My Pink Diamonds

Deciding to propose to the special somebody in your life is a huge decision, one that will lead you down a path of even more decisions. Of course, the first thing that needs to be decided after you’ve decided to propose is what type of engagement ring to get. Between diamonds and settings there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming. Hopefully this can be cleared up.
The Diamond
While you’re probably more than familiar with the 4 C’s of diamonds, there are other things to consider when choosing a diamond, chief amongst them, the shape. Here we’ll focus on the shape and two of the C’s; cut and carat. Clarity and color can be saved for another day.
The Shape
With so many shapes out there it can be confusing as to the actual differences, so let’s simply talk about each of them and their individual merits.
• Round – the most basic of diamonds, and the only shape not considered “fancy,” this shape is very much how it sounds – a rounded diamond in the shape of a circle.
• Princess – arguably the most popular shape, this squared diamond has only grown in popularity while still being a relatively new shape. The princess diamond tends to find its way into solitaire engagement rings more than any of the other shapes.
• Emerald – a rectangular shaped diamond, this shape is reflective of a classic and aristocratic elegance. Unlike other diamonds, the emerald shaped diamond is not a brilliant cut but rather a step cut, being comprised of larger, planar facets that resemble stair steps and act like mirrors.
• Marquise – long and slender, this shape, originally commissioned by Louis XIV of France, is wonderful for maximizing the carat within the setting. The marquise shape will accentuate the length of the fingers and works well on a person with longer fingers.
• Oval – as the name implies, this diamond shape is a very simple oval. This shape works very well with smaller hands and shorter fingers, giving them the illusion of added length.
• Pear – a hybrid shape combining the best elements of the oval and marquise shapes, it resembles nothing so much as a teardrop. Typically used in pendants and earrings, this shape compliments short to average length fingers, helping to give the illusion of longer fingers much like the oval shaped diamond does.
• Heart – essentially a pear shaped diamond with a cleft at the top, the heart shaped diamond is the ultimate symbol of romance. This shaped diamond is frequently seen in pendants but is more than acceptable as a choice in a ring.
• Radiant – this square or rectangular shaped diamond does an excellent job of combining the elegant and classic appeal of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round shape.
• Trillion – a wedge of brilliant fire, the trillion shaped diamond was first developed in Amsterdam. Traditionally a triangle shaped diamond, the amount of point at the corners is often open for interpretation, but these diamonds work well as both a compliment to a center stone, a unique center stone in themselves, or as a pair of earrings.
• Baguette – very reminiscent of the emerald shaped diamond, this shape of diamond is frequently used as side stones to a larger center stone. Much like the emerald shaped diamond, the baguette shape doesn’t feature nearly the sparkle of brilliant shaped diamonds, but does offer a classic beauty that is hard to match.
The shape is only the first part of what to look for, at least initially, when considering a diamond for an engagement ring.
The Carat
Carats are essentially a way to measure the weight of diamonds. While the use of the carat measuring system may date back to ancient Oriental bazaars and the carob seed, in the present we know that the more carats in the diamond, the bigger it is.
While the size of the diamond that you get can be determinate on a number of factors, not the least of which is cost, the Setting and Mounting that you choose can also have an influence on the size of the diamond that you get for your ring.
The Cut
Of the 4 C’s of a diamond, the cut is the only part that is actually influenced by humans, nature getting to decide on the carat, clarity, and color of an individual diamond. Cut refers to the angles and proportions a jeweler creates when taking a rough diamond and transforming it into a beautiful, polished diamond. The cut of the diamond should not be confused with the shape of the diamond. A well cut diamond will reflect light from one mirrored facet to another internally, finally dispersing and reflecting the light through the top of the stone, giving it that sparkle that diamonds are beloved for.
There are a few ways that diamonds are graded for their cut, all of which are influenced by the diameter, table, crown, girdle, pavilion, cutlet, and depth of the stone, and those include:
• Ideal – this is the best cut available and represents the top 15% of all diamond cuts. The ideal cut carries with it the highest possible grades of symmetry and polish and should be sought after when looking for the best available diamonds.
• Very Good – diamonds graded at very good are still nothing short of amazing, but they do tend to trade in some of the brilliance seen in an ideal diamond cut for added size. While a more cost-effective option, they may tend to move outside the appearance range for some buyers. Very good diamonds represent the top 25% of diamond cuts.
• Good Cut – representing the top 35% of diamond cuts, good cut diamonds are still quality cuts, but they will show a significant lack of brilliance when compared to very good and ideal cut diamonds, however, they are significantly more cost-effective than either very good or ideal cut diamonds, making them more accessible.
