Diamond Jewlery, Fine Diamond Jewlery, Discount Diamond Jewlery, DIamond Jewelry Rings, Diamond Jewelry Earrings,

Diamond Jewlery, Fine Diamond Jewlery, Discount Diamond Jewlery, DIamond Jewelry Rings, Diamond Jewelry Earrings, Diamond Jewelry Pendants, Diamond Jewelry Bracelets,
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Third Party Diamond Certification: Stick With AGS Or GIA

 

There are numerous ways for anyone to field test a piece of jewelry to determine if the stones are genuine diamonds. These can vary from a newspaper test of reading print through the diamond to trying to fog up the stone. However, the only scientific way to measure the authenticity of a stone is to get it tested by a third party certification process via the experts. Even when doing so, you have to specifically request AGS or GIA certification as there are a number of independent certifiers who can still grade a genuine diamond inaccurately when compared to these standards, costing you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars – even when the stone is genuine. If you want to know how to test your diamond ring accurately, always let the professionals handle this and get a certificate to prove not only the authenticity of the stone, but the correct grading for the stone.

How Certificates Go Wrong

Just because someone is willing to send out your diamond to a third party testing company doesn't mean you will get back the best results. Diamond grading for the four C's (color, clarity, cut, and carat) can vary if they aren't following set industry standards. Sometimes diamond vendors may even set up relationships with these third party certifiers aware that the grading can skew the value of the diamond and provide a bigger profit margin. If you want to be on the safe side and accurately gage the value of the diamond, stick to standards like AGS or GIA and you won't be disappointed later. Otherwise, you may find that the independent certifiers can use the same language and terms, but are essentially inflating values by shifting the grading of color or clarity a few notches based on their system. This can be very misleading to the general public and can be quite a surprise when someone else appraises the stone for far less because they used a AGS or GIA industry standard.

About Heart Shaped Diamond

Though a technical description of the heart-shaped diamond is anything but sentimental, the heart shaped diamond is essentially a pear-shaped diamond with a cleft at the top the diamond itself is is considered by some to be the most romantic of all diamond cuts.The heart shaped diamond can be quite fiery with excellent sparkle.

Choosing a Heart Shaped Diamond

The heart-shaped diamond is likely the most difficult diamond shape to purchase online. If you find a heart shaped diamond like to buy online.

We strongly recommend you:

1. Review the length to width ratio to determine the heart's proportions - short and fat? - elongated? - evenly proportion?
2. Ensure that the seller has an excellent return policy -- if the diamond arrives and you don't care for the cleft, you want to be able to either exchange or return the stone.

When purchasing a heart-shaped diamond, it's extremely important to pay attention to quality and to select the highest grade cut you can afford. While "shape" is not the same as "cut", the skill of the cutter is critical with heart-shaped diamonds and a diamond with a high grade cut, likely had a skilled cutter. Our minimum recommendations for buying heart-shaped diamonds are as follows

• Cut: Good
• Color: G
• Clarity: SI2
• 

Heart Shaped Diamonds

The heart is the ultimate symbol of love. The unique look of the heart-shaped diamond helps make it a distinctive choice for a variety of diamond jewelry. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color heart shaped diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners. To find the dimension of heart-shape you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond's outline.

 

Heart Shaped Diamonds

Like pear shaped diamonds, heart shaped diamonds can be either fat or elongated. Notice the extra protection the setting offers this heart shaped diamond's pointed tip.

About Emerald Cut Diamond Shape

Emerald Cut Diamond Shape

As may be evident by the name, the "emerald cut" was originally developed for cutting emeralds, not diamonds.

While the emerald gemstone is a relatively hard stone (7.5 - 8.0 on the MOHS scale), it is known for numerous inclusions (naturally occuring internal flaws). The inclusions make the stone vulnerable to breakage, making them difficult to cut. The stepped, normally rectangular cut with cropped corners (shown above), known as the "emerald cut" was developed to address these issues.

It was soon discovered that the emerald cut was also suitable for other stones, including diamonds.

The emerald cut diamond can be absolutely stunning. Because of it's long lines, it tends to be less fiery than a "round brilliant" cut, but it also tends to have broader, more dramatic flashes of light. The trim lines of emerald cut diamonds lend an elegant, sophisticated air to both the simplest and most elaborate ring settings.

Choosing an Emerald Cut Diamond

When purchasing an emerald cut diamond, it's extremely important to pay attention to quality and to select the highest grade stone you can afford. Because of the "openess" of the cut, flaws, color weakness, and a poor cut are more evident to the naked eye than a cut such as the round brilliant. The good news is, emerald cut diamonds are not as "traditional" as the round brilliant or as trendy as the princess cut -- making their pricing extremely economical when compared to the more common cuts.

For example, compare the following two diamonds available at Mondera:

Emerald Cut
Round Brilliant

Carat Weight: 1.00
Carat Weight: 1.00

Cut: Very Good
Cut: Very Good

Clarity: VS2
Clarity: VS2

Color: F
Color: F

Price: $4,543
Price: $5,994

The diamonds carry the same grades and are the same weight, but the emerald cut diamond is $1,451 less than the round brilliant.

Our minimum recommendations for buying emerald cut diamonds are as follows (please remember these recommendations are opinion only, and your tastes may vary):

• Cut: Good
• Color: G
• Clarity: VS2
• Depth Percentage: 58-69%
• Table: 58-69%

Always be sure to check the length and width of the diamond prior to purchasing. The traditionally accepted ratio for emerald cut diamonds is 1.5:1 to 1.75:1, but some people prefer longer, thinner cuts, and some prefer the shorter, fatter cuts.

Emerald Cut Diamond Ring

While not the traditional selection, emerald cut diamonds make lovely engagement rings (either as a solitaire or with accent stones). And because they're usually less costly than comparable round brilliants, buyers can generally afford a larger stone than if they selected a round brilliant.

Emerald cut diamonds do require four-pronged settings (as pictured). Make sure to keep that in mind when making your selection.

