Education

Diamonds

The 4C's - Cut

Of all the 4Cs, the cut of a diamond is the most important element to consider when buying a diamond. In determining the quality of the cut, the diamond grader evaluates the cutter's skill in the fashioning of the diamond. The more precise the cut, the more spark and brilliance the diamond is to the eye.

Buying Tip

To maximize your budget, choose the highest diamond cut grade your budget allows. We suggest a cut grade of very good or better.

References

Diamond Cuts

Diamonds

The 4C's - Color

The color of gem-quality diamonds occurs in many hues - ranging from colorless to light yellow or light brown, with colorless diamonds being the rarest. Other natural colors (blue, red, pink for example) are known as "fancy", and their color grading is different than that of white colorless diamonds.

The color-grading scale for diamonds from the Gemological Institute of America is the industry standard. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues with increasing presence of color to the letter Z, or light yellow or brown. Each letter grade has a clearly defined range of color appearance. Diamonds are color-graded by comparing them to stones of known color under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions.

Buying Tip

For the best value in what would appear to the naked eye as a colorless diamond, look for G-J diamonds. Because color is easier to detect in larger diamonds, opt for G-H in diamonds over 1 carat, and I-J for those under 1 carat. Once set in a ring, these diamonds will look just like higher color grade diamonds. Instead of investing in higher color, invest in higher cut, the most important factor in a diamond's brilliance.

References

American Gem Society
Gemological Institute of America - Color

Diamonds

The 4C's - Clarity

Diamonds can have internal characteristics known as inclusions or external characteristics known as blemishes. Diamonds without inclusions or blemishes are rare; however, most characteristics can only be seen with 10x magnification using a jeweler’s loupe tool.

Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF)
Flawless diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x. Internally Flawless diamonds have no inclusions visible under 10x, but can have very minor blemishes (marks and features confined to the surface only).

Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS)
A diamond with a clarity grade of VVS1 or VVS2 has minute inclusions that are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.

Very Slightly Included (VS)
Very Slightly Included diamonds with a clarity grade of VS1 or VS2 have minor inclusions.

Slightly Included (SI)
Slightly Included diamonds with a clarity grade of SI1 or SI2 have noticeable inclusions that are fairly easy to see under 10x magnification. Sometimes, these inclusions can be visible to the unaided eye.

Included (I)
Included diamonds with a clarity grade of I1, I2, or I3, have inclusions that are obvious at 10x magnification. Sometimes, they can be seen with the naked eye. At the lower clarities, may have an effect on the diamond’s durability.

Buying Tip

The most popular range is SI1, where the inclusions are usually not significant enough to impact the appearance of the diamond for the casual observer. Often, customers will opt for this clarity range in exchange for a higher cut or color grade. This combination often results in a beautiful, lively diamond with imperfections detectable only upon close inspection.

References

Gemological Institute of America - Clarity

Diamonds

The 4C's - Carat

Carat is the most misunderstood of the 4Cs. It actually refers to a diamond's weight, not the diamond’s size.

The carat is the diamond’s physical weight measured in metric carats. One carat equals 1/5 gram and is subdivided into 100 points. So, 100 points equals 1 carat.

Buying Tip

To maximize your budget, "Buy Shy," which means selecting a carat weight slightly below the whole and half carat marks. For example, instead of a 2.0-carat diamond, consider buying a 1.9-carat weight. This will save a considerable amount of money and the slight size difference will never be noticed.

Gold

Carat or Karat?

The stamp on the piece of gold in this picture could indicate what use it's intended for and how many, if any, other metals were added to it.

A carat is a unit of measurement used for precious stones. A karat is a unit of measurement for the fineness of gold, with the higher numbers containing more gold and 24K being the finest.

Anyone that has gone jewelry shopping before has probably become familiar with the word "karat" as applied to gold. Generally, the higher the karat, the more expensive it will be. Why is that? The short answer is that higher karats mean more gold, but there’s more to it than that.

First, Karat is a measurement of the ratio of gold to other metals or alloys. Secondly, Karats are measured on a scale from 0 to 24. And finally, the higher the karat number, the more gold there is and the less other metal content. Other metals and alloys could include copper, nickel (not common anymore), silver, or palladium. With this in mind, 24-karat gold is the purest gold you can buy.

24 Karat Gold
Fineness: 1000
Gold: 100%

22 Karat Gold
Fineness: 916.7
Gold: 91.67%

18 Karat Gold
Fineness: 750
Gold: 75%

14 Karat Gold
Fineness: 583.3
Gold: 58.3%

10 Karat Gold
Fineness: 416.7
Gold: 41.67%

9 Karat Gold
Fineness: 375
Gold: 37.5%

References

Owlcation, February 2019
Malabar Gold & Diamonds, 2020

Birthstones

Stones for Each Month

Birthstones are a fun, popular, and colorful introduction to the world of gemstones - they appeal to audiences around the world. Birthstones carry secrets, attributes, and lore, that are unique to each gemstone. There are countless myths and legends around the many different powers and attributes that birthstones have. Whether or not you believe these legends, it’s hard to disagree that learning about birthstones can be an educational and entertaining experience.

References

Gemological Institute of America - Birthstones