• Fair & Poor – these cuts of diamond simply fail to reflect a sufficient amount of the light that enters them. Usually found in discount or promotional jewelry, it is nearly impossible to find these diamond cuts at any quality seller of diamonds and engagement rings.
The Setting
As important as the diamond is, the Setting may be just as important. You can have a great diamond, but put that diamond into the wrong Setting and it can lose a lot of its luster and appeal. While there aren’t nearly as many Setting types as there are shapes and cuts of diamonds, there are enough that when combined with the diamond cuts and shapes you have enough combinations to make choosing tricky.
The Setting
• Prong – arguably the most common setting, the prong setting is commonly known as the Tiffany setting. Small metal prongs, typically 4 or 6, are used to clasp over the diamond and keep it in place within the setting while giving an optimal view of the diamond at all angles. When choosing this setting it’s wise to consider which metal you’ll be choosing as you may want something stronger than gold, such as Palladium or Platinum, to ensure that your diamond doesn’t come out of the setting.
• Channel – in this setting the stones are placed between vertical walls of metal, side by side, with no metal separating the diamonds from each other. With the diamonds sunk into the ring itself they are nearly flush with the surface of the ring. This setting is considered both very contemporary and very classic and allows one to achieve a number of looks. This setting is very popular in wedding rings and anniversary bands.
• Basket – similar to the prong setting, but instead of just the prongs holding the diamond in place there is an additional band of metal that secures the prongs to help reduce any movement of the prongs and ensure the security of the diamond within the setting.
• Bar – with the bar setting, diamonds are placed between bars of metal that run perpendicular to the band of the engagement ring. This setting is a very contemporary look that allows for excellent display of the diamonds.
• Pave – with the pave setting many small gemstones are placed inside of tapered holes to create a “paved” appearance. The diamonds are typically set in white gold to help create a sparkle finish that will bring the stones to prominence.
• Bezel – this setting involves placing the diamond in a mount that comes up and envelopes the diamond. Without any prongs, this mount is great for those that lead an active lifestyle, don’t want to worry about scratching themselves or others, or for those whose job requires that they wear latex gloves on a regular basis. Bezel settings can have straight edges, scalloped edges, or can be molded to any shape to accommodate varying stones.
• Half-Bezel – similar in design to the bezel setting. The half-bezel setting does not completely surround the diamond, allowing additional light to reach the stone and create a higher degree of brilliance.
• Tension – This type of setting uses the ring itself as the entire mounting, eschewing the use of prongs. Typically employing stronger metals and a thicker band to help maintain the tension on the stone, this setting does an excellent job of highlighting the diamond by giving it the appearance of floating within the ring.
As you can see, there are more than enough options to make choosing that perfect diamond engagement ring tricky, so now that you’re aware of the options here’s some advice on getting the ring that she’ll love and cherish for as long as you’re together.
• Talk to Her – find out what it is she wants from a ring. Does she want a solitaire ring or has she had her heart set on a three stone diamond ring since she was a little girl? Is it princess shape or no shape, or will she be happy with anything as long as it comes from you? Is there a particular metal that she would prefer for the actual band of the ring?
• Be Aware of Your Budget – sure, tradition says you’re supposed to spend two months salary on the ring, but depending on what your salary is that could mean you’re also not eating for a couple of weeks. Be realistic with yourself when you start shopping for a ring, get her what she wants, but also make sure that you won’t have to take out a second mortgage just to buy the ring she’s wanted since she was 12 years old.
• Show Her What You’re Looking At – if you’re ready to propose the odds are pretty good that she’s ready for you to propose. If the proposal is no secret then have her help you pick out the ring, or propose with a small, inexpensive ring and then take her with you to pick out her real engagement ring. That way you can be sure that she gets what she wants.
• Talk to an Expert – You might be surprised that the person behind the counter at the store or checking email online is actually an expert. If you’re not sure just know that it’s better to ask questions then to get it wrong. Tell those experts about how your better half lives, what they’ve mentioned they’d want in a ring, what they do for a living. All those things can give the person you’re talking to a better idea of what kind of diamond engagement ring would work best for the most important person in your life.
Picking out an engagement ring can be intimidating. Between the diamonds and the settings there are more options than is really reasonable to look at. Knowing what your better half wants can help narrow down that list and ensure that you get the ring that will have her saying yes over and over again.