To give you some ideas of what's available for an emerald cut diamond ring, we've preselected a range of certified emerald cut diamonds for you to examine (all from Mondera or Blue Nile, two of the premiere diamond stores). Unless otherwise noted, these diamonds are within our minimum requirements as listed above and are suitable for solitaire settings or settings with accent stones:

• Half-carat (.50 - .55)
  1. Best Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  2. Balance of Price and Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  3. Low Price Selection
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  4. Bargain Basement*
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
• Three-quarter carat (.75 - .80)
  1. Best Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  2. Balance of Price and Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  3. Low Price Selection
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  4. Bargain Basement*
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
• One carat (1.00 - 1.10)
  1. Best Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  2. Balance of Price and Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  3. Low Price Selection
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  4. Bargain Basement*
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
• Two Carats (2.00 - 2.10)
  1. Best Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  2. Balance of Price and Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  3. Low Price Selection
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  4. Bargain Basement*
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
• Three Carats (3.00 - 3.10)
  1. Best Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  2. Balance of Price and Quality
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  3. Low Price Selection
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond
  4. Bargain Basement*
     View this Emerald Cut Diamond

About Cushion Cut Diamond Shape

Cushion Cut Diamond Shape

Until recently, it was difficult to find Cushion Cut Diamonds for sale outside of estate sales and auctions. However, cushion cuts are enjoying a small surge in popularity and are again being offered by select diamond sellers,

The cushion cut is an antique cut that most often resembles a cross between the Old Mine Cut (a deep cut with large facets that was common in the late 19th and the early 20th centuries) and a modern oval cut. This shape is also sometimes referred to as the pillow-cut or the candlelight diamond (a reference to cuts designed prior to electric lights, when diamonds sparkled in the light provided by candles).

This cut is not as fiery or brilliant as many of the newer cuts, but it has a marvelously romantic and classic look and definitely stands out from the crowd of round brilliants.

Choosing a Cushion Cut Diamond

Standards for cushion cut diamonds vary widely and more than with most contemporary cuts, much is left to personal taste. So you will easily find cushion cuts that are nearly square, long rectangles, and with varying size tables and depth percentages.

Mondera does categorize their cushion cuts as falling into three cut "grades" -- Good, Very Good, and Ideal. For those who are not on a tight budget, we recommend staying in the Very Good and Ideal ranges.

Because of the large open facets of the cushion cut, opt for the highest clarity and color your budget affords. If you're looking for a stone that most closely matches the original cushion cut, opt for a length/width ratio of 1.25 - 1.30.

Our minimum recommendations for buying cushion cut diamonds are as follows (please remember these recommendations are opinion only, and your tastes may vary):

• Cut: Good
• Color: G
• Clarity: VS2

Now if you're on a tight budget, you can still find a nice stone going with these minimums:

• Cut: Good
• Color: I
• Clarity: SI2

Could you purchase cheaper cushion cut diamonds by going below these minimums? Absolutely. But we don't recommend it -- at some point, one must consider the beauty of the stone, not simply the cost.

Cushion Cut Diamond Ring

While not the traditional selection, cushion cut diamonds are a romantic stand out from the common round brilliant generally selected for engagement rings (either as a solitaire or with accent stones).

Cushion cut diamonds do require a minimum four-pronged settings (as pictured) and larger stones will require additional prongs to keep the stone secure in its setting.

To give you some ideas of what's available for a cushion cut diamond ring, we've preselected a range of certified cushion cut diamonds for you to examine (all from Mondera or Blue Nile, two of the premiere online diamond stores). These diamonds are within our minimum requirements as listed above and are suitable for solitaire settings or settings with accent stones.

PLEASE NOTE: It is often difficult to find cushion cut diamonds in the smaller sizes. If you're looking for a diamond under one carat, you'll have a much greater range of choices if you select an Asscher Cut Diamond.

• Three-quarter carat (.70 - .80)
  1. Best Quality
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  2. Balance of Price and Quality
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  3. Low Price Selection
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  4. Bargain Basement*
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
• One carat (1.00 - 1.10)
  1. Best Quality
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  2. Balance of Price and Quality
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  3. Low Price Selection
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  4. Bargain Basement*
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
• Two Carats (2.00 - 2.10)
  1. Best Quality
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  2. Balance of Price and Quality
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  3. Low Price Selection
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  4. Bargain Basement*
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
• Three Carats (3.00 - 3.10)
  1. Best Quality
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  2. Balance of Price and Quality
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  3. Low Price Selection
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond
  4. Bargain Basement*
     View this Cushion Cut Diamond

About Asscher Cut Diamond Shape

 Asscher Cut Diamond Shape
asscher cut diamond The " Asscher cut diamond" was developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland. It is a stepped square cut, often called the "square emerald cut" and like an emerald cut, the Asscher has cropped corners. Until recently, very few stores carried Asscher cut diamonds. But the Asscher cut has rapidly gained popularity as it was featured on the television show "Sex & and the City" and stars such as Kate Hudson have received Asscher-cuts as engagement rings. Due to the increased popularity, more and more stores are carrying this fashionable cut -- however, the range of diamonds tends to be smaller than for other more common cuts.

Choosing an Asscher Cut Diamond
The Asscher cut is designed to draw the eye into the diamond and as such, you should always select the highest quality stone you can afford. Our minimum recommendations for buying Asscher cut diamonds are as follows (please remember these recommendations are opinion only, and your tastes may vary):

 

    * Cut: Good
    * Color: G
    * Clarity: SI2
    * Depth Percentage: 64-72%
    * Table: 54-63%

Asscher Cut Diamond Ring
While not the traditional selection, asscher cut diamonds are very fashionable and make dramatic engagement rings (either as a solitaire or with accent stones).

asscher cut diamond engagement rings Asscher cut diamonds do require four-pronged settings (as pictured). Make sure to keep that in mind when making your selection.

ascher cut diamond rings To give you some ideas of what's available for an asscher cut diamond ring, we've preselected a range of certified asscher cut diamonds for you to examine (all from Mondera or Blue Nile, two of the premiere diamond stores). Unless otherwise noted, these diamonds are within our minimum requirements as listed above and are suitable for solitaire settings or settings with accent stones:

    * Half-carat (.50 - .55)
         1. Best Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         2. Balance of Price and Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         3. Low Price Selection
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         4. Bargain Basement*
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond

    * Three-quarter carat (.75 - .80)
         1. Best Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         2. Balance of Price and Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         3. Low Price Selection
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         4. Bargain Basement*
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond

    * One carat (1.00 - 1.10)
         1. Best Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         2. Balance of Price and Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         3. Low Price Selection
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         4. Bargain Basement*
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond

    * Two Carats (2.00 - 2.10)
         1. Best Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         2. Balance of Price and Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         3. Low Price Selection
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         4. Bargain Basement*
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond

    * Three Carats (3.00 - 3.10)
         1. Best Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         2. Balance of Price and Quality
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         3. Low Price Selection
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond
         4. Bargain Basement*
            View this Asscher Cut Diamond

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Popular Diamond Shapes

 

Popular Diamond Shapes

Round Brilliant Diamonds, Oval Diamonds, Marquise Diamonds, Pear Shaped Diamonds, Heart Shaped Diamonds, Emerald Cut Diamond, Princess Cut Diamond, Trilliant Diamonds,  Radiant Cut Diamonds, Cushion Cut Diamond,

 

Round Brilliant Cut Diamond (Ideal Cut)

 

The "Round Brilliant Cut" Diamond Shape, also referred to as an "Ideal Cut" diamond, is a Round Cut Diamond that is cut with absolute mathematical precision, designed to give it maximum sparkle (Fire & Brilliance). The Vast majority of Round Cut Diamonds will not meet this strict standard.

Round cut diamonds are the most popular diamond shape in diamond rings. They are the preferred diamond shape for diamond solitaire rings. They are also used frequently in Anniversary Rings, or as accent stones. Round Cut Diamonds are usually more expensive, because more of the rough diamond weight is lost during the cutting process.

Round Cut Diamonds that are cut to "Ideal Cut" standards are rare in the market and much more expensive.

The Round Cut diamond shape typically has 58 facets. (including the cutlet) On the Crown of the diamond (upper section) there are 8 bezel facets, 1 table facet, 8 star facets, and 16 upper girdle facets. On the pavillion of the diamond (lower section) there are 16 lower girdle facets, 8 pavilion main facets, and 1 cutlet.

It is believed that todays Round Brilliant Cut Diamond shape is a direct ancestor of The "Old European Cut" Diamond Shape.

Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds are certainly the standard by which all other diamond shapes are compared to.

Anatomy Of An "Ideal Cut" Round Diamond

Emerald Cut Diamond

The shape of an Emerald Cut Diamond is rectangular with "Cut" corners. It is known as a step cut versus a brilliant cut. As You may have guessed by it's name, the Emerald Cut was originally developed for cutting Emeralds. Even though Emeralds are a relatively hard gemstone, (7.5 to 8.0 on the MOHS Scale of hardness)they are especially prone to inclusions. (Inclusions are internal flaws that occur naturally in gemstones) These inclusions make Emeralds difficult to cut and prone to breaking. The "Emerald cutting process" reduces the risk. Soon it was discovered that using this process would work with diamonds too.

Typically, an emerald shape diamond has 57 facets. 25 facets are on the crown, 8 facets on the girdle, and 24 facets on the pavilion. The facets of an Emerald cut diamond are broad with flat planes resembling the steps of of a staircase. The Emerald cut diamond is not as popular as it used to be, but it is a very classic and elegant diamond shape. It tends to be less fiery than other diamond shapes, however the flashes of light can be broader and more dramatic.

If you are considering purchasing an emerald cut diamond, It is usually recommended to purchase the highest grade you can afford. (Usually no lower than VS clarity and G color) This is because the emerald cut diamond is very transparent. It has A "Glassy" look to it. Clarity flaws, low color, or poor cut, will be easier to see by the naked eye than it would be with other diamond shapes.

The good news is, emerald cut diamonds can cost less than other diamond shapes of comparable size and quality. So you can usually offset some of the cost of a higher clarity and color grade and get a bigger diamond.

A famous emerald shaped diamond is "The Jonker". This diamond was found by Johannes Jacobus Jonker and it weighs in at 125.33 carats!!

Radiant Cut Diamond

The Radiant Cut Diamond Shape is basically a combination of the traditional emerald cut shape with a brilliant cut. What you end up with when you combine these two cutting styles, is essentially a "Brilliantized Step Cut" diamond shape. A radiant shaped diamond is a good possible choice for people who are attracted to the classic elegance of the emerald cut diamond, but would like a more brilliant sparkle.

The radiant cut diamond was developed by Henry Grossbard in 1977. This diamond shape has been extremely popular in the past. It has more facets (70) than a princess and has "Cut" corners like the emerald shape.

The depth percentages are generally deeper in this type of diamond shape, due to the way it is designed, in order to achieve the maximum amount of light refraction.

A radiant shaped diamond will look appealing in just about any type of diamond ring setting. Classic solitaire diamond rings, or paired with side stones such as trillion cut diamonds, baguettes, or even princess shaped side stones are common. The setting for a radiant cut diamond ring should be set with special prongs to hold the cut corners securely.

The Radiant Cut Diamond is my personal favorite. It has maximum amounts of brilliance and sparkle, but without the fragile pointed corners of the Princess Cut Diamond. Quite literally unsurpassed in classical diamond beauty.

Princess Cut Diamond

The Princess Cut Diamond was developed by Basil Watermeyer from Johannesburg in 1963. A similiar predecessor to the princess cut diamond was The Barion Cut Diamond.

Today The Princess Cut Diamond is quickly increasing in popularity for engagement rings. One reason is because the Princess Cut Diamond can offer almost as much brilliance and fire as a nicely cut round shaped diamond. It was designed for it. The Princess Cut Diamond is also very good at hiding imperfections because of the way it is cut. You could consider it the best of both worlds.

The Princess Cut is very popular for just about any type of diamond ring including solitaire diamond rings. The Princess Cut Diamond also works very well as accents. A very popular engagement ring in jewelry stores today consists of a princess cut diamond with baguettes. It tends to be more visually appealing than a round cut diamond with baguettes. It can also be a good choice if you would like a more unique engagement ring than your more common tiffany style, round engagement ring.

