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Diamond Education
We want you to be confident with your diamond purchase. For many people, a diamond is the largest purchase of their life. With that consideration, we recognize the importance of understanding exactly what you are buying. This guide simplifies the four Cs — cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, as well as diamond shapes and certifications. After reading this guide, you will be better prepared to choose the diamond that is right for you. |
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Diamond Shape
Round diamonds, princess diamonds, marquise diamonds, oval diamonds or pear-shaped diamonds? What to think about before buying a diamond of any particular shape.
The shape of a diamond is a matter of personal taste. While a round diamond may appeal to a more traditional woman, a heart shape has greater appeal to the hopelessly romantic. But there are other considerations to take into account before making your final selection.
How will the shape of the diamond look on your hand? A woman with a small hand may prefer a round or princess shape diamond; whereas, a woman with long, slender fingers can wear a marquise, pear or oval shape diamond without having it cover too much of her finger to look elegant. The setting – or mounting -- for a diamond also plays a role in how the diamond looks on a woman's hand. A heavier, more elaborate setting, for instance, would not appear graceful on a smaller hand. Certain settings also enhance the beauty of a particular shape of diamond better than others.
Diamond Cut
Of the 4 C's, the diamond's cut is the most important factor in determining its brilliance and beauty of a diamond. There are many shapes that diamonds are cut to but a diamonds cut refers to how well proportioned the diamond has been transformed into its shape. The shape of a diamond can be round, oval, pear, heart, marquise, emerald or princess. When speaking of a diamonds 'cut grade', we are referring to its proportions, symmetry and polish. We will not sell diamonds with a cut grade considered less than very good. Ideally, the cut of the diamond is done in a way to best reflect the light that shines into it. This is what produces the sparkle and fire we see in a beautifully cut diamond. GIA grading reports show depth % and table % ratios as compared to the width of the diamond. A good table cut should be 53-64% and a good depth cut is 58-64%. If the cut is outside of this range the diamond is considered to be cut too deep or too shallow. If the diamond is cut too heavy, or too shallow, most of the light entering into the crown is released through the bottom of the pavilion resulting in an overall dull appearance. An ideal cut diamond on the other hand, returns most of the light that enters it back through the crown giving it a very satisfying sparkle effect. |
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Diamond Color
Every diamond will range in color from clear to yellow. The most valuable diamonds will have very little color. Color in a diamond will act as a filter for the light passing through and degrade the spectrum of light emitted, making it show less sparkle.
The grade of color is usually represented by the GIA's professional color scale which gives a letter scale from D for colorless diamonds to Z for diamonds that display a yellowish or brownish color. To maintain a high level of quality we will only sell diamonds with a color rating of J or better. We prefer to recommend a diamond engagement ring with a color rating of D, E or F but realize that your budget may not allow this. Most of our customers purchase a diamond with a color rating of G, H or I because of the almost undetectable color and the value associated with these ratings.
| Color | Description |
| D | The highest color grade and the diamond is absolutely colorless. |
| E | Colorless |
| F | Colorless |
| G - H | Near Colorless |
| I - J | Near Colorless |
| K - M | Faint Yellow |
| N - Z | Light Yellow to Yellow |
Diamond Clarity
Since diamonds are found in the earth you would expect almost all of them to contain natural flaws or imperfections. In a diamond these flaws are called inclusions and are caused by carbon deposits or small feather cracks while the diamond is formed. The clarity of a diamond represents the number, type and size of flaws or inclusion which are present in the diamond. Clarity of a diamond is indicated by a grading system.
