Basically, the price you paid for a diamond depends greatly on the grading printed on its certificate. We all know that GIA and AGS are two of the most recognized diamond grading associations and because of this, diamonds with their certificates are able to fetch a higher price compared to a similar grade diamond with certificates from other associations. Frankly speaking, the premium doesn’t really come only from its branding but rather the consistency and strict standards that GIA and AGS deliver and maintain. Let’s discuss about this in a little bit more detail.

Consistency of result

The act of grading a diamond is always subjective as there is no universal definition of the grades given for the 4Cs. In many cases, if you were to send a diamond to both GIA and EGL (not that you would), you will probably receive different evaluations as a result. For example, a diamond with Color G to EGL may seem like color I to GIA. This variation of grading outcome is acceptable; after all, you are talking about two different grading bodies looking at the same diamond! However, if there is varying grades within the same association itself for similar diamonds, it is something undesirable and annoying. Such organizations have the tendency to change their grading standards periodically and even make grading mistakes within their labs. Consistent quality is what made both GIA and AGS so widely accepted.

Strict Standards of Certificate

The main difference between GIA and EGL is that the former is a non-profit organization while EGL is a commercial institution. Therefore, understandingly, GIA tends to be more objective than EGL when grading diamonds as the latter is more customer-focused (in this situation, their customers are the diamond merchants). This results in a disparity so well-known in the industry that it is no longer secret. If that is the case, why would EGL gain so much popularity and edge in the market? This is partly due to the poor service, high cost of service, the long time taken to grade a diamond and the unavailability of the pre-cert option which both GIA and AGS deliver. EGL came in a fill in the gaps and provided pre-cert options that allow diamond merchants to look at the determined grading before deciding whether to get the actual certificate printed out.

Again, due to the difference in their organization focus, EGL tends to give higher grades than GIA and AGS when similar diamonds are inspected. It is also an open secret that EGL gives an average of 2-3 higher grades than AGS and GIA. What does this mean for the consumer like you and me? In reality, for example, looking at diamond A which is graded by EGL with a certain rating and diamond B with a similar rating by GIA, the diamond A which is certified by EGL might seem to sell at a significant discount. However, in actual case, diamond A would probably be graded by GIA with a lower grading and hence be of lower price.

Therefore, our advice to you guys out there is to avoild buying any diamonds being graded by EGL! Let’s switch to other view, would you prefer to buy the diamond being graded by EGL with an “excellent” cut or graded “very good” cut by GIA? Of course you would buy the diamond graded by GIA because most of the case, GIA diamond with 2 – 3 grades lower is cheaper! Afterall, it is the same stone. For diamond wholesaler’s point of view, EGL and random certificate is in favor to them, as they are much faster and efficient, more loose in grading so can get better grading results and earn higher, cheaper (lower overall cost). Diamond wholesaler may choose to display EGL and discard GIA.

From consumer’s view, let’s say, for color G and clarity SI1 for EGL and GIA, which one will you choose? If you choose GIA/ AGS, in return you get a consistent and higher standard of grading with higher price. While if you choose EGL, you will get a lower quality diamond with lower price. In nutshell, GIA and AGS gives higher standand and consistency grading than other certificates. It is reasonable to buy GIA too if you find a GIA grading diamond lower or similar price compared to a EGL grading diamond which is 2 -3 grades lower.

The author finds the best value diamonds at cheap price, diamonds online store review, diamond price comparisons, diamond buying tips and 4Cs education.

http://www.diamond-o.com

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In the past, it might seem almost impossible to buy a diamond online, but surprisingly, today the influence of internet and online trading is significantly visible even on the diamond trading industry. Today almost all forms of diamond including loose diamonds, wholesale diamonds and finished diamond jewelry are being sold and bought online.

Online wholesale trading

Online trading will open a large unknown market right in front of you. You don’t need to choose from a small range of items available in the close-by showrooms. All the more, jewelry shopping is all about the available choice as there can be no limit to types of diamonds available.

Online wholesale diamond trading is very profitable for both dealers and retail customers. The prices at which you receive the diamond jewelry are wholesale-rate, and hence you will obviously save money.

While trading a diamond online, there are few important things one must try to keep in mind.

Try not to be in too much of a hurry try to make good comparisons between various products. This will allow you to buy a better product at a lower price.

