How to Select a Diamond
The purchase of diamonds is an exciting and important decision! There are many factors to consider including size, shape, brilliance, and mounting style.

Diamond professionals use four factors to describe and classify diamonds, now commonly referred to as the 4 C’s - standing for cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

Cut —The cut refers to the shape and style of a polished diamond. Common cuts include Round Brilliant, Cabochon, Cushion, Emerald, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Princess, Square, and Trilliant.

Cut also refers to the precision of the angles, proportions of the workmanship, and finish of the diamond. A diamond with a “good make” is bright, fiery, symmetrical, and sparkles with light.

Color —Diamonds in the normal color range are graded by their relative lack of color. A diamond that is said to have “fine color” has little or no visible coloration. The less color present increases the value of the diamond.

Clarity—Clarity refers to a gemstone’s relative freedom from inclusions and blemishes, affecting its value. Flawless diamonds are exceptionally rare while stones in the middle range make up the bulk of the retail market.

Carat Weight—Carat is the standard unit of weight used for gemstones. One carat equals .200 grams (or 200 milligrams). Carat is usually abbreviated as “ct”. A one carat stone is equivalent to one hundred smaller units called points. A fifty point diamond equals ½ a carat.

Large diamonds are rarer than small diamonds. The scarcer a diamond is, the higher its worth. A larger stone doesn’t just cost more, it also costs more per carat.