Diamond Cut: The Basics – Cut, Part 1 – Facet StructureChapter 4Having a well-grounded understanding of a diamond’s facet structure is critical to gaining a full understanding of cut. In this chapter, we are going to breakdown the facet structure of a round diamond and discuss the basic purposes of the facets of the diamond. In the following chapters, we will be taking each shape, with its unique facet structure and discussing it, its cut, what measurements, angle combinations, and facet lengths bring out the stone’s beauty. THE CROWNThe Table FacetFigure 4.1

The table facet is the largest facet on the diamond. It is common to all main-stream shapes (Round, Square, Cushion, Pear, Marquise, etc.), and cut patterns produced in the market. The major function of the table facet is to allow light to enter the diamond through the top. Since a diamond’s sparkle is actually light that is being reflected up out of the diamond, it is critical that large amounts of light be able to ender directly into the diamond. In order to allow a maximum amount of light to enter the stone directly, a large, flat facet on the top of the diamond is essential.The “perfect” table size has been a topic of fierce discussion and debate between experts over the years, with each side being deeply entrenched in their own opinions. As with many areas of diamond cut, many of the experts’ positions overlap, showing that there is a certain amount of veracity and consistence to each of their arguments. Rather than to take a stance with any one school of thought, we prefer to look at the intersection of the major, scientifically supported theories. There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to table measurements. Each one is unique in the way that it interacts with the other measurements around it, and certainly, from shape to shape, proper table measurements take on totally new ranges and rules. We will be looking closely at optimal ranges for table measurements a little later on when we break down our discussion of cut for each different major diamond shape on the market. Something that is very important to remember, not just with the table facet but with all facets on a diamond, is that they live in a 3 dimensional world and can move in multiple directions. Most often, when a facet’s measurement is discussed, we talk about its diameter, depth, length, or angle. However, a facet can “move” in other ways that need to be considered. For example, is the table off-center? Is the table tilted, in relation to the girdle of the stone? Is the table warped, or skewed? Is the shape of the table symmetrical? Is the facet pattern of the stone symmetrical? Are the facets on the pavilion and crown lined up with each other? Is the culet off-center? Is a facet shifted, twisted, rotated, beveled, curved, etc. While this is a topic that we will not be touching on again until later, it seemed fitting to mention it here in order to set the tone for discussions to come. The Star FacetsThe star facets are small, triangular facets that surround the table, in stones that exhibit the “brilliant cut” pattern, such as rounds, ovals, pears, hearts, marquise, princess, radiant, etc; as opposed to a step cut pattern, such as an emerald or asscher; or even a proprietary cut, such as a Lucida, Criss-cut, etc (we will address their facet structures later on). See figure 4.2.Figure 4.2

The stars are the first of three sets of facets that make up the angled portion of the diamond’s crown. Light that enters these facets will be bent as it passes through them, in contrast to light that enters through the table. See figure 4.3 and 4.4. (These illustrations are of a diamond cut to AGS Ideal proportions, using a single “ray-trace light source” in the model to illustrate the path that light takes through the stone.Figure 4.3

Figure 4.4

The facets that make up the crown of the diamond are very important, because they will bend light passing through the diamond in two way, when it enters the stone, and when it exits the stone. If these facets are cut to angles that are inconsistent or improper, it will have significant effects on the sparkle and brilliance of the diamond. The most common measurement used to express the dimensions of a star facet is that of length, which is expressed in the percentage of the distance which the facet covers between the edge of the table and the edge of the girdle (this was already discussed in the first chapter of this tutorial). Again, there are many schools of thought as to what is the optimal measurement. Rather than proclaim the perfect measurement, it is more informative to look at how different star facet lengths affect the diamond, and how their measurements, when combined with various measurements from the pavilion of the diamond, will yield different optical results, within in which it is possible to find differing appearances which may appeal more to one person than another. The result of such truths is that no one measurement is “the best”, but rather a range of measurements and combinations should be considered. We will breakdown the different measurements and combinations for each shape later on in this tutorial.The Bezel FacetsThe bezel facets are the major facets in the crown of a diamond with the “brilliant cut pattern”. It is the angle of these facets that is depicted as the “crown angle” on the lab reports. These are the largest facets in the crown, and have the greatest impact on the light performance of the stone. The bezel facets of a diamond are illustrated in Figure 4.5, shown below.Figure 4.5