Also take a close look at the authenticity of the organization from which you are buying the product. Try to find his credentials, warranty terms and overall public reviews.

Diamond appraisal

All types of diamonds including wholesale diamonds even if they are loose diamonds need proper appraisal. Appraisal refers to test of the diamonds quality. Appraisal is done keeping in mind 4 very important factors sometimes referred to as the four C’s.

They are:

Carat: It is the test of the diamond’s size. The weight of the diamond is checked to determine its price. If a diamond weighs 1 ounce its carat value would about 142. The more the carat value the more is the price of the diamond.

Clarity: It is the measure of the perfection of the diamond. Diamonds are generally rated with letter like “I” and “s” for different levels of clarity.

Color: Diamonds are generally not colored though colored diamonds are extremely precious due to their rare presence. Numbers between one and seven are used to describe the vividness of a diamonds color.

Cut: a perfect diamond has 57 facets. The more the number of facets more prominent is the phenomenon of total internal reflection and consequently more is the shine of the diamond. This is one of the most difficult tasks of diamond appraisal but latest developments in technology have made it easier.

How can you start doing gem appraisal?

The motive behind mentioning some of the details about appraisal was to make you aware that it is not a very easy task. It is an art in which you can get perfection only through practice. It is not just an art but also a science and hence complete knowledge is also very important.

To become a professional appraiser of gems it is imperative to be either certified by a diamond exchange or a diamond appraisal agency like the GIA or AGS. A professional gem appraiser is known as a gemologist.

About The Author

Premier affiliate network uniting diamond wholesalers and diamond dealers across the globe to buy and sell wholesale loose diamonds with ease.

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Choosing best value diamonds is very subjective because what would represent best value to one customer would be way out of the reach of another. By taking a look at the way in which diamonds are appraised it is possible to see which diamonds would be the best value for you.

Not all diamonds are colorless, which is something that factors into the cost of a diamond. According to gemologists, such as those that carry out appraisals of EGL loose diamonds, the most expensive diamonds are those that have some color.

For GIA diamond rings, the diamond that is being appraised is placed next to a master stone that has been previously graded by this institute. Then it is compared to the master stone in terms of color quality under an ultra violet light. It may take the use of several of these master stones before a match or a close match is found.

Of course the best color for a diamond is none at all, showing that the diamond is pure. There is also a color grading scale to categorize the diamonds. The AGS (American Gem Society) used numbers to grade the color of a diamond, but the other appraisal societies use letter grades. Colorless diamonds have a grade of D, E or F, which is the highest.

Those that are almost colorless have a grade of G to J. Faint yellow diamonds are graded between K and M. The list proceeds to very light yellow with grades between N and R, and light yellow has grades from S to W. Fancy, yellow best value diamonds are graded X, Y, or Z.

The above examples are for grading yellow diamonds. There is a grading chart for other colors of diamonds that work in the same way. The most expensive diamond you can buy is a red diamond, which has a value of about $1 million per carat.

The number of carats in the diamond is another factor in considering whether you have best value diamonds. Carat is the easiest of the four C’s of diamond appraisal to understand. It refers to the weight and measurement of the stone. It is only natural that the larger the diamond the greater the carat and therefore the more expensive it is.

What many people do not realize is that the cut of the diamond plays a part in determining the carat weight. This is why the cut of the diamond plays an important role in the price and in determining whether or not you have best value diamonds. The main diamond cuts for rings and pieces of jewelry are:

• Emerald

• Princess

• Marquise

• Oval

• Round

• Pear

• Trillion

When appraising the cut of EGL loose diamonds or GIA diamond rings, gemologists also look at the precision of the cut because this can cause imperfections in the diamond and the way in which it catches the light. One of the main aspects is the symmetry of all the facets or points of the diamonds. The way in which the diamond is finished and polished also comes into play in determining the overall value.

Experts recommend that when you are buying a diamond for an engagement ring, you should be prepared to spend at least two month’s salary. For most people, the only diamond ring they ever buy or receive is a diamond engagement ring, while for others buying diamonds and diamond jewelry is an everyday occurrence that doesn’t affect their bank account in any major way. You may look at a diamond and think it is a wonderful choice because of your budget and another customer would pass it by moving immediately to a more expensive diamond.

About The Author

Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from San Diego, CA. She specializes in best value diamonds, EGL loose diamonds, and IGI appraisals. For design your own diamond jewelry, check out http://www.diamondwave.com/.

