cases can cause a stone to appear milky or oily. This milky or oily effect is called an “over blue” and only applies to a small number of “strong” and “very strong” fluorescent stones.

Which Color should you Choose?

Most people find it very difficult (if not impossible) to tell the difference from one color grade to another. The difference in price, however, can be significant.However, you can find a tremendous value while still achieving a “colorless” look. Shopping on a budget or trying to maximize the size of your stone? If so then “J” diamonds are most affordable and still near colorless. You may also want to consider choosing a diamond with medium or strong fluorescence. Since these diamonds are discounted slightly in price you can often afford a higher color stone without paying the premium.

Angola

In 1998, the United Nations (UN) placed Angola under sanctions forbidding countries from buying diamonds from them. This was the first resolution of the UN which specifically mentioned diamonds in the context of funding war. Reports estimated that as much as 20% of total production in the 1990s were being sold for illicit purposes, and 15% were specifically conflict in nature.By 1999, the illicit diamond trade was estimated by the World Diamond Council to have been reduced to 3.06% of the world’s diamond production.The World Diamond Council reported that by 2004 this percentage had fallen to approximately 1%.

Angola is a former colony of Portugal and gained independence in 1975. Although independent, the country saw civil war between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (PMLA) faction, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) faction. During this war, diamonds were traded by rebel groups to fund their war. The UN recognized the role that diamonds played in funding the UNITA rebels, and in 1998 banned countries from buying diamonds from Angola. Today Angola’s civil war has ended and the country is now a legitimate part of the diamond trade.

Sierra Leone

In July 1999, following over eight years of civil conflict, negotiations between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front led to the signing of the Lome Peace Agreement under which the parties agreed to the cessation of hostilities, disarmament of all combatants and the formation of a government of national unity. The United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) helped facilitate the negotiations. In resolution 1270 of October 22, 1999, the Security Council established the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) to help create the conditions in which the parties could implement the Agreement. Subsequently, the number of personnel were increased and tasks to be carried out by UNAMSIL adjusted by the Council in resolutions 1289 of February 8, 2000 and 1299 of May 19, 2000, making UNAMSIL the second largest peacekeeping force currently deployed by the United Nations (the largest such contingent is in the Congo.

Following international concern at the role played by the illicit diamond trade in fueling conflict in Sierra Leone, the Security Council adopted resolution 1306 on July 5, 2000 imposing a ban on the direct or indirect import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone not controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone through a Certificate of Origin regime. An arms embargo and selective travel ban on non-governmental forces were already in effect under resolution 1171 of June 5, 1998.

On July 31, 2000 and August 1, 2000, Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1132 (1997) concerning Sierra Leone, presided over the first ever exploratory public hearing by the Security Council in New York. The hearing was attended by representatives of interested Member States, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, the diamond industry and other relevant experts. The hearing exposed the link between the trade in illicit Sierra Leone diamonds and trade in arms and related material. The ways and means for developing a sustainable and well-regulated diamond industry in Sierra Leone were also discussed.

As called for by resolution 1306 of July 5, 2000, the Secretary-General, on August 2, 2000, established a Panel of Experts, to collect information on possible violations of the arms embargo and the link between trade in diamonds and trade in arms and related material, consider the adequacy of air traffic control systems in the West African region for the purpose of detecting flights suspected of contravening the arms embargo, and report to the Council with observations and recommendations on ways of strengthening the arms and diamonds embargoes no later than October 3, 2000. The Chairman of the Panel was Martin Chungong Ayafor (Cameroon). The other members were Atabou Bodian (Senegal), Johan Peleman (Belgium), Harjit Singh Sandhu (India) and Ian Smillie (Canada). The Panel submitted its report to the Security Council on December 19, 2000. On January 25, 2001 the Security Council, at its 4264th meeting, considered the report of the panel of experts.