The important statistic to consider about bezel facets is their angle. Since they are the major facets of the crown, they impact the bending of light more than the other two facet groups on the crown. The key to finding a diamond with a good or great cut is not in the in angle measurement of the bezel facets alone, but rather in the combination created by the angle of the bezel facets and the pavilion main facets (pavilion main facets will be discussed later in this chapter). It is this combination that will produce the bending and reflecting of light. If only one set of these facets fall into the proper range, the variance in the non-conforming set of facets will offset the other. Focusing on good combinations and how this will affect the diamond’s ability to reflect light is key if you want to find a diamond that is going to have the “wow” factor. The Upper Girdle FacetsThe upper girdle facets are those facets that have one edge touching the girdle. In stones with a “brilliant cut pattern” especially rounds, these small facets can play a very big roll. See Figure 4.6.Figure 4.6

There are two issues that can happen with these facets that can affect the appearance and beauty of a diamond. They will both be covered under the section discussing the cut of a round diamond. So you know to look out for these topics, they are called Painting and Digging. As with any other portion of diamond cut, these points are hot points of controversy and argument. We will thoroughly discuss these issues a little later. THE PAVILIONThe Pavilion-Main FacetsThe pavilion-main facets, sometimes called “the mains”, are the major facets that extend from the culet of the diamond to the edge of the girdle. These facets are responsible for the majority of the light reflection from the pavilion of the diamond. It is the angles of these facets that will determine where the light that enters the diamond will be reflected. Figure 4.7

The measurement used to define this facet set is an angle measurement. You can see this measurement represented on a lab grading report as the “pavilion angle”. This measurement is a very important one, and, particularly in rounds, a very small change in the angle can result in huge impacts to the visual beauty and sparkle of the diamond. Again…as with the crown angle…there is no one measurement that is the “best”. It is all about the combination of the crown and pavilion angles, working together to produce beautiful optics. Of course, there are limits, and angle measurements within certain ranges that tend to produce the nicest diamonds. As we move through the coming chapters on cut, we will examine different shapes, and how changing the angles of the pavilion-main facets can affect the performance and beauty of a diamond.The Lower Girdle FacetsThe lower girdle facets, as their name would suggest, and just like the upper girdle facets, are the facets that extend from the edge of the girdle, down towards the pavilion. They are found in between the pavilion main facets and are grouped two together. Figure 4.8

The primary measurement used to describe the lower girdle facets is that of length, expressed in a percentage…which is the percentage of the distance the facets cover between the edge of the girdle and the culet. Their length is significant, as it can affect the visual beauty and appearance of a diamond, although their effect is not as great as the “pavilion mains”. Also…like their opposites (the upper girdle facets), lower girdle facets can also suffer the affects of Painting and Digging…which we will discuss later. The CuletThe culet is the point at the bottom of the pavilion. The purpose of the culet is really to keep the diamond from being damaged on the bottom. Today, it is most common to see culets that are referred to a “None” or “Pointed”, since most diamond are brought to a sharp point at the bottom. This was not always the case however. Particularly in more antique cuts, it is quite common to see culets that are flattened, creating another facet on the bottom of the diamond.The issue caused by having a large girdle is that it creates a facet that is parallel to the table. This opens an exit point for light to pass through at the bottom of the diamond, which allows light to pass directly through the diamond, without being reflected back to the viewer, i.e. “light leakage”.  Although the look of a large culet can be very enticing, especially in an antique stone, it is important to understand that it will allow a fair amount of light to be lost through the bottom of the stone, and will affect the overall light return of the diamond.It is important to remember, once again, that diamonds are personal, and that something that one customer may consider undesirable, could be sought after and prized by another. The GirdleThe girdle is the thin “band” around the widest part of the stone. The girdle is very important to the cut of a diamond, but not so much in the way of light performance. Rather, the girdle has to do with the structural soundness of the diamond. After all…the diamond will be held in the setting by the girdle, and, while being worn on the finger by its owner…there is a greater chance that the wearer will bang or knock the stone on its girdle than any other part of the diamond.The girdle measurement, on a lab grading report, is expressed in either millimeters, or as a percentage of the stone’s total depth. It is important to have a girdle that is the right thickness. The girdle should be thick enough to be secure for setting, and secure against chipping or cracking, however if the girdle is too thick, this will hide “extra weight” in the stone. “Extra weight” is carat weight that you pay for in the price, but don’t see in the actual millimeter diameter of the diamond. There are many places that diamond cutters can hide weight in a stone…the girdle is just one. We will discuss them more in detail later on in this tutorial.Now that we have taken the time to breakdown the different facets a diamond…we are going to focus on breaking down our next look into the world of cut by considering one shape and cut pattern at a time.  We will continue this discussion in Chapter 5.