Princess Cut Diamonds are typically square in shape, but can be rectangular too. Deep stones generally work better with the princess cut diamond.

Due to the fact that Princess cut diamonds are very firey and brilliant, as well as hiding inclusions very well, lower color and clarity grades will look better than most other diamond shapes.

 

The Oval Cut Diamond

The Oval Cut Diamond is an elongated relative of the round cut diamond. It has 55-56 Facets. 33 on the crown of the diamond and 22 on the pavilion of the diamond. A good length to width ratio is 1.5 To 1. This ratio will look very good mounted in a setting. Although the oval shaped diamond is not as popular as the round cut diamond, it is still a very flexible diamond shape. It will look good in a Traditional solitaire setting or with accent stones such as baguettes.

An Oval shape diamond tends to look bigger than other diamonds of equal carat weight. An Oval Shaped Diamond can also give a flattering illusion of length to shorter fingers.

The Oval shaped brilliant diamond was created by Lazare Kaplan in the early 1960's.

A very famous Oval shaped diamond is the "Koh-I-Noor" also known as "Mountain Of Light". This diamond was found in India. (as almost all of the worlds' diamonds were until the 19th century) This famous diamond is rumored to bring bad luck to all men who posses it and good luck to all women who posses it. When it was discovered it weighed 186 1/16th carats. The diamond was given to Queen Victoria in 1851. After believing that the diamond did not exude enough brilliance, Queen Victoria had it Re-Cut under the supervision of Prince Albert. The additional cutting shaved off 42% of the diamonds weight and left it weighing 105.602 carats.

After the re-cutting, it was decided that the diamond was still lacking in brilliance and The Koh-I-Noor was mounted in a tiara with more than 2,000 other diamonds.

Marquise Cut Diamond

The Marquise Cut Diamond shape is a regal, elongated shape with tapering points at both ends. Typicall Marquise Cut Diamonds have 55 facets. 33 Facets are on the crown of the diamond and 22 facets are on the pavilion of the diamond. The Marquise Cut is rumored to be named after an influential patronage of the arts and literature in the 17th century, named Marquis Of Pompadour.

The recommended ratio of a Marquise cut diamond is typically 2 to 1.0. This means that the length is about 2 times longer than it's width. However as with most recommended ratios, personal preference is always the most important. If you prefer to buy a marquise cut diamond with a shorter and wider ratio, or a longer and thinner ratio, by all means do it. Just pay attention to the diamonds symmetry. Typically a good symmetry means a brighter, more beautiful diamond.

A Marquise Cut Diamond will look good as a solitaire diamond ring. It will also look good in a diamond ring with accent diamonds. Some common accent diamonds used for Marquise Cut Diamond Engagement Rings are Baguette Diamonds as well as Trillion Cut Diamonds.

A 6 prong setting should be used for a Marquise cut diamond. 4 prongs positioned on the side to hold the body of the diamond, and a "V" shaped prong on each end of the diamond. The "V" shaped prongs on the ends will help protect the pointed ends of the Marquise Diamond. These ends are the most vulnerable part of the Marquise Diamond Shape.

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Pear Shaped Diamond

The Pear Shaped Diamond is a very beautiful and unique diamond shape that is rounded on one end, and has a tapering point at the other. It resembles a tear drop. Typically the Pear Shaped Diamond looks best as a Center Diamond. Side Stones are also used with a pear shaped diamond. Baguette Diamonds are very common as accent diamonds. Although the pear shaped diamond looks good with accent diamonds, it is usually not used as an accent diamond itself. Pear Shaped Diamonds are also commonly used and look very good in Drop Earrings.

The typical recommended ratio is 1.5 to 1.0. and the Pear shaped diamond has 56 facets. Good symmetry is very important with a pear shaped diamond to ensure that light is reflected evenly, especially in the point of the diamond.

A special setting usually accompanies a Pear Shaped Diamond. The setting will usually consist of 5 prongs. 2 prongs will hold the rounded end of the diamond, 2 will hold the curved sides of the diamond, and 1 prong will be "V" shaped to hold and protect the pointed end.

A very famous Pear Shaped Diamond is known as "The Star Of South Africa". It is 47.69 carats and is credited with turning the tides of fortune in South Africa. The Star Of South Africa was found by a Griqua shepard boy in 1869. Legend has it that an individual by the name of Schalk van Niekerk purchased the diamond from the shepard boy for 500 sheep, 10 oxen, and a horse. Although this was almost all of Niekerk's possesions, a few days later he sold the rough diamond for $56,000!!

Heart Shaped Diamond

The Heart Shaped Diamond Can actually be a more popular choice of men than women. It is considered to be a very romantic diamond shape. It is similiar to the Pear shaped diamond, however it has a cleft in the rounded end of the diamond that creates the form of the heart shaped lobes.

The setting for a heart shaped diamond is also similiar to a pear shaped diamond. It should consist of 5 prongs. 2 prongs should be placed on the lobes of the heart shape, 2 prongs should be placed on the sides of the diamond, and 1 "V" shaped prong should be placed at the point of the heart shaped diamond. This will help protect the point which is considered to be the most vulnerable part of the diamond.

A very famous heart shaped diamond is the "Blue Heart Diamond". It is an extremely rare deep blue color and weighs 30.82 metric carats. This diamond has also been referred to as the "Eugenie Blue". The French Diamond Cutting firm of Atanik Ekyanan of Neuilly, Paris cut the heart shape in 1909 to 1910. The date raises the question of whether the diamond came from Africa or India.

In 1959 Harry Winston Bought the diamond, and sold it five years later to Marjorie Merriweather Post. Mrs. Post donated the diamond to the Smithsonian Institute, where it still resides today.

 

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DIAMOND CLARITY

When shopping for an engagement ring, it may be helpful to know this terminology.

Diamonds Are Graded By The 4 C's.

(C)olor----(C)larity----(C)arat----(C)ut

THIS PAGE WILL FOCUS ON DIAMOND CLARITY

www.diamondjewelry4u.com Offers 1 Carat Diamond Engagement Rings For $1999 Or Less-Guaranteed!

A Diamonds' Clarity Can Have A Large Impact On Beauty AND Price

Clarity Is Measured On A Scale Of FL to I3.