Diamond revenues in Sierra Leone have increased more than tenfold since the end of the conflict, from $10 million in 2000 to about $130 million in 2004,although from 1989 to 2003 Liberia was engaged in a civil war. In 2000, the UN accused Liberian president Charles G. Taylor of supporting the RUF insurgency in Sierra Leone with weapons and training in exchange for diamonds. In 2001 the UN applied sanctions on the Liberian diamond trade. In August 2003 Taylor stepped down as president, and after being exiled to Nigeria, now faces trial in the Hague. On July 21, 2006 he pleaded not guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Liberia today is at peace and is attempting to construct a legitimate diamond mining industry. The UN has lifted sanctions and Liberia is now a member of the Kimberley process.

How Much Should Diamond Earrings Cost?

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

The cost of Diamond Earrings is dependent, first of all, on the value of the diamonds used for the Diamond Earrings. This means the diamonds should have great color, clarity that indicates how pure the diamond is, a satisfactory carat weight (which shows the weight of the diamond), and most importantly, have an excellent cut.

Once you have gauged the diamonds of your Diamond Earrings this way, you can examine your prospective purchase based on the certification granted by reputable gemological laboratories about the diamonds themselves. This leads you to an understanding of how much your Diamond Earrings should be worth once you factor in the market value of the diamonds into the equation.

Let’s face it, some diamonds have higher value than others. This tells us that some Diamond Earrings have better value than others as well. So you might be surprised that a more ornately-designed set of Diamond Earrings is priced lower than a simpler set of Diamond Earrings. The answer to the puzzle is that the diamonds of the simpler set have a higher value than the diamonds of the more ornate set. The final design may affect value of the Diamond Earrings somewhat but it is the base value of your diamonds that is really, really important.

When you are trying to look for Diamond Earrings to buy, the reputation of the retailer is another important consideration to factor in. A reputable retailer who sells just a few Diamond Earrings per week stands to survive longer in the cut-throat jewelry retail business than a retailer who cuts corners when it comes to producing and retailing Diamond Earrings. That is the whole point of good jewelry – you have to put tender loving care not just into making the jewelry but also in selling them. That is why those jewelers who sell quality Diamond Earrings can expect word-of-mouth referrals to help them sell more of those quality Diamond Earrings in the future. A jeweler who sells sub-standard Diamond Earrings should not be surprised that customers will bypass his store in favor of a jeweler who sells great Diamond Earrings then.

Once you seem to have found a reputable Diamond Earrings retailer, ask if he offers a money-back guarantee. This is like a warranty for a car – it gives you assurance that if the Diamond Earrings you bought do not meet your standards you can still have the set exchanged for a good set of Diamond Earrings. Another important consideration when seeking a Diamond Earrings retailer is if the retailer allows the diamonds in the earrings set to be changed or even upgraded later on. Sometimes, the recipient of our gift may want to upgrade the value of their Diamond Earrings so it would be nice if the diamonds could be upgraded – it is the diamonds after all which are the basis of the value of the jewelry.

Another factor that goes into your selection of Diamond Earrings to buy is “does this retailer provide after-sales service?” This means that if, for some reason or another, your diamond pops out of the setting in the earring then the retailer will take back the Diamond Earrings to fix the diamond back in its setting and make sure it is 100% secure this time.

Do not forget though that Diamond Earrings are like icing on a cake – it is the love that went into selecting the Diamond Earrings that really counts the most, not the financial value of the jewelry.

