Shape
The shape refers to the outline of the diamond! This will be the first steps in designing a ring, deciding on which shape she might like. If you are uncertain, give Lindsey Leigh Jewelry a call and we can work out a design together.
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Cut
The “cut” is one of the most important (if not the most important) components to a particular stone’s overall beauty and value. In an ideally cut stone, the light enters the stone, hits the critical angles from facet to facet and is reflected back out only through the crown (top of the stone), to your eye. Creating brilliance and sparkle! The cut measures the diamonds light return and sparkle. If a diamond is cut too shallow or too deep, light leaks out the bottom or the sides of the stone, causing the stone to appear dark or dead.
Clarity
A diamond’s Clarity grade is determined by the number, size, and location of the imperfections that are located with in a diamond. Inclusions are internal flaws with in the stone and blemishes are external flaws on the stone. Since all diamond and their imperfections are different, it is up to the purchaser to determine which imperfection they feel comfortable with. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder! It is most important to purchase an “eye clean” stone, which means that to the naked eye you cannot see any imperfections, meaning the light passing through is not effected. These stones are usually VS1, VS2, SI1 and sometimes a good SI2. Often times an inclusion can be hidden once mounted by a prong.
Color
A diamond color grade refers to the “lack of color” there is in the stone. Closely behind Cut, Color is next in line of importance. The GIA grades a diamonds color on a scale beginning with D (colorless) to Z (Light Yellow). The further you move down the alphabet, the more hint of color you will see in a stone. Majority of stones have a tint of color though it may be difficult to recognized to the untrained eye. The more colorless the stone is, the more rare and expensive it is. Diamonds in the D-to-F range are considered “Colorless”, and therefore are the most expensive. Diamonds in the G-to-I range are considered “Near Colorless” and are often less expensive. Diamonds with J color and beyond are considered to have “Noticeable color”.