*(FL=Flawless) Flawless Means No Inclusions Or Blemishes Of Any Kind When Examined By A Skilled Grader Under (10X) Magnification

*(IF=Internally Flawless) This Means No Inclusions, and only insignificant surface blemishes are present.

*(VVS1 & VVS2= VERY VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED)

*(VVS1) Inclusions in this grade can be EXTREMELY DIFFICULT to see and are only visible from the pavilion, and only with (10X) magnification.

*(VVS2) Inclusions are still difficult to see but easier than (VVS1) You would most likely need (10X) magnification to see them. It is unlikely that the naked eye would be able to see any inclusions in a VVS2 diamond.

* (VS1 & VS2= VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED) Minor inclusions are present. These inclusions are SOMEWHAT easy-to-Difficult for a trained grader to see under 10x magnification. It is still unlikely that a naked eye would be able to detect these inclusions.

FL to VS Grades Could Be Considered Unnecessarily Good-Or Luxury Grade. If The 4 C's Are Well Balanced, An (SI) Grade Diamond Can be Very Impressive! The Engagement Ring Above Has An (SI) Grade Center Diamond

* (SI1 & SI2= Slightly Included) Inclusions are seen easy-to-very easy by an experienced grader using (10X) magnification. Possible For the naked eye to see the inclusions without the aid of magnification if looking at the diamond CLOSELY. This would be more true of an (SI2)

When shopping for a Diamond Engagement Ring, these two grades are certainly worth Considering. Especially if you are working with a limited budget.

* (I1/I2/I3= IMPERFECT!!!) OBVIOUS INCLUSIONS-These Inclusions Can Usually be seen VERY EASILY without magnification. Inclusions in I3 Diamonds may even THREATEN the durability of the diamond.

Although it is possible for a diamond with a (I1) clarity to look somewhat pleasing to the naked eye, I would suggest purchasing a diamond with a higher clarity if at all possible. Especially when it's for the purchase of an engagement ring.

We have included a Picture Of A "Certified" One carat ROUND BRILLIANT Cut Diamond At The Bottom Of This Page for informational purposes. It's Clarity Grade is (I2) And It's Color Is (F-G) The certificate Was issued By A Company that is Highly Regarded. This diamond was appraised to be worth an Estimated Retail Value of $6,630.00 Dollars. The serial number is laser inscribed on the girdle of the diamond.

Lessons That Can Be Learned Might Be:

#1) This is an example of what you could get if you purchase a diamond with this clarity rating. You Can SEE FOR YOURSELF How Important Diamond CLARITY can be!!

#2) Even A Diamond with GOOD COLOR can LOOK VERY BAD if you do not have the right balance of the 4 C's

#3) Having A Serial Number Laser inscribed on your diamond does not guarantee a High quality or Nice looking Diamond.

#4) "Appraisals" or "Certificates" may not reflect the TRUE VALUE of a diamond. Grading And VALUATION is not considered to be an Exact Science. It Can be very subjective and may even vary by a couple of grades depending upon many factors. Factors such as Lighting/Grading techniques/the ability and-or experience of the appraiser or gemologist/And even the condition or type of equipment being used. This fact is typically covered very extensively in small print, on the back of the certificate with multiple disclaimers. Don't Forget to bring your reading glasses.

#5) Don't possibly overpay for a Diamond Or Diamond Engagement Ring just because A "Professional" or an "Organization" issued a certificate with it. I find that even an amateur can tell if a diamond is good, just by looking at it. If It shines and sparkles like crazy, chances are you have a good one. And You just might be able to save a lot of money by not having that fancy piece of paper!!

If You would like to know more about how you can save a lot of money on your diamond engagement ring, please view our engagement ring selection by clicking one of the links provided or the tab at the top of the page.

"The Sparkle Factor" is what everyone wants in their diamond without spending MORE MONEY THAN THEY CAN AFFORD. It is achieved with a proper balance of (C)olor-(C)larity-And (C)ut.

Of Course the last "C" (Carat Size)does not have any effect on "The Sparkle Factor" However it certainly has an effect on the person showing it off!!!

Although The Diamond Pitured Below Is Certified-It Has A Low Clarity Grade-Diamonds With I1, I2, Or I3 Clarity Grades Are Not Usually Nearly As Beautiful As Higher Grades

A Clarity Enhanced Diamond Engagement Ring Can Offer Remarkable Value-Clarity Enhanced Diamonds Have Been Referred To As "The Diamond Of The Future"

You Can Have The Largest, Most Visually Stunning Diamond You Ever Dreamed Of, For A Price That Has Never Been Possible-Until Now!

The Process Works Like This:

The State-Of-The-Art Technology, Optically Eliminates "feathers" which occur in most diamonds. This is Done By Coating The Feather With A Glass-Like Material That Adds Virtually No Weight To The Diamond.

The Transparent "Glass-Like" Material Has Almost The Same Optical And Light Refractive Properties As The Diamond Itself. This Allows Light To Pass Through The Feather (Thereby Masking It)Instead Of Deflecting Off In An Undesirable Direction.

The Result:

A More Visually Stunning Diamond That You Can Purchase For SIGNIFICANTLY LESS Than A Similiar "Non-Enhanced" Diamond.

Best Of All, Clarity Enhanced Diamonds are Totally Natural And Come From The Same Diamond Mines as "Non-Enhanced Diamonds"

The Clarity Enhancement Process Is Totally Invisible To The Naked Eye And Can Even Be Difficult To Detect Under 10x Magnification.

Only A TRAINED Jeweler will Ever Know That You Own A "Clarity-Enhanced Diamond" In Your Ring!!

 

Fine Diamond Jewelry Deal

For clarity grades F through SI, inclusions (internal flaws) are NOT visible to the naked eye.

When we speak of a diamond's clarity, we are referring to the presence of identifying characteristics on (blemishes) and within (inclusions) the stone.

If you think about the incredible amount of pressure it takes to create a diamond and the fact that natural diamonds are not grown in a sterile laboratory, it's no surprise that most diamonds have flaws.