6 Handy Tips on Buying the Right Diamonds

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

Believe it a not; there are jewelers who are unable to differentiate a diamond cut from a diamond shape. Everyone is so hyped up about the carat weight and has totally forgotten about the other 3 characteristics of a diamond. It won’t take you years or months to learn something about diamond. There are plenty of articles and information on the 4C of a diamond. Spend some useful time in the library or internet and learn about diamonds. Who knows, you may become an expert in diamonds. 1. Prioritize the 4 characteristics There are much more about diamonds than just the 4Cs. But at the end of the day, the 4Cs are still the major factors influencing the quality and price of a diamond. Before you start prioritizing the 4Cs, you got to know what your girl actually likes about a diamond. If she like big one, go for a diamond with big carat weight but with poorer quality in terms of color, cut or clarity. If she likes the brilliance of a diamond and doesn’t mind the size, choose one with excellent cut and clarity. Whichever the case is, prioritizing the 4Cs will give you a better idea of what diamonds will suit her taste as well as your budget. 2. Do a price research Based on your list, you should have a rough estimate of the market price of the diamond you are looking for. If the price is out of your budget, try going for a grade lower than your expectation and you may eventually find one that suits you well. 3. Do some background research on the jewelry stores If you have been doing researching, you would have come across information on cubic zirconium diamonds. These synthetic diamonds are D-color graded, flawless and cut to perfection. In short, a CZ diamond is a ‘perfect’ diamond. It is brilliant, flawless and yet cheap. Their prices do not increase exponentially with their quality unlike diamonds. And there are also some natural diamonds which have undergone treatments to reduce its blemishes thus enhanced its appearance. It is still a low grade diamond and dishonest dealers may try to pass it off as a good graded diamond and sell you at a higher price. So, before you start swiping your hard-earned money away, do some research about the jeweler as well. Ask your family, relatives or friend who have purchased from the dealer. Online forum is a good place to ask around and there are plenty of sites that provide reviews on jewelry store online. Give the jewelry store a call, talk to their staffs and decide for yourself if you are comfortable with the store. 4. Always ask for a money back guarantee There are risks in very form of transactions, so do buying diamonds. Protect yourself and minimize any risks by making sure that the store has the complete details about their return policy. It should include information about the validity period, what to do if you wish to return your purchase and their address. As a rule of thumb, online stores should offer you no less than 21 days return policy. In fact, most of them have a return policy of 30 days. 5. Choose jewelers who provide grading reports Certified diamonds will come along with a grading report by reputable gemology organizations such as GIA or AGS. Some online jewelry stores certified their diamond by in-house gemologists and they may be using different grading standards from GIA or AGS, while others may not provide the grading reports. Diamonds from top online jewelry stores generally comes accompanied with a grading report. After you have purchased your diamond, you should get it appraised again with the grading report by a trained gemologist. The grading report will be very helpful in ascertaining whether the diamond you have bought is up to the specifications shown on the report.

About the author: Mr. P Sharma is the owner of the Diamonds and Diamond Jewellery (http://djewels.org), a website that offers reviews on online jewelry stores selling diamonds and diamond jewelry.

 

How to Select a Loose Diamond??

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

Diamonds, known for their beauty and durability, were, until late, almost always seen in various jewelry facets alone- diamond earrings, diamond rings, diamond necklaces, diamond pendants. With the jewelry trend leaning towards personalized jewelry more and more people took resort in loose diamonds. In the present fashion era, loose diamonds hold a very high prized position in the market due to the convenience of molding them into any desired facet.Though it is easy to select loose diamonds, there are certain things that one should check for before deciding on what would be the final purchase. One thing that needs to be studied and decided is the kind of diamond that is to be searched. Will it be a round diamond or a princess diamond or an emerald diamond? What will be the color and clarity of the diamond? What will be its carat weight? And the like.While round diamonds is by far the most preferred choice the cushion diamonds and radiant diamonds are also speeding up in popularity. The shape of the diamond is absolutely a matter of personal tastes but the cut of a diamond must be such that it brings out maximum radiance and brilliance. Also the choice of the cut depends on one’s budget. As far as the clarity of a diamond is concerned, it need not always be a flawless diamond; a clarity grade in which the inclusions of a diamond are not clearly visible to the naked eye is good. But obviously, more the clarity more will be the price of the diamonds.The carat weight of the diamond is again a matter of choice. Depending on the budget one maintains and the size one wishes to have, the determination of the carat weight might differ.Once decided on all these points you are ready for your purchase. And with so many online diamond portals, the process of purchasing loose diamonds has been simplified further. All you need to check with after deciding the kind of diamond you wish to possess is to see that you buy certified loose diamonds. The certificate of a diamond marks its credibility. Also it helps in insuring the diamond.There are various independent gem laboratories that issue certificates for diamonds such as GIA, AGS, EGL and the like. GIA being the most recognized of all labs, GIA certified loose diamonds command maximum price. Following these are the AGS certified loose diamonds and the EGL certified loose diamonds. B2cjewels.com is an online shopping site which presents to you certified loose diamonds in all shapes and grades as per your requirement.

