Diamonds
When making the decision to purchase loose diamonds, exquisite diamond jewelry,
or diamond engagement rings, it is very important to understand some of the science
behind these beautiful gems. Before
selecting a particular stone, the primary considerations should be the desired cut
and the stone’s quality. Having this
information beforehand simplifies the process of selecting a stone of the desired
grade, and can make your purchase a more pleasurable experience.
Diamond cuts
Diamond jewelry can feature any number of cuts.
Selecting the best cut is a matter of personal preference, the intended setting
and diamond quality. Not all cuts are
suitable for every use, every setting or every stone.
Some cuts are best for showcasing specific grades of diamonds or hiding tiny
imperfections in the stone itself.
Further, when considering diamonds for use in a ring, some cuts are more flattering for specific hand shapes.
The more popular cuts include princess cut diamonds ( a brilliant square cut that
flatters long-fingered hands and is very much in demand for diamond engagement rings
) , oval diamonds (an even, symmetrical oval cut that flatters small hands and short
fingers) and emerald cut diamonds ( a stepped, rectangular cut that works best on
higher quality stones).
There is also the round, marquise (an elongated oval with pointed ends), pear-shaped
(very flattering to hands with small to average-length fingers), heart and radiant
(a facted square or rectangle) cuts available.
Certified diamonds
When buying diamonds, certified diamonds are always preferable to appraised diamonds.
The certification process is more accurate as it is performed by
an independent gemological laboratory staffed with trained gemologists.
The accuracy of diamond appraisal, on the other hand, varies based upon the
training and skill of the individual appraiser.
Several independent laboratories perform certification. It is always a good idea to review a stone’s
certificate before making a purchase.
When buying diamonds, it is important to know that a reputable lab reviewed your
potential purchase of certified diamonds and can attest to their quality. The more well-known US-based laboratories include the Gemological
Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS). Internationally, the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) and the International
Gemological Institute (IGI) are most prominent.
Expertise of the GIA is perhaps the most respected
of all for certified diamonds. While
there may be slight variation of opinion between laboratories for gems are not clearly
one grade or another, the certification process is the buyer’s best assurance of
quality.