Basically there are two types of flaws: inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions refer to internal flaws and blemishes refer to surface flaws. However, in the diamond grades listed below, you'll note that none of the grades include the term "blemish" -- for the purposes of grading diamonds, all flaws are called "inclusions."

Inclusions include flaws such as air bubbles, cracks, and non-diamond minerals found in the diamond. Blemishes include scratches, pits, and chips. Some blemishes occur during the cutting processes (most often at the girdle). Diamonds with no or few inclusions and blemishes are more highly valued than those with less clarity because they are rarer.

How are diamonds graded for clarity?
Diamonds are graded for clarity under 10x loupe magnification. Grades range from Flawless (diamonds which are completely free of blemishes and inclusions), to Included 3 (diamonds which possess large, heavy blemishes and inclusions that are visible to the naked eye).

• F
  Flawless: No internal or external flaws. Extremely rare.
• IF
  Internally Flawless: no internal flaws, but some surface flaws. Very rare.
• VVS1-VVS2
  Very Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions very difficult to detect under 10x magnification by a trained gemologist.
• VS1-VS2
  Very Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions seen only with difficulty under 10x magnification.
• SI1-SI2
  Slightly Included (two grades). Minute inclusions more easily detected under 10x magnification.

  REMEMBER: For grades F through SI, a diamond's clarity grade has an impact on the diamond's value, not on the unmagnified diamond's appearance.

• I1-I2-I3
  Included (three grades). Inclusions visible under 10x magnification AS WELL AS to the human eye. We do not recommend buying diamonds in any of these grades.

F-IF
VVS1-VVS2
VS1-VS2
SI1-SI2
I1-I2-I3

While the presence of these clarity characteristics (inclusions and blemishes) do lower the clarity grade of a diamond, they can also be viewed as proof of a diamond's identity. GIA certificates include what is known as a "plot" of a diamond's inclusions -- think of it as a "diamond fingerprint." Since no two diamonds are exactly the same, comparing the uniqueness of your diamond's clarity characteristics with the plot provided on the diamond certificate offers assurance that the diamond you pay for is the same diamond you receive.

Color Diamond

Diamond Color Is Graded Using The Letters (D To Z) The Letters A,B,&C Are Not Used.

Diamond Color Can Be Fun And Important.

If You Are Shopping For A Diamond, It Is Important To Educate Yourself On The 4 C's Of Diamonds.

The 4 C's Are:

(C)olor, (C)ut, (C)larity, (C)arat

When Talking About Diamond Color, The Song "Somewhere Over The rainbow" from the "Wizard Of Oz" comes to mind. That is because Natural Diamonds Can be found in just about every color of the rainbow.

Over 300 Colors Have Been Identified So Far. However, There are just about "an infinite number of shades" found in each.

Some examples of "Fancy" colored diamonds are: Pink, Black, Green, Yellow, Blue, Brown and many more.

When Choosing The Color Of a diamond, one could refer to the old saying "Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder". Some of the world's most famous diamonds are not considered to be "perfect color". You can read more about some of the worlds most famous diamonds on our other pages.

However When We Speak Of Diamond Color, We Are Usually Referring To (The Absence Or Presence) Of Color In "White" Diamonds

Although Diamonds Are Found In A Variety Of Colors, the diamonds that are sold in most diamond rings or diamond jewelry will be white(Colorless) to yellow in color.

The Yellow Color visible in some diamonds is caused by trace amounts of nitrogen. Only one part in a million is required to produce a yellow diamond in the "K" color category.

Diamonds With Yellow Color Are Considered To Be Less Valuable And Less Desirable. That Is Because A Yellow Diamond May Be Less Sparkly And More Dull

There is an exception to this rule though: "Fancy Yellow Diamonds" (Also referred to as Canary Diamonds)

These diamonds are placed in a seperate category. Fancy Yellow Diamonds can be a very beautiful, bright and sparkly yellow color. There are 4 categories for "Fancy Yellow" diamonds.

(#1-Lowest)Fancy Light Yellow (#2) Fancy Yellow (#3) Fancy Intense Yellow (#4-Highest) Fancy Vivid Yellow

Each deeper shade will will bring a higher price!!

"D" Is The Highest And Most Valuable Diamond Color Grade. Diamonds With A "D" Grade Are Very Rare And Highly Desirable. They Are Considered "Colorless"

Although Diamonds That Are graded (D to F) are the most desirable and valuable, Diamonds graded slightly less than colorless ("G" "H" or "I") can be appealing as well, especially if a good balance is maintained with Cut and Clarity as well. They are also a great way to save money. Some sellers will include "J" in this category, however it is my experience that "J" colored diamonds are too yellow to be considered. (Unless You actually desire a yellow diamond-Just make sure you also enjoy the savings that should come with a "J" color diamond!!)

I would also like to suggest that before you actually purchase a diamond in the "I" or "J" color (Or below), that you place it directly next to a higher color diamond to compare. This is a good way to actually see the color difference for yourself, before it's too late. It is also proper to note that some lighting conditions will have a greater effect in showing the yellow tinge in lower grades.

If You are going to buy a diamond engagement ring or diamond ring, also be aware of the fact that white gold or platinum will show the yellow tinge of these grades more than yellow gold. Yellow gold will tend to hide it.

We decided to include both the diamond color "picture" above, and the diamond color "chart" below. The diamond color chart below is the full color grading system (D to Z).

We hope the two illustrations combined will give you a better vision of diamond color.

To View The Diamond Color Of Our Platinum Wedding Rings, Diamond Wedding Rings, Wedding Engagement Rings, Engagement Ring And Wedding Band, Custom Wedding Rings, Diamond Engagement Rings, Antique Engagement Rings, White Gold Engagement Rings, And Discount Engagement Rings-Please Click Here Now!!!!!

Cut Your Diamond

Cut Matters!! You Can Cut Your Diamond Engagement Ring Cost Substantially By Clicking On The Provided Link Below

Stop Paying Too Much For Diamonds!! Click Here To View Our Large Selection Of Fine Quality Diamond Jewelry At Substantial Discounts!! We Offer 1 Carat Diamond Rings For $1999 & Under

At Secret-Diamond.com You Will Cut Diamond Cost!!