Certified Loose Diamondswww.b2cjewels.com

 

 

Jewelry Appraiser ServicesTips for Buying Big Diamonds on a Small Budget

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

Few diamond shoppers can walk into a high-end jewelry store and buy a 5-carat, D color, Internally Flawless diamond with Ideal cut parameters. If you are like most diamond shoppers, you have a limited budget. However, you still want to get the biggest and most beautiful diamond within your budget. You can take some simple steps that will ensure you get the biggest diamond possible.

1) Diamonds have price per carat increases at the most popular carat weights (0.50, 1.00, 1.25, 1.50, 2.00, etc.) because that is what shoppers request when they go into a jewelry store. Your dollars can go further buying a diamond that has a carat weight just under those weights. For example, a diamond that weighs 0.90 carats can be the same millimeter diameter as a diamond weighing 1.00 carat but cost $1000 less.

2) The price of diamonds is very sensitive to color grade, yet most shoppers have a difficult time seeing the difference between some of the color grades. If you buy the lowest color grade that looks beautiful to your eyes, the lower price per carat allows you to buy a bigger diamond with your dollars. The highest color grades (D, E, and F) are categorized as “colorless.” The next color grades (G, H, I, and J) are “near colorless” and the source of beautiful diamonds at much lower prices.

3) A ring with several smaller diamonds is less expensive than a single diamond with the same total carat weight. For example, three 0.50 carat diamonds will cost a fraction of what a single diamond weighing 1.50 carats. The same holds true for a 1.0-carat center stone with 0.25-carat diamonds on each side. If you want a finger full of diamonds with a limited budget, consider several diamonds rather than a solitaire.

4) All diamonds have inclusions; the key is what you can see with your eye. Once a diamond is clean to the eye (VS2 or good SI1 for brilliant cut shapes), higher clarity grades have no impact on the beauty or appearance of a diamond, they only add to the expense. Get the lowest clarity grade you are comfortable with and save a lot of money will no sacrifice in beauty.

5) The shape of the diamond can affect the millimeter size. Of course, you should always get the diamond shape you like best but some shapes do look larger than other shapes. Ovals, marquises and pear shaped diamonds generally look larger than round or square diamonds with the same carat weight.

6) Even diamonds with the same shape and carat weight can be different sizes. The cut of the diamond can influence the millimeter size. Shallower diamonds tend to be bigger in length and width than deeper diamonds. It is similar to two men each weighing 200 pounds, where the smaller waistline probably results in a taller man.

7) The type of setting you select to hold your diamond can influence the diamond’s perceived size as well as affect the dollars you have to spend on the diamond. White gold settings cost about one-third of platinum settings, leaving more money for your diamond. Bezel set diamonds or diamonds with pave around the center stone can make the diamond appear bigger.

8) Perhaps the most important factor in getting the biggest diamond for your dollars is where you purchase. The retail markup on diamonds can range from well under 10% with online retailers to over 200% at high-end jewelry stores. Finding a retailer with very low overhead and low prices will ensure more of your dollars go for your diamond. Why spend your money for polished marble floors, fancy display cabinets, and elaborate store interiors, all things you cannot wear out of the store?

In the end, you want to go with the diamond that excites you and makes you happy every time you wear it. That is the best indicator that you have made the right decision and have the best diamond for you.

The 4c’s of Diamond Grading

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

A certificate is not the same thing as an appraisal.  A certificate describes the quality of a diamond, but it does not place a monetary value on the gem.  An appraisal places a monetary value on your diamond, but does not certify the quality of the diamond.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the American Gem Society (AGS), and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) are the three most widely known and respected diamond grading laboratories in the world.  Each of the grading laboratories have developed a very similar nomenclature for identifying the 4 C’s of diamonds.  The 4 C’s stand for Carat, Color, Clarity, and Cut.  We will also discuss the Shape of diamonds in this article.

