Cut . Color . Clarity . And Carat . Let ’ s break them down one by one .
CUT
The cut of a diamond refers to the design and craftsmanship utilized to transform a “ raw ” diamond found in the earth into a precious gemstone . When designing a stone , our master artisans take great care to measure how light interacts with the stone , grading it by its brightness , fire , and sparkle .
• Brightness or brilliance refers to the level of light that radiates from within the diamond and reflects off its surface . Light can escape through the diamond ’ s sides and bottom , which can rob it of some of its brightness . To unlock its full potential , the master craftsperson can slice away as much of the diamond as needed to prevent the light from escaping and steer it in the right direction .
• Fire or dispersion refers to a diamond ’ s unique ability to bend light and produce brief inner flashes of reds , blues , and greens in a kaleidoscope fashion . But this dazzling display can only be appreciated at over three feet . So , take a few steps back and watch the beautiful dance of color when selecting your piece .
• Sparkle or scintillation describes the twinkling effect given off as the diamond is moved . Multiple miniflashes of light evenly spread out like a field of stars are considered more beautiful than a blotchy array .
Choosing which of these characteristics of brightness , fire , and sparkle is most pleasing to you is a matter of your taste and style . The best way to distinguish these characteristics of how light interacts with your diamond is to view them in person , side by side with another stone of high quality . Shoot for the stars and get a cut with a grade of Very Good or even Excellent . Good , Fair , and Poor grades are just that .
COLOR
Diamonds form in nature in different colors , but these differences are subtle . Some form crystal clear and icy white while others look like they ’ ve been dipped in lemonade . A more saturated diamond mutes the breathtaking inner blaze of light . However , just because white diamonds are brighter doesn ’ t mean they are better . Super-saturated diamonds known as fancy colored are much scarcer than white ones which makes them even more valuable . If you want a fancy-colored diamond , the intensity of the color is as important as its brightness . If your heart is set on a white one , look for one with a “ High color ” and a “ D ” color grade , which means a total absence of color .
CLARITY
Clarity describes the natural “ birthmarks ” that formed within the diamond as the carbon crystallized into a diamond . A diamond ’ s clarity is like its fingerprint . And with the help of a microscope , you can identify your diamond for its unique markings . These markings can appear as bubbles , cracks , specks , or clouds . But don ’ t worry , these so-called imperfections are usually invisible to the eye .
CARAT
The weight of a diamond is measured in carats . A diamond one-fifth of a gram in weight equals one carat .
Unleashing the true beauty from within a diamond requires cutting away weight from the bottom of the raw stone . If this extra weight isn ’ t trimmed off , you end up paying for added weight that detracts from the stone ’ s beauty — and it doesn ’ t make the stone look any larger .
Now that we ’ ve covered the 4 Cs , let ’ s look at some of the most popular diamond shapes .
DIAMOND SHAPES
Raw diamonds mined from the earth can be cut and polished into various shapes . Shape in this context refers to the view from the top of the diamond . Choosing the right shape for you is a matter of preference . Here are a few of our favorites that our artisans can shape for you :
• Round Brilliant
• Oval
• Marquise
• Pear
• Heart
• Emerald
• Princess
• Radiant
DIAMOND CARE
Now that you ’ ve found that perfect piece , you ’ re going to want to protect your investment . And that ’ s where our “ Best-in-the-Business ” Lifetime Guarantee comes in .
Our Extended Care Plan assures that your jewelry will stay in likenew condition with coverage that includes everything from loss of diamonds to accidental damage .
All our jewelry is designed , crafted , and refurbished in North America in our very own atelier . And when our artists and craftspeople put a piece out into the world , they want to keep their work shining bright just as much as you do .
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