| Clarity | Description |
| FL | Flawless - No internal or external imperfections visible using a 10X microscope. |
| IF | Internally Flawless - No visible internal imperfections, but may have minor surface blemishes visible when using a 10x microscope. |
| VVS1-VVS2 | Very, very slightly included - Inclusions that are extremely difficult for a skilled observer to locate using a 10x microscope. |
| VS1-VS2 | Very slightly included - Very small inclusions that are very difficult for a skilled observer to locate using a 10x microscope. In rare instances, with larger stones, some VS1/VS2 inclusions can be seen with the naked eye, after first being located using a microscope. |
| SI1-SI2 | Slightly included - Refers to diamonds which have small inclusions that can be easily located using a 10x microscope. In some instances, such inclusions can be seen with the naked eye, after first being located using a 10x microscope. |
| I1-I3 | Imperfect - Medium to large inclusions which are readily apparent to a skilled observer with the unaided eye. (Novori does not sell this grade of diamond.) |
Diamonds with a clarity grade of Flawless or Internally Flawless and are very rare and almost always expensive. The fewer inclusions found in a diamond, the more valuable and expensive it becomes. When choosing a diamond, you should select a clarity grade in which the inclusions are not visible without magnification.
Carat Weight of a Diamond
This is probably the most common criteria shoppers are aware of. The carat weight of a diamond is simply the weight of the diamond. A carat is a unit of measurement and 1 carat is equal to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. Hence a 1.25 carat diamond will weigh 250 milligrams.
The value of a diamond comes partly due to the fact that larger diamonds are found far less often than smaller diamonds. This means that the price of a diamond will increase exponentially as the carat size of the diamond increases. All other things being equal, a 2 carat diamond will always be worth more than two 1 carat diamonds. The most common size of diamond that Novori sells is between 0.6 carats and 1.25 carats in size. This range of diamond has the best size for value ratio and is easily fitted in most pieces of jewelry.
The size or carat weight of a diamond cannot be used alone to determine the value of a diamond. A large diamond will not be as valuable if it does not show good color, a fine cut or excellent clarity. All factors (cut, color, clarity and carat weight) are used together to determine the value of a diamond.
A common misconception is that a 2 carat diamond will look twice the size of a 1 carat diamond. Since the carat of a diamond refers to its weight, a 2 carat diamond will not be 2 times the size of a 1 carat diamond but it will be twice the weight. A 0.5 carat round diamond has a diameter of approximately 5.2mm while a 1.0 carat round diamond has a diameter of approximately 6.5mm.
When choosing the carat size of your diamond, remember to keep a good balance between size and quality. If you are looking for a larger diamond, you may have to lower the color or clarity.
Diamond Certification
A diamond certificate, also called a diamond grading report, diamond dossier®, or diamond quality document, is a report created by a team of gemologists. The diamond is evaluated, measured, and scrutinized using trained eyes, a jeweler’s loupe, a microscope, and other industry tools. A completed certificate includes an analysis of the diamond’s dimensions, clarity, color, polish, symmetry, and other characteristics. Many round diamonds will also include a cut grade on the report. | View Cerificates while Shopping If you are interested in a specific certified diamond at Jewelry Treasure, you can view its certificate on our site before purchase. We offer a variety of grading reports and documentation: |
Diamond Care
Diamonds are the hardest substance on earth. They are uniquely resistant to damage by heat or scratching, and can be cut or polished only by another diamond — but an extremely hard blow to the girdle can cause a diamond to chip. By having your diamond set in a relatively protective setting, and remaining conscious of it on your finger, you can keep your diamond intact for a lifetime. Exposure during ordinary wear to perspiration and household chemicals, like chlorine and hairspray, can cause buildup that dulls the surface of a diamond. We suggest periodic cleanings to keep the diamond brilliant and refractive.
A solution of one part ammonia and six parts water can be used to clean diamond jewelry at home. If cleaning by hand, gentle scrubbing with a soft brush should loosen most dirt and greatly increase the brilliance of the diamond, but be careful not to scratch the metal of your setting. Once a year, it is a good idea to have your diamond cleaned and have the security of the setting checked.
We recommend that all diamond jewelry is stored individually in soft cloth pouches when not being worn to prevent the diamond or diamonds from scratching or dulling other jewelry.
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