We use cookies on this website to improve your shopping experience. We use cookies to remember log-in details and provide secure log-in, collect statistics to optimize site functionality, and deliver content tailored to your interests. Click accept to give your consent to accept cookies and go directly to the site or click on more information to see detailed descriptions of the types of cookies we store.
Click here to learn about cookie settings.
A color diamond's beauty and rarity comes from its color, so most are cut to the shape that
best shows that color off. Anything other than a round brilliant cut is referred to as a
fancy cut. This includes pears, hearts, ovals, marquises, radiants, cushions, asschers,
emeralds, and princesses. Brilliant cuts have facets shaped like kites and triangles that
sparkle with color when rocked. Step cuts have straight facets making them an excellent
choice for showing off the clarity of a stone.
Minimum Carat Weight
In a piece of jewelry with more than one diamond, the combined carat weight for all the
diamonds listed is referred to as minimum carat weight or total carat weight.
Color
The color grade for a fancy color diamond is the most important factor in determining the
diamond's value and price. First a dominant hue is determined. If there are any other colors
in the diamond, a modifier is added to the color. For example, a diamond's color may be
graded as "Pink" or "Purplish Pink." In some cases there is an equal amount of more than one
color so the colors are hyphenated—for example, a Purple-Pink diamond.
Clarity
The clarity of a diamond is determined by how many inclusions or blemishes it may have and
how noticeable they are. The GIA clarity grades are flawless (FL), internally flawless (IF),
very very slightly included (VVS1, VVS2), very slightly included (VS1, VS2), slightly
included (SI1, SI2), and included (I1, I2, I3). In general, any diamond graded SI1 or higher
will be eye-clean. The distinction between the higher grades is in how difficult it is to
find an inclusion using a loupe with 10x magnification.
Minimum Carat Weight
In a piece of jewelry with more than one diamond, the combined carat weight for all the
diamonds listed is referred to as minimum carat weight or total carat weight.
Color
The color grade for a fancy color diamond is the most important factor in determining the diamond's value and price.
First a dominant hue is determined. If there are any other colors in the diamond, a modifier is added to the color.
For example, a diamond's color may be graded as "Pink" or "Purplish Pink." In some cases there is an equal amount of
more than one color so the colors are hyphenated—for example, a Purple-Pink diamond.
Intensity
The intensity of a diamond's color is based on two things—tone and saturation of the diamond's hue. The
intensities the GIA uses to modify each color grade are Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark,
Fancy Deep, Fancy Intense, and the most coveted Fancy Vivid. A diamond's value is directly related to its saturation
and tone. The stronger a diamond's saturation (Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid), the more valuable the diamond is. The
deeper the tone of the color (Fancy Dark and Fancy Deep), the richer the color appears.
Weight
Diamonds are measured by carat weight (not to be confused with gold karats). The more a diamond weighs the rarer and
more valuable it is. Therefore, a 3.00 carat diamond will cost more per carat than three 1.00 carat diamonds.
Shape
A color diamond's beauty and rarity comes from its color, so most are cut to the shape that best shows that color
off. Anything other than a round brilliant cut is referred to as a fancy cut. This includes pears, hearts, ovals,
marquises, radiants, cushions, asschers, emeralds, and princesses. Brilliant cuts have facets shaped like kites and
triangles that sparkle with color when rocked. Step cuts have straight facets making them an excellent choice for
showing off the clarity of a stone.
Certificate
A certificate from an independent gemological lab provides you with a comprehensive list of the diamond's grades. It
also includes a map of all the inclusions or blemishes a diamond may have. Since no two diamonds are alike, this map
is often referred to as the diamond's fingerprint. All our loose diamonds are certified by the GIA. All our jewelry
is certified by either the GIA or EGL.
Minimum Carat Weight
In a piece of jewelry with more than one diamond, the combined carat weight for all the diamonds listed is referred
to as minimum carat weight or total carat weight.