Diamonds

Many diamond customers go shopping before setting a budget and end up having an unsatisfied experience finding the correct stone. Setting a budget and understanding where your money is allocated can make for a much more pleasurable diamond buying experience.

Diamonds are price based on their color grade and diamond weight. Many shoppers find it difficult to identify the difference between a diamonds color grade. If you invest in the lowest color grade that looks appealing this will allow you to purchase a larger diamond in the same budget. The highest color grades include D, E and F, this is categorized as colorless. The following color grades G, H, I and J are nearly colorless and can be bought at a lower price.

Smaller diamonds cost less to purchase compared to a single diamond with the same carat weight. Buying three diamonds at a weight of 0.50 will cost a fraction of what you will have to pay for one diamond weighing 1.50 carats.

Most diamonds have inclusions, the importance lies in checking them with the naked eye. If the diamonds that you are viewing look clean, there is no point-paying extra for high clarity grades as they only add to the expense.

Diamonds that are of same carat weight and shape can also differentiate. Cut can also influence the millimeter size. Comparatively shallow diamonds are larger in width and length. Type of setting for these diamonds can also create an impact on perceived size and price. White gold settings for these diamonds can cost around one third of the price of platinum. Diamonds that have pave or bezel around the setting appear larger.

While buying diamonds, choosing the right shape is crucial for determining its overall appearance in jewelry. Diamonds are available in many variations and cuts. A diamonds shape not only refers to its outward appearance but it also refers to how the stone is fashioned and how many facets it has. Knowledge about all the shapes can help you buy the right shape for yourself.

Round brilliant diamonds are one of the most popular shapes and account for more than 75% of the diamonds that are purchased. The brilliance and fire of these diamonds add to their popularity. Oval diamonds offer symmetrical designs yielding more surface area that give the appearance of a larger stone. These diamonds are preferred by the women who have short fingers and small hands as they give elongated look.

Princess cut diamonds are the smallest of the diamonds and have an inverted pyramid shape. In this shape, weight of carat is on the bottom side. It is a favorite of the solitaire. Marquise diamonds appear larger than they are; this shape is elongated with the points on every end and is sometimes changed to French tip where the points are almost excised. It is also one of the great options for solitaire.

You can look for Emerald cut diamonds, they appear rectangular with cut corners. This type of diamonds is also known as step cut due to its shape that resembles a staircase. Open and large facets of this diamonds give it an imperative look with higher color and greater clarity. You can also buy pear shaped diamonds that look like a teardrop. Most of these diamonds are found in earrings and pendants. Brilliant cut heart shape diamonds are a perfect romantic choice but the shape can vary based on the jewelry store you are buying from. This shape is greatly influenced by the configurations and whimsy of gem cutters.

Trillion cut diamonds are that with a triangular shape with equal sides. Use this shape for making a beautiful pair of earrings. Baguette cut diamonds are another type of step cut that frequently are employed as side stones. Because of a limited number of facets, color and quality come to play, as imperfections are greatly visible in this simple shape.

Asscher cut diamonds are rectangular with the high crown step facets and are known for the ability to throw light. Cushion cut diamonds are another form of diamond that are referred to as pillow diamonds. This shape is elegant with a touch of old world. Trapezoid, Kite, and Half-Moon shaped diamonds aren’t as common, when used it is frequently as a corner stone.

While buying a diamond, one should always check the 4Cs so that he/she can make the most educated decision. The 4Cs are used for valuation of diamonds and refer to Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight.

Cut plays an important role in deciding a diamond's brilliance. Brilliant round diamonds have roughly 58 facets, 33 of them are on top of the diamond body. There are 24 crown or star facets at bottom, which are known as pavilion facets.

All the facets of a diamond should be in the geometrical relations with each other. You can be sure about the quality of diamond by the lack of bow tie or fish eye in it. Fish eye will make the diamond appear larger and spread out with lower brilliance. With bow ties, there is a black region formed on the diamond, making it undesirable.

Color is also an important determinant for finding the diamond's worth. Colorless diamonds are of the highest value while traces of color depreciate its value. Most of the diamonds seem colorless to naked eye but majority of these diamonds have a tint of brown and yellow when they are under illumination and gemscope. Natural diamonds are found in blue, red, deep yellow and green shades. These are also known as fancy colorful diamonds basing on alphabetical scale starting from colorless D to yellow M.

Clarity of the diamonds is dependent on a number of factors including location, number, type, and size of inclusions. Inclusion is an imperfection or mineral trace in the stone, visible by the naked eye, under magnification of the loop or a gemscope. The fewer inclusions in a diamond allow for better brilliance and clarity. Fewer inclusions also mean higher prices.

Carat is another determinant for finding out a diamond's value. Weight of the diamond is measured in carats. Every carat is further divided in the 100 points. A carat weight is not of any use without considering clarity, color, and cut of the diamond. Large diamonds are not that worthy if they lack purity, better grade color, and brilliance. Since larger diamonds are rare to find as compared to smaller ones, value of the diamond increases exponentially with the carat weight.

