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DIAMOND EDUCATION
DIAMONDS ARE BEAUTIFUL
The reasons for buying diamonds are as different as the people who desire them. Through the years, diamonds have provided fulfillment for emotional and practical needs. They are sought after gifts, status symbols, tokens of romance, and even long-term investments. Most of all, the physical character of a diamond is unparalleled in the natural world and more unique than any other gemstone.
Diamonds are beautiful. Their exquisite beauty and mystic provides us with an outward expression of love. They create an aura of success and inspire feelings of distinction. Diamonds interact with white light better than any other gemstone, giving it fire and brilliance that dazzles the eye and provokes the heart.
DIAMONDS ARE DURABLE
Diamonds are durable. The word diamond is derived from the Greek "adamas," which means "unconquerable". This is fitting because diamonds are the hardest substance known to man. In fact, because of the hardness of this gem, the vast majority diamonds mined today are not sold to be manufactured into jewelry, but are utilized in industrial tool parts.
DIAMONDS ARE RARE
Although there have been new discoveries of diamond resources, the supply is still limited. It is a fact, that larger diamonds are increasingly harder to find. When 250 tons of ore (mineral bearing rock) are blasted, crushed and processed, chances are there will only be one carat of rough diamonds recovered. Less than 20 percent of all rough diamonds are suitable for cutting into gem quality diamonds for jewelry.
Diamonds retain value. While diamond prices may fluctuate with economic conditions, even after years of being worn and enjoyed, a diamond retains value and can be passed from generation to generation.
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THE C's
CARAT, CLARITY, COLOR & CUT
The Four Cs are the key characteristics of diamonds: Carat, Clarity, Color and Cut. Taking a few minutes now to learn about them will make your purchasing experience smarter, easier and more enjoyable. At Noah's Diamonds, we have introduced two additional Cs: Certificate and Cost. With our expert advice, you will have the education and confidence you need to make this important decision.
More than 50 years ago, GIA created a universal standard for determining and describing diamond quality: the 4 Cs (Carat, Clarity, Color & Cut) and the GIA International Diamond Grading System™, which today includes the D-Z color scale, the Flawless-I3 clarity scale, and the Excellent-Poor cut grading scale. This standard is accepted by virtually every professional jeweler and used by every knowledgeable diamond buyer in the world.
CARAT
Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed in metric carats: one carat is equal to 0.2 grams, about the same weight as a paperclip. Don't confuse carat with karat, as in "18K gold," which refers to gold purity.
Just as a dollar is divided into 100 pennies, a carat is divided into 100 points. For example, a 50-point diamond weighs 0.50 carats.
CLARITY
Because diamonds are formed deep within the earth under extreme heat and pressure, they often contain unique birthmarks, either internal (inclusions) or external (blemishes). Diamond clarity refers to the absence of these inclusions. Diamonds without these birthmarks are rare, and effect a diamond's value.
Flawless (FL) - No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification. Exceptionally rare.
Internally Flawless (IF) - No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
Very Very Slightly Included(VVSI and VVS2) - Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.
Very Slightly Included(VSI and VS2) - Inclusions are clearly visible under 10x magnification but can be characterized as minor.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) - Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
Included (I1, I2, and I3) - Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance and visible with the naked eye (this clarity grade is not sold by Noah's Diamonds).
COLOR
The most widely used color grading system is the one developed by GIA, which identifies colors with alphabetical letters ranging from D (colorless) to Z+ (a diamond with a light yellow or brownish shade). Stones with a grade from D to J are sometimes referred to as white diamonds.
Many of these color distinctions are subtle and are nearly invisible to the untrained eye. These slight differences make a difference in diamond quality and price. For example, the nuances of color are so fine between the grades that the average consumer cannot tell the difference between a D and F color. However, the price difference between D and F color diamonds many be as much as a 10% to 20%, depending on their size and clarity. The GIA color grading scale above applies only to white diamonds and not to fancy color diamonds.
CUT
Relative to its long history, only in modern times have cutters been able to successfully harness a diamond's potential beauty. Today, cut is an essential factor in determining a diamond's value. Cut is the factor that fuels a diamond's fire, sparkle and brilliance. If the diamond cut too deep or too shallow, it will not reflect light nor fiery brilliance in the most optimal fashion.
In 2004, GIA unveiled a diamond cut grading system for standard round brilliants in the D-to-Z color range. This system, the product of intensive research and testing, assigns an overall diamond cut grade as one of the following: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.
Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. The diamond shape you choose is a matter of personal preference. Noah's Diamonds carries many different shapes and sizes of stones. During your consultation, your diamond advisor will provide you with additional information to help you better decide which shape is best for you.
CERTIFICATE
A certificate thoroughly describes the quality of a diamond, but it does not place a monetary value on the gem. You will receive a complimentary appraisal with your purchase.
Noah's Diamonds is staffed by expert diamond graders and gemologists and utilized the systems that are utilized by, GIA laboratories, which set the standard for grading practices used worldwide. Known for its strict impartially and benchmark grading services, GIA is entrusted with grading and identifying more gems than any other lab, including some of the world's most famous diamonds.
Not all certificates are created equally. Which is why we pride ourselves o having the strictest standards upheld by GIA when issuing our certificates to ensure your purchase is highly respected by your insurance company and solidifies your investment.