Diamond Education
What you should know about diamonds before you visit your custom jewelry store.
Rare and fascinating, mysterious and magical, the diamond has sparked passion throughout time. The word alone conjures up a images of rare, precious, sparkling orbs. This Diamond Education guide details what you should know when buying diamonds or diamond jewelry.
Guide to Diamond Alternatives
One of the most important aspects of buying quality diamond jewelry is where you shop. A trustworthy diamond dealer or custom jeweler, like Valeria Custom Jewelry, will walk you through the jewelry shopping experience and provide some Diamond Education during the process.
The information in this Diamond Education is intended to help you understand the basic diamond quality factors so you can feel comfortable starting a dialogue with any salesperson about a diamond.
A Diamond’s Unique Characteristics
Contrary to popular belief, Diamonds are not rare, but they have a set of unique characteristics that sets them apart from other gemstones that gives them value.
Unique Beauty
The beauty and rare fire of a diamond has made this precious gem prized for centuries. Each stone, like a snowflake, is endowed with a personality and character uniquely its own.
Durability
A diamond is one of the hardest substances known to man (ranking 10.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale) and is resistant to deterioration. When cared for properly, diamond jewelry can be worn every day and passed on as an heirloom to future generations.
Enduring Value
Gem-quality diamonds have consistently retained their value, and most often have increased in value, after years of being worn and enjoyed.
The Diamond 4Cs
There are four factors that determine the value of a diamond, collectively known as the Diamond 4Cs. The best way to shop for a diamond is to have a good understanding of the 4Cs and determine which factors are most important to you, as each of the “Cs” means something different for each individual. For example, some women care most about the carat weight and diamond size, while others might consider the clarity and cut more important. A diamond jewelry purchase should never be based on the specifications alone.
Here are hand links from the experts at GIA explaining the 4 C’s
Diamond Carat Weight
Carat weight measures a diamond’s weight and size. Because large diamonds are rare, they generally have a greater value per carat.
LEARN ABOUT DIAMOND CARAT WEIGHT>
Diamond Clarity
A diamond’s clarity is affected by any external and internal characteristics created by nature when the diamond was formed or as a result of the cutting process. Learn more about diamond clarity and see diamond clarity charts in this link.
LEARN ABOUT DIAMOND CLARITY >
Diamond Color
While the most popular diamonds are colorless, diamonds come in every color of the spectrum. Diamond color grades are determined by professionals under ideal circumstances, a situation seldom duplicated outside of a laboratory. Choose a diamond based on its appeal to you, rather than on a technical color scale.
LEARN ABOUT DIAMOND COLOR >
Diamond Cut
Each diamond is cut to very exacting standards. The cut is one of the most important quality factors of a diamond, as it affects the diamond’s optical and physical properties, like brilliance – how a diamond reflects light.
LEARN ABOUT DIAMOND CUT>
See our Gemstone Care post for helpful tips. Learn more about custom jewelry, explore the rest of our custom pendant creations, or contact us to create a unique piece of custom jewelry. It can cost less than you think to have your very own custom creation made. Why settle for boring, uninspiring, mass-produced jewelry from the mall? We can make exactly what you want. Don’t see what you envision in our portfolio? Send us the design you want and we will bring it to life.