Written by Timothy Andre, Emma Parker & Co.     www.emmaparkerdiamonds.com

Learning how to choose the diamonds is essential so that you will get the superb diamond engagement ring for your money. People who are looking for diamond engagement rings should start with the Four C’s of diamonds since these are the benchmarks on how diamonds are graded and valued.The Four C’s of the diamond industry are the Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat of the diamond. When purchasing a diamond engagement ring, it is now a common practice to choose the diamond first before selecting the base and the settings for the engagement ring band. The Cut The first C that you need to consider when purchasing that important diamond for the engagement ring is the Cut. Many mistake cut for the shape of the diamond which comes in variations. Shapes of loose diamonds include marquise, pear, heart, emerald, princess, cushion, and round brilliant. Among these shapes, the common choices are the princess and the round brilliant. However, as mentioned earlier, the shape of the diamond is not the criteria for grading the cut. The Cut of the diamond refers to the expertise and skill involved in the actual cutting and polishing of the diamond. This also refers to the degree of symmetry the diamond has in relation to its table (the flat surface area of the diamond) and the depth (the length from table to the tip). Furthermore, a diamond’s cut is also valued on the number of angles and facets which can affect the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond. A diamond with a excellent cut grading is one that will be able to show an excellent light performance. Light performance refers to the way light ‘dances’, refracts and reflects as it passes through all the facets of the diamond. Diamonds with symmetrical and well-angled facets will exhibit an excellent light performance. This performance of light will show the diamond’s brilliance, fire, and sparkle (collectively known as “bling” or “the gaga factor”). There are a number of scientific ways to measure a diamond’s ‘bling’ or light performance. Diamond traders are currently administering a wide variety of visual scopes to know the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond. Substandard cut diamonds are usually unsymmetrical and can leak light which makes it appear duller than diamonds of high quality cut. If you are going for a diamond engagement ring with more “bling”, the round brilliant diamond is right for you.The ClarityA diamond’s clarity scoring is a measure of the number of blemishes and inclusions (also known as flaws) that a diamond has. Although, the clarity of the diamond does not greatly influence/affect its brilliance, the greater the blemishes or inclusions a diamond has, the poorer is its value. However, a diamond that has minimal inclusions is still a beautiful diamond if the inclusions cannot be seen by the unaided eye. Remember that there is no such thing as a perfect diamond and that most loose diamonds in the market nowadays possess inclusions or blemishes. As some jewelers point out, the inclusions of diamonds is one way of identifying a diamond because the patterns that these inclusions form act as the diamond’s fingerprint. When purchasing a diamond for an engagement ring, it is ok to choose one that has a few inclusions just as long as these are only visible under magnification. The ColorColorless diamonds are scored using a letter scale which starts from a D rating (truly colorless) to a Z rating (brownish). A top quality diamond is one that is close to being colorless as possible. This means that it is graded within the D-F color bracket.When you choose a diamond within the D-F color bracket, you should have it set on white gold or white platinum to further enhance its colorless quality. The CaratThe carat weight of the diamond is one of the critical considerations in how a diamond is priced. Most diamonds that are used for engagement rings average from .50 carat to 1.25 carat. However, there are people who desire their diamond engagement rings to stand out and therefore buy a stone with a higher carat weight. You must remember that a high quality diamond does not necessarily have to be a larger stone. The size of the diamond is not an assurance of its quality. The quality of the diamond for your engagement ring is rated by the combination of all the factors that were discussed in this article. It is up to you, as the buyer, to determine which of these grading criteria you are going to prioritize and base your buying decision. No matter what diamond you choose with, as long as you made an educated decision and used the diamond wisdom given you, you will still end up with an attractive diamond engagement ring.