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Diamond information for couples interested in buying a diamond engagement ring. At a point in nearly every man’s life, there comes a time when his heart knows it’s time to buy a diamond engagement ring for the woman he loves. Only then will you feel comfortable buying a diamond engagement ring. There are many things to consider when learning how to buy a diamond, you should never rush into buying a diamond without first doing a little research as to how the diamonds are priced. Buying a diamond is no different, except most of know us very little about diamonds. Buying a diamond ring is often an emotional – not to mention expensive – experience.

Diamond Ring: 

Buying a diamond ring can be a huge investment and you want to get one with the perfect diamond in it, so you may be intimidated if you are a first time buyer. Buying a diamond means investing in a piece for forever. Every individual buying a diamond seeks out the best they can afford. When buying a diamond, consider your budget and where the stone will be worn to help determine the ideal carat size. The Four C’s of Buying a Diamond, to determine the best price for your ring, you need to be familiar with the four C’s. The four C’s of cut, color, clarity, and carat are explained.

Diamond Color

Most diamonds have a slight hint of yellow and the diamond color scale is based on the amount of yellow present in a diamond. It’s the absence of color that adds value to the diamond. Diamond color is graded according to the GIA Grading Scale. Grades are based on the amount of yellow that is visible when viewed face down through the pavilion using the GIA Diamond Lite. The color scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (yellow tinge).

Diamond Cut

To achieve the maximum reflection of light that causes a diamond to sparkle requires a diamond to have an Ideal/Excellent cut grade. Ideal cut diamonds are graded as such because they fall within the ideal cut grade parameters specified by the diamond grading labs. The better cut grades are likely to display more fire and brilliance and since their appearance is more desirable, they are priced accordingly. The GIA and EGL have only extended ideal/excellent cut grade parameters to round brilliant stones at this time. Determining a diamond’s cut grade, however, goes beyond simple measurements of width and depth. Diamond Cut is perhaps the most important of the four C’s.

Diamond Clarity

A diamond’s clarity is determined by the number, nature, position, size and color of internal characteristics called “inclusions” and surface features called “blemishes”. These show themselves as the various characteristics which make up the clarity of a diamond, included crystals, feathers, clouds etc. These characteristics are sometimes not visible to the naked eye and they are what make each diamond unique. This clarity grade becomes more important as the diamond size increases. The clarity scale was developed by the Gemological Institute of America GIA to quantify these imperfections.

Diamond Carat

It is a common misconception that carats refer to the size of a diamond. In reality, a carat is the standard unit of weight by which diamonds are measured.  Since a carat is a measure of weight, not size, one diamond of the same carat weight may look bigger than another depending on the cut. A premium cut diamond may actually appear bigger than many diamonds of a higher carat weight.

Diamond Shape

Stones come in different shapes – round, oval, marquise, pear, emerald, heart, princess, and radiant.

Round

A round brilliant is a great choice if you want the most sparkle and the most enduring classic shape round-brilliant diamonds are the only shape to have this ideal proportion defined. Brilliant cut diamonds have facets that are shaped like triangles and kites. Today’s round brilliant diamond has a total of fifty-eight facets, but you’ll see varying facet numbers in vintage brilliant cut diamonds. Even though Round Brilliant cut diamonds are the most expensive in the market, they make up the overwhelming majority of diamonds found in engagement rings, and are popular as stud earrings and pendants.

Oval

The elongated shape of Oval diamonds gives a very flattering effect to your finger when worn in a ring, and is found in some of the most beautiful diamond engagement rings. Unlike round cut diamonds, oval cut diamonds have an elongated shape, which makes the diamond appear larger in carat weight. Oval cut diamonds are essentially elongated round cut diamonds. Many women with smaller hands or shorter fingers prefer the look of oval cut diamonds and pear shaped diamonds because they truly slenderize and elongate the fingers on the hand.

Marquise

While marquise diamonds are not as popular as round cut diamonds or princess cut diamonds, they are still quite sophisticated and elegant. A marquise cut diamond has a uniquely beautiful shape that is favoured by many women, but a small percentage of brilliance will be sacrificed for the beauty of this uniquely diamond shape. Compared to the round cuts, the marquise diamonds are not as popular these days. In addition, the shape of the marquise diamond almost makes the stone appear larger than it is. The Marquise shape was created for Louis the XIV and is has become a timeless classic.