Carat Grading

The weight or size of a diamond is measured in carats.  A carat is 0.2 grams or 200 milligrams and is always referenced within 2 decimal points.  This is a highly accurate grading scale used to determine the weight or size of a diamond.

Color Grading

 D to Z 

All diamonds are compared against to an internationally accepted set of master stones and ranges from totally colorless (D) to pale yellow or brown color (Z).  Brown diamonds darker than K color are usually described using their letter grade, and a descriptive phrase, for example M Faint Brown.  Diamonds with more depth of color than Z color fall into the fancy color diamond range.

Color grades D through F are naturally the most valuable and expensive because of their rarity.  Color G through I will show virtually no visible color to the untrained eye.  Selecting the right jewelry to mount the diamond in can minimize color grade J through M.

The coloration of diamonds can be caused by several factors.  Impurities trapped in the diamond during its formation, the crystal lattice structure of the diamond, and the exposure to radiation can all lead to the wide verity of colors available in diamonds.

Clarity Grading

Clarity is determined by the number of blemishes on the surfaces of the diamond and the number of inclusions such as air bubbles, cracks, and foreign material inside of the diamond.  When both terms are being referenced the term defects is usually referenced.  Nature rarely produces anything that is with out defects and this hold true for diamonds.  Most diamonds will have some type of defect or flaw.

When grading the Clarity of a diamond it is necessary to observe the number and the nature of any internal defects in the stone.  The size and position of the defects are also taken into account.  A diamond is said to be Internally Flawless (I.F) when it presents no internal defects under 10x magnification by an experienced eye of laboratory gemologists.

A diamond is said to be Very Very Slightly included (V.V.S.1 to V.V.S.2) when it presents defects that are very difficult to locate under 10x magnification. A diamond is said to be Very Slightly Included (V.S.1 to V.S.2) when it presents defects that are difficult to locate under 10x magnification.

A diamond is said to be Slightly Included (S.I.1 to S.I.2) when it presents defects that are easy to locate under 10x magnification.

A diamond is said to be Imperfect (P.1 to I.1) when it presents defects that are hard to locate with the naked eye.

A diamond is said to be Imperfect (P.2 to I.2) when it presents defects that are easy to locate with the naked eye.

A diamond is said to be Imperfect (P.3 to I.3) when it presents defects that are very easy to locate with the naked eye.

Cut Grading

The symmetry and proportions of a diamond cut determine the life, brilliance and light dispersion.  If any of these cutting factors are below standard then the appearance of the diamond will be adversely affected.

The cut of a diamond has nothing to do with the shape of the diamond.  The cut refers to the diamond’s reflective qualities.  A good cut give the diamond it brilliance or the ability to handle light in a pleasing fashion.  The brightness will seem to come from the very heart of a diamond.

When a ray of light touches the surface of a diamond, part of the light is reflected back, this is external reflection.  The rest of the ray penetrates the stone and is then reflected toward the center of the diamond. This is known as refraction.  The ray of light is reflected to the surface, where it is seen as the colors of the spectrum. This is known as dispersion.

If light enters the diamond through to top or table and then leaks out from the sides or bottom instead of reflecting back to the eye, then the diamond will seen to have less brilliance and fire.  A diamonds cut is the most important of the four Cs.  If all of the rest of the grading scale is at the higher end of the spectrum and the cut has been utilized to maximize the size of the diamond then a very poor quality stone rill be the result.  Happily this trend in size instead of quality is no longer prevalent in the diamond market.  Today standard mathematical algorithms are used to determine the best cut for any shape diamond. Shape

The shape of diamond will fall into one of several standard categories but there are many variations on each standard categories.  Basic categories include Round, Emerald, Pear, Heart, Marquise, Oval, and Princess cuts.

 Round 

The standard for the diamond shape and is used in most engagement rings.

 Emerald 

Rectangular or square step cut with diagonally cut corners.  Usually has 2 to 4 rows of parallel facets to the center of the stone.  A very popular style of cut used for Emeralds hence the name.

 Pear 

Pear or teardrop in shape and may or may not have a large flat surface in the center of the stone.  This stone is usually cut to have about 56 to 58 facets.