Without a doubt, diamonds are among the most exquisite stones in existence. This is mainly due to the colorless appearance, which is a combination of the diamond characteristics: cut, clarity, color, and carat. For years these core characteristics have help describe the beauty of a diamond.

The cut of a diamond is always the first to be considered—as it is considered as the most important of the characteristics. This is because the cut usually determines the value. For instance, a big or heavy diamond isn’t always valuable if the cut is poor. Although many refer to the shape of the stone as its cut, this term actually refers to the reflective qualities of a diamond. In layman’s terms, the cut determines the diamond’s ability to handle the light passing through the stone. The light that passes through the diamond should reflect back to the eye; with poorly cut diamonds, the light leaks out.

Meanwhile, the clarity of the diamond allows one to see the flaws of the stone. Clarity is rated from F (flawless) to I1 to I3 (the lowest of the grades). Experts do not suggest buyers get diamond with the last three ratings, as diamonds with these ratings have visible internal flaws (meaning the diamond is obviously of poor quality). Needless to say, buyers should opt for colorless diamonds, since this also means it is clear. The highest grade of diamonds is colorless. Next to colorless on the color scale is near colorless, faint fellow, and very light yellow. Diamonds with a light yellow color are of low quality.

The final characteristic is the carat, or the weight of the stone. A carat is 200 milligrams, although bigger doesn’t always mean more valuable. Good diamonds should always strike a balance between all four characteristics.

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

Perhaps you’ve heard of the “Four C’s” of diamond quality. Each and every unique diamond in the world has its own defining characteristics, and understanding each of them will help you make an informed decision when you come into a Spence Diamonds showroom.
Cut
Nothing is more important to the brilliance and sparkle of a diamond than its cut, as it is responsible for around 40% of a diamond’s price. A well cut diamond will reflect light from one facet to another and back through the top, creating a dramatic sparkling effect that only a diamond can emit. Only the most skilled diamond cutters can shape a diamond with exacting precision, to release its full brilliance, taking into account such factors as proportions, finish, and of course symmetry.
Colour
When examining a diamond, be sure to view it “loose” (unmounted) under a neutral light source, to get the best view of its colour. In the “normal colour” range, the colour of a diamond is rated on a scale that goes from D to Z, with D being the whitest diamond available, and Z being a tinted, light yellow colour. For most jewelry, a colour grade from G to J is usually best.
Why “D to Z?” Before this rating system was invented, diamond professionals used many other symbols (including liberal uses of “A” and “AA”) to rate colour, so the creators of the new system started at D, to avoid any confusion with the outdated ratings systems.
There are also various coloured diamond choices available today, but when you are looking specifically at a white diamond, you should understand how this scale works, and where your diamond of choice is rated on the spectrum. Also, the mounting of a diamond can impact its appearance. A more yellowish diamond will appear whiter next to a gold setting, whereas a white gold setting will make the diamond look less pure if you compare the two side-by-side.
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond refers to the number and nature of inclusions or blemishes that are visible when you view it under a microscope. Some diamond professionals refer to clarity as “purity” or “quality,” but neither of those start with “C,” so we’ll stick with clarity.
A blemish is an imperfection on the surface of a diamond, and an inclusion is a small spot contained within it. Diamonds with little or no imperfections such as these are rarer, and much more valuable. Five factors determine a diamond’s clarity: the size, number, position, nature and “relief” of the inclusions. Relief describes the level of visibility of these imperfections. The clarity scale of a diamond is the easiest to understand: It varies from Flawless, to Internally Flawless, and from there goes to VVS, VS, SI and I. These are easy to understand and remember, because they stand for: Very Very Slightly included, Very Slightly included, Slightly Included, and Included. Each of these designations has varying levels as well, but getting a handle on these will help you understand the importance of clarity in a diamond’s grading.
An “I” rated diamond will have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye, whereas even a skilled diamond expert would need a microscope to see the inclusions in an “SI” diamond. Because of this, diamonds rated “SI” usually represent the best value for your investment.
Important Note: Skilled jewelry makers often mount a diamond so as to mask an inclusion from sight, helping it appear more flawless. Before buying a diamond, be sure to examine it loose under a microscope to get a better idea of its clarity.
Carat
The last and most obvious characteristic that a diamond is measured by is its Carat (abbreviated “ct.”). A carat is a measure of weight, and it takes 142 of them to make an ounce.
Interesting bits of trivia:
You can mail 142 one-carat diamonds with just a single postage stamp (Not that you would want to)!
The majority of diamonds used in jewelry weigh less than one carat.
Obviously, a diamond’s carat weight can have a big effect on its value. When written, carat weights are expressed as decimal numbers: 1.00 ct., 0.48 ct., 1.57 cts., and so on. In a piece which has more than one diamond, often times you will see the total carat weight of the diamonds shown.
At Spence Diamonds, each and every diamond comes with an official Diamond Certificate, which will give you a detailed blueprint of your diamond. Now that you understand the “Four C’s” of diamond grading, you’ll have a better understanding of these certificates, which give you detailed info on all of the factors discussed above, including a “plotting” that shows the exact location of inclusions and blemishes.