Pear

The pear shape is a stunningly feminine diamond shape with a rounded end on one side and a tapering point at the other.  Due to their elongated shape, pear cut diamonds are known for their slenderizing effect. .The Pear cut allows a range of cutting styles, so that the teardrop shape can be wider, slimmer, or cut to Ideal proportions, based on your choice and preferences. Pear shaped diamonds have a rounded end and a single point. While pear shaped diamonds are not as traditional as round cut diamonds, or as trendy as princess cut diamonds, they are still coveted by many people.

Emerald

The emerald-cut diamond is among the most classic of diamond shapes that is distinguished by beveled corners and step facets, emerald cut diamonds are more transparent than other shapes, resulting in the need for higher standards of clarity. The emerald cut can be one of the least expensive to cut because its shape is most like the natural shape of the rough diamond crystal. Because of the angle, size and shape of the facets, the emerald cut shows less brilliance and fire dispersion than the other brilliant cut diamonds. However, the emerald cut stone reveals a classic beauty and elegance not seen in other cuts. The trim lines of Emerald cut diamonds lend an elegant, sophisticated air to both the simplest of ring designs.

Heart

The heart-shaped diamond is the most romantic of diamond shapes and a symbol of love and affection, the heart cut diamond is an excellent choice for an anniversary or engagement ring. It is a tender gesture to make to someone special. A quality heart-shaped diamond is lovely and distinctive, with an even shape and well-defined outline. They are the ultimate symbol of romance, and more and more people are choosing heart cut diamonds for engagement and anniversary rings. Heart Shaped Diamonds are rarer and more expensive as it takes a large piece of diamond rough to shape cut and polish to something that is the ultimate symbol of love “the heart”

Princess 

A modern innovation, the princess shape dazzles and sparkles with its star burst facet pattern, while still leaving the crown of the diamond flat and open. The princess cut is stunning set as a solitaire it is a modern classic of clean, square lines and beautiful sparkle. Its sharp corners are usually contained in a four-pronged or bezel set in wedding rings. You will also find Princess cut diamonds are often channeled into the wedding band itself. Princess Cut Diamonds are for those people who love the sparkle and brilliance associated with round cut diamonds, but prefer  the shape of a square. While the round brilliant solitaire seems to be the most popular shape right now for engagement rings, many people are deviating from this trend and going with princess cut diamonds.

Radiant

The radiant cut was first patented in the late 1970’s by Henry Grossbard, with its angular shape and brilliant cut facets it makes a scintillating alternative to other cuts such as the Emerald cut. The radiant shaped diamond can be considered a modified brilliant diamond that is closely related to the princess cut diamond because of its square shape. High quality Radiant cut diamonds combine the fire and sparkle of Emerald and Round cuts.

Now you know the different shapes of diamonds that you can purchase and which shape will accentuate individual fingers or provide brilliant sparkle we can now move on to the ring.

There are many different metals used for rings today which can be grouped into two, precious and non -precious, those in the precious group including silver, gold, and platinum, while those in the non-precious group can include brass, copper ad nickel. Most rings today are made of gold or platinum so we will focus our discussion on these two precious metals.

Gold  

Gold comes in various colors that can reflect the carat value of the carat of yellow gold with 10k, 14k and 18k being the most popular. Did you know that you can get Rose Gold, white gold and yellow gold and that white gold is more a silver color than white? Until recently white gold was yellow gold with as much of the yellow gold removed as possible, however it was still not a true white color. To give you that white (silver) brilliance the rings are plated with Rhodium or palladium.

Platinum

Platinum became very popular for its natural white (silver) color and durability. Customers that buy white gold rings that have rhodium plating will have to have the ring re-plated every few years if it’s worn regularly,  as the rhodium wears off. With platinum the color stays the same no mater how often you wear it. Platinum is about twice the price of 14K Gold and can push the price of the setting and diamond out of the range of some customers.

Ring Mounts

There are thousands of different settings available for you to choose from; they come in all shapes and sizes, from solitaires to multi stone rings. Your choice is a personal one; however you should consider when you are going to be wearing your ring. If you plan to wear it daily then pick something with a low profile that protects the diamond and setting from getting damaged if you accidentally catch it against something. This could lead to the diamond coming loose and having to be reset, to forcing the diamond out of the mounting and breaking it.