You will not find similarity between any two diamonds. You must find out their value on a basis of 4Cs i.e. Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat while doing your diamond shopping.

Fluorescence is another characteristic of the diamond that should be considered before buying. It refers to the blue light, which is emitted by some diamonds under black UV lights. Some diamonds emit blue glow while others emit moderate glow, some don't even glow at all. Fluorescence is a complicated characteristic as it can either decrease or increase the worth of a diamond. For the colorless diamonds from the scale of D, E, F. Fluorescence is not that beneficial but for the stones that have yellowish tinge as J, strong or medium Fluorescence help in making it appear white. Consider all the above stated factors and have a happy diamond shopping experience.

round

When people say they are looking for a platinum engagement ring, they are referring to Scott Kay Jewelry. Been awarded the Platinum Innovation Award from the Platinum Guild International for his masterpiece creations, Scott Kay jewelry has a diverse range of men and women wedding collection, each with a symbolic name such as Namaste, which is a perfect balance between spirituality and strength or Embraces, which symbolized union in its intertwined designs. Apart from his acclaimed platinum pieces, Scott Kay diamond rings are also a favorite amongst the jewelry enthusiasts.

princess

One of the most popular diamonds that are not round in shape is the princess cut diamond. They stand out of the crowd and look different due to their cut and brilliance. If you are buying a color grade diamond, the appearance of the diamond will be exceptional and the color that you choose will be visible in the corners of the diamond. These diamonds can be rectangular or square and by getting an idea of the length and width ratio, you will be able to get an idea of the exact shape of the diamond.

asscher

This is yet another beautiful and unique shape of diamonds that almost look like emerald cut but its shape is slightly square. The pavilion of this diamond is cut in a rectangular style and this is what makes it different. Like other diamonds, the color that you choose will be visible in the corners of the diamond. Many stars and celebrities have been seen wearing jewelry items in these cuts and this has just added to the popularity of this cut. You should look at the certification and the depth ration while making a purchase for a diamond. Most of the diamonds cut in this shape will appear to be square. If you need a unique ring for your mate, an asscher cut diamond ring is the perfect choice.

pear

If you have seen the shape of a teardrop, you would be able to get an idea about this particular shape of diamonds. These diamonds are cut brilliantly so that maximum shine can be obtained. This is also called a teardrop diamond because it has a single point and an end that is rounded. The overall look of this diamond is unique and thus it is used in a variety of jewelry designs. If you wear an elongated pear shaped diamond in your ring, your hands and fingers will look slimmer due to the shape of the diamond.

emerald

The striking point for these diamonds is in their pavilion. The original clarity of this diamond can be seen in its shape and oversized table. When you are making a purchase, make sure that you see the clarity plot and check for the certificate. The rectangular shape of these diamonds can vary greatly. Know the length-width ratio so that you understand how your diamond will look if you see it from the top.

oval

Just like the round diamonds, the oval diamonds too have a brilliance that the onlooker would fall for. Oval diamonds are quite popular and are used in rings and other jewelry items. They are used in rings to give a slender appearance to the hands and the fingers. If you are looking for a traditionally cut oval diamond, the length to width ratio will be between 1.33 and 1.66. You can ask the jeweler to tell you the exact length and width of the diamond so that you can imagine its shape when viewed from the top.

heart

As you know, heart symbolizes love; this is one of the most distinctive shapes of all the diamonds. The shape and cut are unique and this is what makes it a favorite with the jewelers. The corners of this diamond may show the color if you are buying a color grade diamond. The shape originated from the pear shape when a cleft was made in the shape. The length and width of the diamond can vary and thus the size of the heart and the broadness too will vary. Choose the size according to the jewelry item in which you wish to get it placed.

cushion

This shape has been around for hundreds of years and due to the shape of these diamonds, they are known as pillow cut diamonds. The corners of these diamonds are rounded and the facets are cut larger to increase the shine of the diamonds. The large facets give rise to clarity in the appearance of the diamond. You can buy these diamonds in square and rectangular shapes. These diamonds are rising in popularity by the day. Taking a closer look at these diamonds you will see a combination of oval and old mine cuts.

Carat is the unit in which a diamond is weighed. One carat equals to 0.2 grams or 200 milligrams. Carat weight is the prime factor that determines the weight of a diamond. Larger diamonds are undoubtedly costlier. Carat makes expressing diamond weight easier as compared to milligrams. Instead of giving three labels to diamonds weighing 20 milligrams, 211 milligrams and 220 milligrams, carat offers a category for fitting the diamonds in a one category, placing these diamonds in one-carat range.

One should not forget that high carat weight does not necessarily mean a larger looking diamond. Even diamonds of the same weight can differ on a basis of other factors, especially cut that influences perceived size. Large diamonds are rare to find and much in demand as compared to small diamonds even of the same quality. The price of a one-carat solitaire diamond ring is more than a ring with smaller diamonds making up the same carat weight. Diamond comparison is not effective until you compare the diamonds of similar features and qualities. While comparing the value of different diamonds, divide cost of every diamond in accordance with the carat weight and then calculate its price per carat.