 Heart 

Heart in shape and if a shield shaped cutlet is present (flat center) then it will usually have 32 crown facets.  If no culet is present then 24 pavilion facets is the norm.

 Marquise 

Oval in shape with curving sides and pointed ends and was developed in France in the mid 1700s.  May have been named after the Marquise de Pompador, who was a mistress of King Louis XV.

 Oval 

Oval in shape and covered with triangular facets.

 Princess 

Very popular square or modified rectangular shape.  There are many variations of crown and pavilion facets cuts on the market.

Is it Safe to Buy Diamonds Online?

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

So, is it safe to buy diamonds online? Yes and no. It is only safe if you follow these essential and simple rules:

EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT DIAMONDS

This may sound like an obvious tip but it is very important to understand the differences between diamonds. All diamonds vary based on four characteristics that you should be aware of. They are commonly known as the 4 C’s:

CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONLINE RETAILER

Only buy from a reputable online retailer that only sells certified diamonds. The most common certifications are GIA and AGS. The certificate will ensure that you are getting the 4 Cs that the vendor advertised. You can research a certain online retailer’s reputation by looking at their reviews. For Canada, http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/ratings/retailers/  provides an excellent source of reviews. Due to possible customs charges, outlandish shipping fees and possible legal warranties, it may be better to make the purchase from a retailer that is based in your country. It is also important to confirm that the vendor offers a 100% free 30 days return policy. That is the norm for good online retailers of certified diamonds. 

LAST MINUTE TIP

Finally, we always recommend making your purchase through a credit card. If you have problems with a retailer and have exhausted all possible recourses with the company, it may be possible to fall on your credit card company for assistance. For example, VISA and MasterCard both offer purchase and fraud protection for certain tiers of their credit cards. Consult your credit card issuer for actual terms of service and carefully read the insurance policies as some clauses exclude protection for jewelry.

Http://TheDiamondBuyingGuide.ca

What is a Good Diamond Cut?

Author:  //  Category: Diamond Articles

Rough diamonds can be cut by experts to virtually any shape and size

 

Some of the most popular shapes are round, oval, princess, emerald, marquise, pear, heart, triangle and radiant. The cut of a polished diamond is the only human contribution to its beauty, fire and brilliance.

Because of its extraordinary ability to reflect light, the round brilliant diamond is the most popular shape today.

 

Cut determines amount of reflected light that exits through the top of a diamond. The better the cut, the more light exits through the top, the more brilliant and beautiful the diamond.

 

Is cut important? Many gemologists consider cut to be the most important diamond characteristic:

 

 

So, why don’t we hear more about cut? Diamond sellers prefer to talk about carat weight, color and clarity. That’s because those measures are relatively simple to explain:

 

 

Even the most reputable gemological laboratories try to avoid grading cut. In fact, only the AGS (American Gemological Society) has an established system for grading cut. Hopefully, the GIA, EGL, UGL will follow their lead.

 

How is cut graded? First, let’s look at the parts of a diamond that are considered when evaluating cut:

Diameterthe width of the diamond as measured through the girdleTablethe largest facet of a diamondCrownthe top portion of the diamond; the crown extends from the girdle to the tableGirdlethe narrow band around the widest part of the diamond; the girdle separates the crown from the pavilionPavilionthe bottom portion of the diamond; the pavilion extends from the girdle to the culetCuletthe facet at the tip of the diamond; diamonds of excellent cut have culets that are invisible to the naked eyeDepththe height of the diamond; depth is measured from the table to the culetTo determine the diamond’s cut grade:

 

 

The symmetry of the diamond is evaluated The final cut grade of the diamond is determined by its weakest component. For example, an ‘extremely thin’ girdle will result in a poor cut grade, even if every other measurement is ideal.

 

Remember: Only about 3% of polished diamonds are ideal cuts. They are exquisite and rare gems that reflect back 96% or more of the light that enters through the table.

 

No other diamond characteristic has so much impact on price!

 

To see a different types of diamond cuts please visit http://www.diamondswest.com