A Good Understanding of diamonds is helpful before before you start shopping. Learning about diamonds is really learning about the 4 C's of diamonds. (C)ut--(C)larity--(C)olor--(C)arat

These are the criteria jewelers and gemologists use when grading diamonds. Understanding these criteria will help you buy the diamond that is right for you.

Cut Is The Only One Of The 4 C's That Is Not Determined By Mother Nature

When diamonds are first mined, they are not exactly the essance of brilliance and beauty. You could very easily pass by a rough diamond on the ground and mistake it for just an ordinary rock. That is why they are referred to as "Rough Diamonds"

The hands of skilled craftsmen are required to "Cut and Polish" a diamond in order for it to exhibit fire and brilliance. How much fire and brilliance a diamond will exhibit depends greatly upon how well or poorly it is cut.

This is where it is important to know that the word cut does not just refer to a diamonds' shape.(Example: Princess Cut, Round Cut, Oval Cut, Cushion Cut, etc..) It also refers to the physical aspects of a diamond such as proportions, polish, symmetry, and angles.

Diamond Cutting requires tremendous skill and training. The "cutter" is the person that will create the tiny surfaces on the diamond known as the "Facets" This process is what creates the "Crown", "Cutlet", "table", "girdle", and "pavilion" of the diamond.

The Facets Of A Diamond Work Like Tiny Mirrors

When light enters a "Well Cut" diamond, the light will reflect from one "mirror-like" facet to another until it is directed up through the top of the diamond. This is what creates the brilliance and fire of a diamond. (Also called sparkle) Maximum sparkle will be created when light does not "leak" out of the diamond.

Diamonds that are cut "too shallow" or "too deep" will cause light to leak out in the wrong places, and that will cause the diamond to lose some of it's sparkle. The cut of a diamond can have the biggest impact on the beauty of the diamond and still have a small impact on the price.

It's quite possible to save money by choosing a diamond with lower clarity or color and still have an absolutely gorgeous diamond if it is cut well. That is why mantaining a good balance between all of the 4 C's is so important.

A Well Cut Diamond May Compensate For Lower Color Or Clarity

Cut also refers to a diamonds shape. Diamonds can be cut in many different shapes and they will all handle light differently. The longer shapes tend to have a slight "bow-tie" effect.

This means they have a small zone in the center where light can leak out from underneath the diamond. This is especially true for Heart Shaped diamonds, Pear Shaped diamonds, Oval Shaped diamonds, and Marquise Cut Diamonds.

The Round Brilliant Ideal Cut Diamond will reflect the most light and therefore provide the most sparkle. Most gemologists agree that a well cut diamond will adhere to certain percentages calculated to maximize brilliance.

The calculations will be seen in a diamonds proportions, most importantly how the depth compares to the diameter, and how the diameter of the table compares to the diameter of the diamond.

Because Cut is considered to be so important, several grading methods have been developed to help consumers determine the cut of a diamond. In general these grades are Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, and Fair.

To Create A Well Cut Diamond, A Craftsman May Need To Cut Away More Than 50% Of The Rough Diamond

Diamonds are cut by different diamond cutters from around the world. Some have more experience and patience than others.

Rough diamonds are similiar to snowflakes in that no two are the same. Each rough diamond has it's own distinct inclusions.

Because cutting diamonds means losing diamond carat weight in the diamond cutting process, there is always a compromise between beauty and size.

A typical Round Brilliant Cut Diamond has 58 facets. 33 Facets are on the crown of the diamond and 25 are on the pavillion of the diamond.

When Looking To Buy A Well Cut Diamond-The Two Most Important Numbers To Know Are Depth Percentage And Table Percentage

For More Detailed Information On What Are Considered Ideal Cut Diamonds Or Also Referred To As Well Cut Diamonds Please View Our Other Page Titled "Ideal Cut" This page will explain such things as depth percentages, table percentages, crown height, pavillion depth, and polish and symmetry

It is also important to note that cut also refers to diamond shape. To see pictures and descriptions of diamond shapes please view our page called "Shapes"

This page is provided to be a brief summary for explaining the cut of a diamond

To View Our Selection Of Platinum Engagement Rings, White Gold Diamond Rings, Yellow Gold Engagement Rings, Gold Diamond Engagement Rings, Princess Cut Diamond and Solitaire Diamond Rings-Please Click Here

About Diamond Carat

Bigger Diamonds With Smaller Prices Is Our Specialty

Stop Paying Too Much For Diamonds-We Are Making Diamond Jewelry Affordable-Many 1 Carat Diamond Rings Offered At $1999 And Under-Click Here Now!!

Want A Bigger Diamond For Less? You Have Come To The Right Place!!

DIAMONDS ARE GRADED BY THE 4 C's (C)olor---(C)larity---(C)ut---(C)arat

THIS PAGE WILL FOCUS ON "CARAT" weight.

The Word "Carat" Used To Measure A Diamonds' Weight, Should Not Be Confused With The Word "Karat" Which Describes Gold

A Major factor that determines The Price Of A Diamond is "Carat weight."

The term "Carat" is the unit of measurement used to determine diamond WEIGHT Only. It is important to know that-weight and size-are 2 different things when describing a diamond. Even Though 2 diamonds may each "Weigh" one carat, the SIZE of one might "APPEAR" bigger than the other. That is because the weight can "HIDE" in different parts of the diamond. You Can have a Deep Cut/Well Cut Or Shallow Cut Diamond. When viewed from the top, A "shallow cut" diamond may APPEAR LARGER than a "well cut" or "deep cut" diamond. That Is because the weight is spread out more. This is often referred to as a "Diamond"

Just imagine that you have a lump of dough sitting on your counter. Now take a rolling pin and start spreading out the dough. When you are done, the "SIZE" of the dough will look much larger. However you still have the same "WEIGHT"

I hope that analogy helps!!

One "Carat" equals 100 points, just like one "Dollar" equals 100 pennies

A Diamond Of "100" Points equals (1.0 carat)OR "1 Carat"

A Diamond of "5o Points" equals (.50 carat) OR a "1/2 carat"

One more note: One carat is equal to 0.20 Grams Or 200 Milligrams.