The term ‘diamond’ is enough to arouse interest. It is precious, hardest and available for life. Diamonds are actually allotrope of carbon with solid hardness and high dispersion of light. Popularity of diamonds dates back to 19th century. Factors like availability, increased demand and supply, emergence of improved cutting techniques etc paved the way for diamonds towards the much appraised resource of the world. These are highly popular in fashion industry and useful for innovative industrial applications.
Diamonds can be of several sizes. The most popular diamonds are large diamonds, oval diamonds, investment diamonds, round diamond, Princess Diamonds, big diamonds etc. All these are distinctive and carry weight of their own. Large diamonds are highly popular for their shape. However, the trait ‘large’ is not the only responsible factor behind their popularity. Large diamonds are also known for their fine-edged cutting and shine. Excluding large diamonds, oval diamonds and round shaped diamonds are also worthwhile for their idiosyncratic shape and brilliant look. Round diamonds are different from fancy-shaped diamonds for the latter one is usually more difficult to cut.
While discussing about diamonds, it is important to understand that one may vary from the other in terms of shape, cutting and brightness. Be it round diamonds, oval diamonds, big diamonds, princess diamonds or large diamonds; every type of diamond needs certain amount of care and attentiveness to come in real shape and dignity. The time-frame of cutting diamonds may vary from one to other. One may take mere hours whereas another one may demand days to come in real shape. The very difference leads to different shines and edges of diamond.
Round diamonds, oval diamonds, big shaped diamonds etc have been adapted for many applications. These are noteworthy for their high dispersion, solid hardness and high thermal conductivity. These physical characteristics have made diamonds highly recommended for industrial and household application.
Today, World Wide Web has revolutionized the trade of diamonds. With a mere click on the screen, you can get the references of top-notch marketers, who have been trading diamonds for years. You can visit the latest gallery of round diamonds, Princess Diamonds, big diamonds, large diamonds, oval diamonds, investment diamonds etc. Buying diamonds through World Wide Web is easy and saves your valuable time.

Diamond is one of the most valuable jewellery in the world. People would like to own it because they like diamond’s attributes and its unique. When you are thinking to buy a diamond, there are 4 factors that you need to consider thoroughly when you buy diamond. These are Clarity, Cut, Colour and Carat Weight. However, recently technology 

First of all, the cut, it means a shape of diamond which was cut in different ways depend on diamond condition.  A good cut diamond will exhibit the better light reflection.

The second factor is the clarity. The clarity is a term that is used for illustrating purity of diamond. This is related with scratch, defect and flaw. The more purity diamond has the more it will be priced.

In addition to the diamond cut and clarity, the weight (Carat) is another significant factor that diamond buyer need to concern. Carat is used as the trading unit that 1 Carat is equal 0.200 grams. Carat has an abrasive form as ct and refers to a single diamond. For more than one diamond, the total weight will be called total Carat of ct TW.

The last factor that diamond ring buyers need to take into account is the colour. Diamond is not perfect colourless jewellery. It, however, is the colourless stone which has various colours from white to brown.

Buying diamond or diamond ring requires the clearly understanding in all 4 factors which will effect to its price. However, to help buyer select a diamond easier, the Gemological Institute Of America has set the standard for all of those factor.