On the other hand,  if you are only going to wear the ring for special occasions then purchase a mount that holds the diamond high so that it’s well displayed and allow the light to enter unobstructed from the top and show the scintillating fire and brilliance.

Remember that if you are purchasing a high quality diamond for your ring that having other diamonds around it will detract from your central diamond. If on the other hand you are purchasing a smaller center diamond adding smaller ones around the outside will make the center one look larger.

Engagement sets are also very popular, with couples purchasing the engagement ring and then going back and purchasing the wedding band from the set, for that special day.

Charts for Clarity and Color can be found in the resource section of Jewels by Truros. Please see us at Jewels by Truros

Derek Parnell is a Graduate Gemologist (GIA) and can be contacted at Jewels by Truros a division of Truros Corporation.

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Diamonds are composed of carbon atoms that have been subject to extreme pressure and heat. If the diamond contains no impurities then the color will be crystal clear. Nature rarely creates anything that does not have any impurities in it. Most diamonds will contain some amounts of nitrogen atoms. If a few of the millions of carbon atoms have been replaced by nitrogen atoms, then structure of the diamond will not be significantly altered but the clarity will be changed.

When sunlight, which contains all colors, passes thought a diamond some of the light waves will be reflected by the nitrogen. The amount of color displayed is dependent on the amount of nitrogen involved. When we see color it is because the object we are looking at reflected a specific wavelength of the light spectrum. A good example of this is a pair of blue jeans. The jeans absorb all of the light except the blue light, which is reflected by the jeans.

In the case of a blue colored diamond some of the nitrogen has been replaced by Boron. Boron will reflect the blue wavelength of the light spectrum. The higher the concentration of boron the more color will be showed. At a level of one or a few boron atoms for every million-carbon atom, an attractive blue color results. Natural diamonds of this color are rare and highly priced, such as the Hope diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has developed a color chart for grading diamonds.

GIA Color Chart.

D, E, F = Colorless -

K, L, M = Faint Color -

N, O, P, Q, R = Very Faint Color -

S through Z = Light Color

Colored diamonds are very rare and very expensive. The Blue diamond is one of the rarest, and in my option the most desirable of the colored diamonds. The Hope diamond, which can be viewed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., is the most famous blue diamond in the world, and at 45.52 carats the largest.

The Hope Diamond is more than a billion years old and it is the worlds’ largest deep blue diamond. It was first found in Golconda, India in the early 1600s and has had a very checkered pasted ever since. It has crossed oceans and continents many times, has been owned by Kings and Commoners, has been stolen and recovered, sold and resold, cut and re-cut.

Famous Blue Diamonds are valuable investments and include such stones as The Queen of Holland, The Blue Empress, and The Regent Diamond. There are very few blue diamonds and the owners rarely sell these because of their value. The blue stones that are famous come in a wide range of hues. There are at least six different shades of blue in the diamonds that have become famous. The shade of the diamond is usually a matter of preference for those looking for special colors in the diamonds that they buy.

The famous blue diamonds come in different shapes including pear shaped and octagon shaped. The cut of these valuable gems is especially important for large, colored stones and the cut must enhance the natural beauty of these wonderful gems. Sometimes the largest stones that are found with a blue color are studied extensively before any cutting is begun.

David Cowley has created numerous articles on Diamonds. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to Diamonds. Visit Diamonds

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What is a diamond certificate (diamond appraisal)? And why should you look for it when you purchase valuable diamond jewelry.

Well folks when you are shopping around for precious diamond jewelry such as engagement ring, solitaire diamond pendant, or a diamond necklace which is high in value you want to get the assurance of the price that you are paying for is what it is.

This is where a jewelry certificate comes in the big picture. A jewelry certificate can be by any laboratory as long as the gemologist is a GIA graduate. GIA graduate gemologists have the skills to find out the diamond(s) color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Gemological diamond laboratory have these special equipments to check the authenticity of a diamond. They grade the diamonds color by checking it against master diamonds, determine the diamond clarity by looking inside the diamond using a microscope and inspecting for black knots, feathers, crystals, cracks, broken or chipped elements in the diamond.

Another reason the certification comes in big picture when you want to get insurance for the jewelry. When you want to get insurance for the jewelry insurance companies look for some kind of documentation for the jewelry and that’s where the appraisal comes in. They use the appraisal to insure the jewelry based on the color, clarity, carat, shape cut, and retail replacement value.

