DIAMOND EDUCATION

Diamond Clarity

Clarity is the indication of a diamond’s purity. In order to grade the clarity of a diamond, it is necessary to ascertain the number and nature of any inclusions, or flaw, on or in the stone as well as their size and position. They may look like tiny black flecks, crystals, clouds or feathers and they’re what make each diamond different and unique. Diamonds without flaws or inclusions are found relatively infrequently in nature. Thus the fewer flaws or inclusions are in a diamonds, the more desirable and valuable that diamond will be.
Inclusions that cannot be seen with the unaided eye do not visibly detract from the beauty of a diamond. When inclusions can be seen with the unaided eye, they begin to detract from the beauty of the stone by interfering with the light reflection, or sparkle, of the diamond.

Diamond Color

Most diamonds of gem quality vary in shade from colorless to yellow. To determine the correct color, all diamonds are compared with an internationally accepted master set of stones, the color of which ranges from D, or colorless (the most sought after) to Z, the most color tinted. Colors also occur in diamonds such as yellow, orange, pink, red, blue, etc. These vivid colors are more rare, and thus, more expensive.

Diamond Scale

A diamond’s color is graded on an alphabetical scale from D-Z, with D being entirely colorless, and Z being tinted (usually yellow or brown). Beyond “Z”, a diamond is considered to be a Vivid or “Fancy” color. Although many diamonds appear to be colorless, the vast majority have at least a little color.

Fluorescence

Fluorescence, also known as photoluminescence, is a property in some diamonds that makes them glow a certain color (usually blue or purple) when placed in an ultraviolet rich environment-like under a black light. This is not noticeable in most natural or artificial lighting.

What Color Grade is best?

This is largely a matter of personal opinion.

• For the purist, look for a colorless diamond with a grade of D-F and a fluorescence rating of faint, inert, none, or negligible.
• For an excellent value in a diamond with no noticeable color to the unaided eye, look for a near-colorless grade of G-I, and a fluorescence grade of medium or strong.
• If you’d rather not compromise on color, but would like to stay on budget, choose a diamond with a good cut, SI1-SI2 clarity, and consider going with a strong fluorescence. It will still be beautiful to the naked eye and you may prefer the unique effect of a strong fluorescence.

Diamond Cut

This is one of the most important, but most overlooked aspects of diamond beauty. In its natural state, a diamond’s beauty is generally concealed. How a diamond has been cut, polished, and to what proportions, are of utmost importance. These elements determine the life, brilliance and luster of the diamond. If these cutting factors fall below standard, the appearance of the diamond will be adversely affected. The brilliance of the round cut diamonds, but the elegance of the emerald cut and the exquisite uniqueness of such cuts as the marquise, pear, oval, heart and other shapes are also highly prized.

How the Cut Influences the Brilliance of the Diamond

This diagram shows how light enters and exits the diamond, and if your eye will get the light and the sparkle.

• Diameter: The width of the diamond as measure through the girdle.
• Table: The largest facet of a gemstone—usually on top.
• Crown: The top portion of a diamond, extending from the girdle to the table.
• Girdle: The narrow band around the widest part of the diamond.
• Pavilion: The bottom portion of a diamond, extending from the girdle to the culet.
• Culet: The facet at the bottom tip of a gemstone. The preferred culet is not visible with the natural eye.
• Depth: The height of a gemstone- measured from the culet to the table.

Diamond Carat Weight

A carat is the universal unit of measurement of weight for a diamond. It’s the easiest of the 4 C’s to determine. A carat is 0.2 grams and there are 100 points (or 200 milligrams) per carat. Larger diamonds are found relatively infrequently in nature, which puts them at the rarest level of diamonds. For this reason, a single one carat diamond is harder to find, and thus much more expensive than 100 tiny diamonds that equal a carat.
Two diamonds of the same weight can still have very different values, because quality (and thus price) is still determined by the color, clarity and cut.

The pictures have been enlarged to show detail. Not actual size.

What Size is Ideal?

This is largely a matter of personal opinion.

To choose the best carat weight of diamonds, consider personal style, the size of the finger, the size of the setting, and your budget.
• If you have a set budget, consider your options and you’ll find that there is a wide range of diamond carat weights and qualities that are available in your price range.
• Keep in mind that the smaller the finger, the larger the diamond will appear. A 1 ½ -carat diamond solitaire looks much larger on a size 4 finger than a size 8.
• Also, if a larger carat weight is important to you, yet you’re working within a budget, consider a diamond with good cut, SI1-SI2 clarity and an I or J color grade.
• Don’t forget that Diamond Dee-Lite Jewelry has a diamond upgrade program.

Diamond Certification

Today, most fine diamonds are carefully evaluated prior to being set, by a respected laboratory such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL).
The diamond grading report, or “certificate” both certifies the diamond as genuine as well as describes it in detail, providing such important information as color grade, clarity grade, carat weight, cut, proportions, polish, symmetry, etc.

There are some things to remember about certifications:

• Research the grading laboratory—not all are equal.
• Just because a diamond has a certificate, it is not necessarily a “good quality” diamond—read what the certificate says.
• A grading report is not infallible. It is always a good idea to have your diamond inspected and appraised by an independent jeweler.
• A good diamond does not always have a certification. Dealing with a reputable jeweler and knowing what to look for in a diamond could save you hundreds of dollars by looking at non-certified diamonds.
• Certifications of diamonds examined while in their setting are approximate. THESE ARE NOT EXACT and may not represent the actual grading of the diamonds.
• Most diamonds under a quarter carat are not individually certified.

Diamond Dee-Lite Diamond Upgrade Program

Any Diamond Dee-Lite diamond may be traded in at any later time on a diamond of twice the original size for the full value of the original purchase. Red Box Diamonds may be traded in for any upgrade: size, clarity, or color; with a credit of the full original purchase price.

Conflict Diamond Policy

It has always been the position of our company to stay clear of diamonds or any other gemstones that are acquired through immoral or illegal means. We ask suppliers about the source of their diamonds and gemstones. If we are unhappy with the answer, we do not buy their merchandise. We keep all records of the system of warranties of all our diamonds as required by the Kimberly Process.

Kimberly Process

The Kimberly Process is a process to track and certify diamonds. In 2003, congress and President Bush passed a law adopting the Kimberly Process that requires all U.S. diamond retailers to buy diamonds from manufacturers who follow the system of warranties process. For more information on conflict diamonds please visit www.diamondfacts.org.