The Four Cs

 

Diamonds are graded and priced according to their Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. This is generally referred to as the “4Cs”.

When it comes to choosing a diamond it is necessary to consider all of the “4Cs”  factors and then decide which is the most important to you. This is solely a personal preference and there is no right or wrong answer. For example you may choose to select a diamond with a lower Carat weight in order to find a diamond with better Clarity that works within your allocated budget. Additionally you may decide to slightly favor a lower Color Grade in order to get a stone with a better Cut and so on. Aside from carat weight, the highest quality attainable in a diamond is a “D” color and an “IF” clarity, meaning internally flawless. The highest attainable cut is determined by the proportions, symmetry and polish of a stone and is referred to as an Excellent/Ideal Cut, meaning it gives off the maximum amount of fire and brilliance. 

Diamonds are valued on a per-carat basis, and the carat weight of a diamond is extremely important in determining its value. For example, a diamond of exceptionally high quality may sell for $20,000 per carat, while one of lesser quality may sell for $1,000 per carat. So, a three-carat stone could be $60,000 or $3,000, depending on its per-carat price. Diamond value also increases disproportionately as the size of the stone increases. For example, a two-carat stone will not necessarily cost twice per carat than a one-carat stone. The larger the diamond the more rare, so an increase in size can mean a disproportionate increase in value. As you take a stone of a particular cut, clarity and color and move its carat weight to the next price category, you may see quite a large increase in the price per carat.

 

  • A diamond’s cut is a complicated evaluation based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, depth and table percentages, girdle thickness, and crown angles. A diamond’s shape can also affect its value, although usually to a lesser degree than its cut does. The reason for price differences between stones of comparable quality and size is primarily due to their supply and demand at a particular time. Additionally, the cost of the specialized labor skills needed to cut more intricate shapes can affect the price. 

  • A diamond’s color also has a considerable impact on its cost. ‘‘Colorless’’ is the most sought-after trait in terms of diamond color. Therefore diamonds that are higher up on the color scale (e.g. D, E, F) will have a greater value. If a diamond with a specific cut, clarity and carat weight is moved to the next color grade, assuming all of the other factors are equal, it’s possible to see a significant increase in the per-carat price.

  • Clarity is the measurement of imperfections or blemishes in a diamond, which will also result in price differences. If a diamond of a particular cut, color and carat weight is moved to the next clarity grade, it’s possible to see a significant increase in the per-carat price, assuming all of the other factors are equal.

 

Gold

The most important thing to look for when buying gold jewelry is the purity of the gold. The gold content of a piece of jewelry is measured in karats which can range from 1 to 24. The greater the gold content, the higher the karat. The higher the karat, the more valuable it is. For example, 14 Karat (14k) gold is 14 parts of gold to 10 parts other metals. This term should not be confused with the term carat, which is the weight measurement of diamonds and other gemstones. The amount of gold in a piece is represented in the karat mark, usually inscribed on the back of the piece (e.g. 24K, 18K,14K, etc.). The European system uses numbers representing a fraction of 1000, so “750” would be 75% gold, or the equivalent of 18 Karat. In addition to the karat mark, every piece of gold jewelry should be stamped with a hallmark or trademark of its manufacturer. In the United States, 14-karat gold, or 585 parts pure gold, is the most common degree of fineness. Nothing less than 10K can legally be marked or sold as gold jewelry in the U.S.

Gold pricing is based on a number of factors which include the karat amount called karatage, gram weight, design and craftsmanship. The karat and gram weight designate how much gold is in a piece, but are not the only determining price factors. The craftsmanship and level of detail in a piece are also taken into account. Additionally, design and the piece's construction are other important factors that are taken into consideration. Pieces that are higher quality, and thus will last longer, are generally priced higher.

Gold is a chemical element that has amazing physical characteristics and is sought after for jewelry making. Although it is the most malleable of all metals, it is very durable and virtually indestructible. Gold leaf is made by hammering one ounce of gold into 187 square feet of extremely thin sheets. Gold also does not tarnish or corrode and can be re-melted and used again to create new designs.

 Pure gold is usually mixed with other metals to increase its use in jewelry. Most gold used in jewelry is alloyed with silver, copper and small amounts of zinc to produce various shades of yellow gold. Gold can also be alloyed with nickel, copper and zinc to produce white gold. The color of these gold alloys goes from yellow to white as the proportion of nickel increases. Rose gold is created by alloying gold with copper. Alloys with platinum or palladium are also used in jewelry. Is it important to note that nickel is the most popular alloy used in white gold, and some people may be allergic to nickel. However in 18K gold there is more pure gold and less alloy so those with a sensitivity towards nickel can avoid problems by choosing 18-Karat gold versus 14-Karat.

Gold filled jewelry is made by joining or bonding layers of a karat gold to a base metal. These layers are then rolled or drawn to the desired thickness. Gold-plated jewelry is made by bonding 10-karat or higher gold to a base metal. The karat gold content may be less than 1/20, but must be properly identified as a percentage of the total content.

 

Certifications (GIA & DIS)

 

  • GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the most prestigious lab and is considered the standard when it comes to Diamond grading. They grade the stone based on the Four C’s mentioned above and add all the information about the stone. On the report you will see dimensions, polish, symmetry, fluorescence, girdle, culet, and percentages of the depth and table. The carat weight is determined by its weight on a scale and presented by the nearest hundredth decimal. The cut is based on the proportions of the table, crown, girdle and the pavilion. The color is based on how much color a stone has, mentioned before, but to achieve consistent grading a GIA grader will compare it to a sample set of stones containing a range of color tones. Lastly the clarity is graded after a GIA grader plots every inclusion into the drawing sample of a diamond. Afterwards they come to a conclusion what grade it will receive after two graders review the inclusion of the plot based on size, how visible it is and how it affects the diamond overall.

  • DIS (Diamond International Services) is another prestigious lab that uses new technology to grade their diamonds. Similar to other labs they will report authenticity, shape, measurements, polish, symmetry, fluorescence, girdle thickness, culet, and percentages of the depth and table. The great addition DIS has that stands out from the rest is their use of a digital certificate. This addition makes it easier to carry around a copy of your original report by having its contents on any device and can be easily shared through a link or QR code. This digital copy includes a 3-D video of your diamond or jewelry and in doing so was awarded a JNA award for industry innovation twice. With that being said don’t be hesitant when shopping with us as we provide lab services from both GIA & DIS upon request.