For more information about diamond ring : http://buying-diamond-ring.blogspot.com/

It is well said that life without love is droughty and non-sparking. Love is an inevitable part of person’s life, and some day or the other he has to fall into it. And thus comes various romantic moments in life, where expressing love becomes the need of the hour. And it is then the lovers opt for different means of displaying love, one famous way amongst the many is through diamond rings, diamond solitaire rings, vintage engagement rings, designer engagement rings, cheap engagement rings and many more.We all know that gifting rings is a very important part of many cultures. But have we ever thought that why is it just rings, and why not earrings or pendants. There is a strong reason behind it. Ring is circular in shape. Being circular means it has no ending and no beginning. In other words we can say that if we gift rings, let it be diamond engagement ring or diamond solitaire rings to our lover, the ring will get similar energy i.e. it will make our love eternal, with no beginning and no ending. Thus, are gifted these rings. Thus, if you are in love and want to express in the most romantic manner, bend down on your knees, in front of your lover and open the secrete box studded with diamond engagement ring.To know more about these rings, you can visit an online jewelry store. Rather than going to a store nearby your place, this in itself is a time consuming process, log on to some reputed online jewelry stores. There you can search rings with a large number of designs, made out of different stones, for example, if you are bored with diamond engagement rings, you can get into the link which informs about diamond solitaire rings or vintage engagement rings. In case, after scrutinizing in detail all the rings, you do not get the one you are searching for, you can log on to some websites which provide designer engagement rings. Designer rings can be the one of the most beautiful and dear present for your lover. In case of designer engagement ring, you can add that personal touch to your ring. For example, you can discuss with designer and let him know your needs and demand. You can also discuss your budget as designer rings are generally very expensive. These days many online jewelry stores have come up with an option, where you can design your own ring. You choose the band of your choice, along with the stone it should be studded with. This can make your ring unique and classic.Diamond engagement ring increases tremendously, once when it reaches the hands of the right person, which is your lover. So what are you waiting for, it’s once in a lifetime investment, therefore gift her something tremendously classy and different. Many online jewelry stores are there to help you out with the task of choosing the right engagement ring. You just need to be aware of the taste and preference of your lover. Gift her one nice diamond ring, and see how your relationship reaches new height!

The diamond is the hardest substance in nature known to man, yet it is a gemstone of the simplest composition.
It is a mineral made up of carbon atoms formed into a crystalline lattice arrangement. Its modern popularity is owed to the discovery of huge diamond deposits in southern and central Africa during the 1800s and since then has become a gemstone to be coveted even by ordinary people.
When obtaining or buying a diamond, the industry has standards to which a diamond’s worth and value can be measured.
Although there are other factors of a diamond piece that experts consider, like its symmetry, table percentage, and fluorescence, to determine its value, consumers usually learn about the four Cs beforehand as a starting point.
These are Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.
1. Cut – the cut of a diamond actually pertains to both its shape and how well the diamond is formed in relation to its proportions and polish.
This factor of a diamond defers from all the others, as it is the only one that is determined by human hands. Nature is responsible for a diamond’s color, clarity and carat, but only an expert cutter can make a rough diamond achieve its most beautiful form.
As for the shape of a diamond, there are 8 major shapes, which include round, marquise, emerald, pear, princess, oval, radiant, and heart. The round shape is the most popular and readily available in any possible size and quality.
If a diamond is cut too shallow or deep, it losses its brilliance by the light leaking at the side of bottom. A well-proportioned diamond emphasizes its natural beauty and brilliance.
2. Color – the color of a diamond varies from shades of yellow to the higher quality and more uncommon colorless types.
A diamond’s color is graded, D being the highest for the perfectly colorless stones, to grade Z, which has tints of yellow in the piece.
There are some that are also called fancies, available in brighter hues of blue, pink, yellow, green, purple and even red. These types, although colored, are more rare and much more expensive.
3. Clarity – like our own fingerprints, no two diamonds are alike. This is because diamonds have inclusions, tiny internal flaws of non-crystallized carbon that are mostly invisible to a human eye.
These inclusions affect a diamond’s clarity, which is the degree in which light passes through the stone. Blemishes can also appear after the cutting process and can affect clarity.
Clarity grades range from internally flawless to imperfect.
4. Carat – pertains to a diamond’s weight and is measured in increments called points, 100 points being equal to one carat.
Since larger diamonds are rare, the value of a 2-carat diamond is priced higher than that of 2 1-carat diamonds of the same quality.
A diamond’s carat is the easiest to measure since it is determined on a diamond scale. Its weight also does not necessarily reflect its size, since a diamond can be cut in a way that makes its discernable top surface