Another reason the certification comes in big picture when you want to get insurance for the jewelry. When you want to get insurance for the jewelry insurance companies look for some kind of documentation for the jewelry and that’s where the appraisal comes in. They use the appraisal to insure the jewelry based on the color, clarity, carat, shape cut, and retail replacement value.

So, when making your diamond engagement ring purchases look for certified diamonds.

Certified Diamond Jewelry by 4CsJewellery

[http://4csjewellery.com]

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The key to buying a diamond is a combination of having technical knowledge, being market savvy and most importantly, developing an “eye”. The most important rule to remember is that the right diamond should jump out at you from the moment you see it. In the diamond industry, all diamonds are graded according to the 4-Cs. Understanding the 4-Cs and the diamond industry will allow one to become a savvy diamond buyer.

Of the 4-Cs, clarity is the hardest to determine by the average consumer and one of the reasons to buy from a trusted jeweler. Grading starts at IF (internally flawless), followed by VVS1 and VVS2 (Very very slightly included). These two grades are very uncommon and for the money, is not a good value to buy a stone in. You can never differentiate a diamond between VVS1 and VS1 even under 100X magnification, yet the price difference could be thousands of dollars. People who want the best quality and value usually buy in the VS1 or VS2 level. SI-1 and SI-2 are the next level. SI stands for slightly included with SI-1 being clearer than an SI-2 stone. If you see a stone that has a lot of inclusions under a microscope but is not visible to a naked eye, this is an SI-2 stone. Any stone that has flaws visible to a naked eye will be an SI-3 or sometimes labeled as an I-1 stone. The rapport will grade these stones down to an I-3. These are usually the stones that are advertised for $399 a carat. For engagement ring quality diamonds, it is recommended not to go below an SI-2.

Of the 4cs, Color is the most visible to the buyer. The color chart starts at D, with D/E/F being the most pure and the most white of all the diamond colors. The second category is G/H/I, which is considered the near colorless category and will have a varying hint of color. When the majority of the diamonds were formed, gaseous elements such as nitrogen were trapped in the carbon lattice thus causing variation in the diamond colors. Within the J/K/L range, the buyer will be able to see varying degrees of yellow in the stones. Although color is graded down to Z, the rap sheet stops at M. For engagement ring quality, anything below the color “I” is not recommended. The lower color stones are usually made for other purposes.

Because the prices for color do vary greatly, it is imperative for the buyer to be able to differentiate between the colors. The only way to truly grade the color is to compare the stones upside down, against a white background and compare it to a master set of stones. For example, to see an E color stone, it must be compared against a D and an F stone. It is impossible to see color set in a mounting and empirically state the exact color. For people who want the best value and quality, buying a G color stone is ideal. A G color stone is noticeably whiter then the H, but it is priced in the near color-less category of stones, where the savings will be greater. To go with a high color and lower clarity combination, such as an E color but good SI-2 clarity will also yield a good value.

Carats or the weight of the diamond is the 3rd determinant of price. 100 points equal a carat, and is impossible for human eye to see. Though a diamond can be 1 carat in weight, it can look bigger or smaller than its carat weight states. So when buying a round diamond of 1 Carat size, look for stones that are at least 6.2mm in diameter. Also, because the jewelry industry has a tolerance level of 5% difference on stated carat weights on jewelry, this is why buying from a trusted jeweler is key. It is impossible for any one to eyeball carat size, you cannot tell the difference between a 1 CT tennis bracelet or a .90CT bracelet, yet there is a big price differential.

Cut is the most technical of the 4-C’s. The fact of the matter is that one can see a diamond that is cut well versus one that is cut poorly. The cut states that the crown (top of the diamond), pavilion (bottom of the diamond) and the girdle (thin middle ring that divides the crown and pavilion) should have ideal range that the diamond should be cut.

The last C is the certs that diamonds carry and is the final component that affects diamond pricing. Many stones that are above .75CT are certified by independent laboratories. The certificates will plot a mapping of the inclusions, give dimensions and measurements of the diamond, state the polish and symmetry, fluorescence, and state if a diamond has been enhanced. Although there are many labs that certify diamonds, the most popular on the market are certified by GIA or EGL. GIA (Gemological institute of America) has predominately been very strict or rather on the conservative side of their grading, so GIA diamonds tend to sell at a premium. EGL (European Gemological Laboratory) is also very popular but sometimes have struggled with their consistency. Thus their stones will usually sell 5 – 10% less then a stone with the same grade from GIA. GIA stones are not necessarily better stones then EGL certified stones. Plenty of beautiful stones get sent in to be processed by EGL as they do GIA.