The Word "Carat" Was Derived From The Word "Carob". Carob Seeds Were Used To Balance Scales In Ancient Times. Carob Seeds Are So Uniform In Weight And Shape, Their Differences Are Measured In The Thousandth's

 

Bigger Diamonds Are Not Always Better-Properly Balancing The 4 C's Is Always Recommended To Find The Best Diamond That You Can Afford-Just Look At The Diamond Pictured Below!!

The Larger A Diamond Becomes, The More "Rare" It Becomes. This Means That A Larger Diamonds' Cost Will Be Disproportionately Higher Than A Smaller Diamond Of Similiar Quality. The Bigger The Diamond-The Bigger The Price Increase!!

It Is important to understand that a Diamonds' Size is not the only factor in determining a diamonds' price or BEAUTY.

The other 3 (c's) have a large impact as well.

We Are Not Saying That ALL Diamonds In The (I1) (I2) and (I3) Grades Will Look Like The Diamond Above. But There Is a Possibility That It Could!!

If you are like 95% of all diamond buyers, You Want to purchase the largest-most beautiful diamond for the least amount of money possible.

By maintaining a "Balance" of the 4 C's You are sure to get the most "Bang For The Buck"

For Example: A one carat (G)color (SI1)clarity diamond can be a Very Nice Looking Diamond (especially if it is cut well) And The Best Part is, it would most likely cost MUCH LESS than a one carat(D)color(VVS1)clarity Diamond. And Chances are nobody will ever be able to tell the difference. (Unless They are looking at it under 10x binocular magnification)

If You would like to see for yourself how you can save a lot of money on a diamond engagement ring, Please take time to look at our selection Of "Clarity Enhanced" diamond engagement rings.

A Clarity Enhanced Diamond From www.Secret-Diamond.com will enable you to buy a Well Balanced Diamond At A Price That Has Never Been Possible-UNTIL NOW!!

If You Click on the link for our home page or the Diamond Clarity Page, we explain the clarity enhancement process in more detail.

This site was developed to give you the most important information regarding Non-Enhanced diamonds and Clarity Enhanced Diamonds.

We Believe Very Strongly In Giving Our Customers the most information And Value Possible, With their Diamond Ring Purchase.

It Is Our Belief That A Happy And Satisfied Customer, Is A Customer For Life.

Perhaps You Will Even Feel Comfortable Recommending Us To your Best Friends And Relatives!!

Thank You For Taking The Time To Visit Us At Our Website. We Hope You Enjoyed Your Stay.

 

The Secret Diamond That Jewelers Don't Want You To Know About!! Bigger Can Mean Better With Our Clarity Enhanced Diamond Rings-Click Here To See For Yourself!!

About The 4 C's Diamond

If You Want To Learn About Diamonds-Start With The "4 C's"

So It's time to buy a diamond and you keep hearing the term "The 4 C's"

What in the heck are the 4 C's you ask? Well it's definately something that is worth learning about. Especially if you are buying something significant with a diamond in it, such as an engagement ring, anniversary ring, or wedding ring. And the best part is, that it's really quite easy.

 

The 4 C's Is Your First Step In The Diamond Buyer's Boot Camp

The 4 C's is essentially a universally accepted "diamond grading system" developed by the Gemological Institute Of America. (Also referred to as GIA) The 4 C's grading system is now pretty much the "Standard Methodology" that is used virtually everywhere in the world by diamond professionals. (It really caught on) It is how you will know what you are buying in relation to other diamonds. And more importantly it will help you establish what a diamond is worth and how it should look.

The World Famous 4 C's (Color/Carat/Clarity/Cut)

You see years ago, jewelers would ACTUALLY USE THEIR OWN grading systems and terms. (Talk about the fox watching the hen house!!) These grading systems and terms were pretty much used by each individual jeweler to suit their own best interests, and to make their diamonds seem superior. Some of these jewelers might even use terms like "Blue White" or "Gem Blue". Huh??

Today if you want to know the color of a diamond, you will hear a simple one letter description (D through Z).

Why Does The Diamond Color Chart Start With D?

Great Question!

The diamond color chart starts with D precisely because of how diamonds WERE GRADED IN THE PAST. What?? Let me explain.

Because there was no "Standardized" grading system in place, jewelers were free to use any terms or so-called systems that came to mind. These included Arabic and Roman numeral systems. Some also used A, B, and C as referance points. Because the 4C's were not developed yet, maybe selling an "A" quality diamond to a customer wasn't good enough. Then a jeweler might ask the question: What do I do when my competiton has an "A" diamond but I want the sale? I will call my diamond a "Double AA". I don't personally know if anybody went so far as Triple AAA!! (Get the picture)

What better way to distance the new 4 C's from the old system than to start from D?

 

Gemological Institute Of America (GIA) Saves The Day!!

At Some point it only seems logical that somebody would say "Enough is Enough!" That somebody just happened to be the Gemological Institute Of America.

The GIA developed the famous system (known as the 4 C's) that is widely used today to uniformly grade the characteristics of diamonds. The Four C's are (C)olor--(C)larity--(C)arat and (C)ut.

Three of the "4 C's" are pre-determined by Mother Nature. They are The Color of a diamond, The Clarity of a diamond, and The Carat of a diamond.

The last "C" is The Cut of a diamond. It is the only "C" that is determined by us Humans. (Don't mistake "Cut" for shape)

Many jewelers will tell you which one of the 4 C's they think is the most important. Some will say the cut of a diamond is most important. (usually the ones selling the most expensive diamonds) Others may say the clarity is most important, and yet others may even say the color of a diamond is most important. (And of course there are people that just want a big rock!)

I personally do not believe that any one of the 4 C's can be considered "THE MOST IMPORTANT". For the vast majority of the diamond buying public, who are not millionaires, the best way to shop for a diamond is to get a little bit of everything.

If you want a bigger diamond, you might have to settle for a little lower clarity or color, to stay in the same price range. Or maybe you want to do the opposite. Get the highest color and clarity you can afford, but purchase a little smaller diamond. Remember one thing though, Diamonds are like snowflakes; no two are exactly alike.

Your diamond choices are endless!!

Balance The 4 C's And Get The Best Diamond For Your Money

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