You may have witnessed your jeweler discussing points while talking about diamond sizes. This is not in context with the number of facets a diamond has but to the weight of the diamond. One carat is equivalent to 100 points, so every point is 1/100th of a carat. Carat weight also influences a diamond’s price. Because of the rarity of larger stones, they are priced higher. Carat weight is an important consideration while buying the diamonds for your-self.

While the jeweler talks about the diamonds color, he is referring to the absence and presence of the color in the diamond. Color of a diamond is a result of diamond’s composition and does not change with time. Colorless diamonds allow light to travel through them as compared to the colored diamonds. These diamonds also emit more fire and sparkle. The process, through which a diamond is formed, is the deciding factor for its color. The whiter the diamond is the higher value it will have.

For grading the color of diamonds, jewelers refer to GIA’s color scale that starts the rating with D for the colorless diamonds and grows up to Z as the traces of light yellow or brown color are found in the diamond. Diamonds graded from D to F are amongst the most desirable and valuable stones. These diamonds are a delight for the diamond lovers. Nevertheless, if you have a low budget, you can also find good diamonds with lower grades. These diamonds are not exactly colorless but show no color to untrained eye.

Consider the setting of the diamond before choosing the grade of a diamond. If the setting for your diamond is platinum or white gold, go for high color grades, if you want to get it fitted in yellow gold, slightly low grade diamonds can also look great. While you will find faint yellow hint in the diamonds that are graded from J to M, the color can be camouflaged by choosing the right setting for the stone. Many people prefer the warm glow given by low color diamonds.

Fluorescence is found in the diamonds while they are exposed to ultraviolet light with long wave. Under most of the lighting conditions, this effect cannot be seen by eyes. Some people prefer diamonds without this effect while others look for it. It is all about the aesthetics.

Diamond clarity means finding out characteristics of a diamond, including the blemishes and inclusions. If you consider the pressure that a diamond is created, and that they are not produced in sterile laboratory, you will be not be surprised to find that most of these diamonds are not free of flaws.

Usually there are two kinds of flaws found in diamonds – blemishes and inclusions. Inclusions are naturally occurring internal flaws that are found in diamonds including cracks, air bubbles, and mineral. However, most blemishes occur at the time of cutting process. The diamonds that have less blemishes and inclusions are considered valuable as compared to those that have more.

On a basis of clarity, grades are given to diamonds under loupe magnification. These grades vary from the ones that do not have blemishes or inclusions to those that do. There are different grades given to a diamond like F, IF, VVS1-VVS2, SI1-SI2 and I1-I2-I3. Diamond’s clarity grade is proof of the identity of the diamond.

GIA certificates consist of a diamonds inclusion plot, as there is no similarity between two diamonds. The plot of the GIA certificate ensures the worth of the diamond you are planning to buy. It lets you have the assurance that the diamond you are receiving is the one you have paid for. If you are in a fix about what clarity grade you should choose, flawless is the best and rarest clarity grade.

Diamonds that are VS and VVS grades are great in terms of appearance and value. You can also invest in less expensive options that include SI2 and SI1 where inclusions can also not be seen by the naked eye.

People often confuse diamond shape with diamond cut. Shape of the diamond is the outward appearance. When the diamond jewelers use the word cut, they are referring to reflective qualities of the diamond not their shape. Quality of diamond cut is a crucial part of 4Cs of diamonds. A great cut provides brilliance to the diamond. Finish and angles of all the diamonds lets you determine the diamond’s ability to handle light that results in its brilliance.

When a diamond has a good cut, light travels through it easily, adding to its spark. The light that is passed through the diamond because of cut is alone responsible for making the diamonds shine and increase their desirability. If a diamond is not cut properly, light enter through the table after reaching the facets, it leaks out from bottom or side, cutting down its brilliance.

Many gemologists believe that best of diamond cuts are made after following a formula calculated for maximizing the brilliance. The formula is in the proportions of the diamond, especially in the context of how depth compares to diameter. If you are buying diamonds without GIA certificates, invest some time finding certified diamonds and gain some knowledge for identifying better cuts.

Variance in proportions to poor cut and ideal cut is difficult to find out by the casual observer. As cut is important, you can make use of different grading methods for determining the cut of a specific diamond. Selection of grade cut is based on a person’s preference. For making the best selection, one needs to be acquainted with different grades.

Ideal diamond cut has maximum brilliance and the small table size of these diamonds work in the best possible way to create fire or dispersion. With ideal cut diamonds, you can be sure of having the finest return of money invested. This category is just for round shaped diamonds. Premium cuts are also equivalent to ideal cuts in round diamonds but the price is slightly lower. Very Good diamond cuts reflect maximum light entered in, providing fair amount of brilliance to the diamonds.

Good Cut diamonds reflect most of the light that passes through them. The proportion of these diamonds is outside the preferred range. Diamonds that fall under this category will allow you save money without compromising on beauty and quality of the diamond. Fair and Poor quality diamonds reflect very little proportion of light that is entered to them. These diamonds are cut in order to increase carat weight above all the other considerations.