The price difference for clarity and color affects the prices exponentially. Buying a high color is where the buyer’s dollar will be well spent. Clarity is impossible to see without a microscope but a diamond of high color can be seen from across the room. If there are two diamonds that have the same level of quality, acceptable price points and even the same grading from the laboratories, then let your eye be the final judge. After all, you are ultimately buying a diamond for its beauty and sentimentality. While only considering the technical jargon, let your heart be the final judge.

Check out Men’s Jewelry Store TreasuresInternational.com to see the entire collection of bracelets, rings, pendants, cufflinks, money clips and key rings in stainless, tungsten, titanium, cable, 18KT gold and diamond. This article was distributed by Objectware, Inc an Atlanta Search Engine Optimization and Web Development Company

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The purpose of the diamond certificate is to protect consumers from purchasing falsely-claimed diamonds perceived to be a certain value. In today’s diamond market, it’s easy for retailers to con individuals into buying good quality diamonds. The average person is not armed with the proper facts and skills to distinguish good diamonds from the rest.

An independent Gemological Laboratory issues the diamond certificate. During the evaluation, expert graders examine the jewel. They employ various geological instruments and determine the characteristics of the diamond in the certificate. The various characteristics in the certificate contain which gemological instruments were employed to observe the diamond properties. As such, the diamond evaluation is essential to the pricing because any slight flaw may affect the stone’s worth.

There are two organizations that are well known diamond certifiers: GIA and the IGI. Both of these organizations are independent laboratories more than qualified to evaluate and certify the diamond. The following is a partial list of the contents of the diamond certificate.

Certificate Number

Each laboratory provides a certificate number. This is the number that certifies the diamonds uniquely. The institution will archive a copy of the certificate so that they can reissue, if it’s lost.

Cut and Shape

There are various shapes such as Heart, Oval, Round and Pear. Additionally, shapes could be in the forms of Brilliant, Emerald, Princess and Marquise.

Proportions

Proportions of the diamond include depth and table. Depth represents the actual depth of the diamond. The table represents the largest facet of the diamond, sometimes the center piece or main facet. Each of these items is measured by percentages.

Measurements

The diamond is measured by the millimeter through a measuring instrument. The dimensions are commonly dubbed as “maximum-minimum x depth”.

Carat size

When diamonds are weighed, they are measured by the carat to the thousandth. One carat is roughly 1/142nd once. The word carat originates from a practice of measuring a carob seed in India.

Girdles Found at the Edge of the diamond

The girdle runs between the crown and the diamond’s bottom. The thickness of a girdle is usually described by a range, because it could vary in the thickness.

Clarity

Clarity is determined by the dimensions of the inclusions and/or irregularities of the item. With the help of an IGI microscope, the grader can examine the qualities of the diamond clarity. Grading of the clarity could have listings such as ‘VVS’, ‘SI’ and ‘I’.

Plot

The plot provides data about the uniqueness of the diamond. Like fingerprints, the plot has every characteristic of the diamonds imperfections and physical measurements. With this data, a buyer could verify through the grader (or lab) that the diamond is the right one. The plot is usually plotted in graph format.

Cutlet

The “pointy” facet of the lower of part of the diamond is called a Cutlet. The purpose of the cutlet is to prevent unwanted chipping. Note that some diamonds do not have cutlets.

Color

Under precise lighting, the colors of a diamond can fall under categories of D to Z, D being the highest grade. The colors are determined by comparing the subject diamond with excellent graded diamonds.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Diamonds [http://diamonds-guides.com]

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Its become a very competitive business with everyone trying to come up with their own “Branded” diamonds, and jewelry and design, the so called Calla Cut is nothing more than a modified round stone it appears, this is the first I have heard of it, similar to an Ascher Cut which came out a few years ago and then just died!!! No one is buying Aschers anymore and the same will happen to this Calla. A cutter can make much more money with a “new” designer cut diamond and promote it, hopefully someone will fall in love with it and pay 30-40 more money than it should be.

If you love the cut then I would say go for it but be aware that the actual value will never come back to you since it is not main stream. over time, the round diamond has proven itself the most popular. We have sold many princess cut diamonds the past 5 years but even those have slowed down. We almost never sell any marquise diamonds lately, all these cuts are cyclical, the round diamond has been most consistent.

The Jeweler who told you about certified cut may have meant that he cant distinguish the table

and the depth to determine if the diamond is a good cut or not. More than likely he is blowing smoke and trying to get you to “doubt” the Calla Cut. When a diamond is sent to the laboratory such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or European Gem Labs (EGL) they are evaluated for Color Cut Clarity Carat Wt. hence the “4 C’s” of the diamond. The cut or of the table and depth ratios are the reason the diamond has “fire” or lacks “fire”.

If a diamond is cut with a table of 60 and a depth of 60 without getting too technical, you will have a stone with fire. An “Ideal” cut which means maximizing the light back to your eye would be a 55 table and a 61 depth. This is also known as an American Ideal cut or a Tolkowsky Ideal cut (tolkowsky was a famous mathematician)

Certified cut and certified stones are one of the same, if you have a diamond that is “certified” or lab graded it will have the cut evaluation which wont mean much to you. Just look at the diamonds and see if they have “fire” if it does they are cut well, if it lacks brilliance something is not cut to full potential. You can mfg a ring which will look like the “calla” for less money with well cut marquise diamonds and a round stone in the center. The trick is to get high color (F-G) and very well cut diamonds all matched.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for http://www.DiamondGems.info. DiamondGems.info carries the best selection of loose diamonds, diamond rings, and diamond jewelry on the market. Browse through our selection of loose diamonds by size, cut, shape, type, and other features here: http://www.DiamondGems.info/subcategory/loose-diamond.html.

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Though Diamond bracelets are costly, it makes a great gift, especially for those dearly beloved ones. One of the most easiest way to express one’s love for a person without actually having to speak a single word is by giving that person a diamond jewelery.

One can buy a delicate and elegant piece of diamond bracelet to compliment one’s conservative outfit, or one can wear a diamond bracelet that is bold or almost brazen, which would elevate your presence in a crowd. The ladies are probably going to shine like the diamond which is hanging gracefully on her wrist, neck or ears. No other bracelet is more coveted than a diamond bracelet as it portrays the person wearing it as a person of class and grace.

As moments and occasions are intensely personal and have a deep meaning over the lives of people, so the joy, love, adoration and commitment should sparkle through this charismatic and authentic gemstone.

Though many people may think that buying accessories has taken a back seat in the case of saving every single penny possible, but that surely does not seem to be the case, nor does it have to be, as it is a common habit for one to flaunt the accessories that are matching his or her attire and personality.

This gemstone is a perfect accessory which everyone loves to own. Diamond bracelets look great on everyone and can be worn for those special nights with friends and colleagues or in family functions. So, irrespective of the occasion, whenever one has to buy a diamond bracelet, the mainstay of one’s approach should be to gift a special gift with a generous capability of thinking way past and out of the norm. The bracelets designed nowadays are designed in such a way that they suit every individual style, be it a diamond or a studded gemstone or even a pearl bracelet.

One has to be really careful before buying a diamond bracelet as it is going to be an expensive purchase. Diamond bracelets which are available in the market come in a variety of styles. From simple wristbands to intricate chain-link designs, we the people have an infinite range of selections. Some diamond bracelets also feature the dangling Italian charm styled diamond settings. These bracelets are sculpted in precious metals like yellow or white gold, platinum and silver and one can avail them to the needs and requirements of a particular person. White gold is a popular metal amongst the masses because it brings out the luster of diamonds. Bracelets made of platinum are more expensive than those made of yellow or white gold.

When in the process of choosing gold as the base material, one should be sure to ask for a certificate of authenticity on the content of carat. Though expensive, 24 carat gold is the purest form of gold. In general, the more detailed the design, the more expensive will the bracelet be.

When looking for that perfect gift, it is wise to look for the “GIA certified diamond” sign along with the item which is being considered to be bought. GIA stands for the ‘Gemological Institute of America’, a non-profit organization committed to the study and research of precious gemstones. By buying diamond bracelets that come certified, one can be assured that one is getting a genuine diamond bracelet for the money spent.

Shefali Roy is a webmaster of shopcorn in India and deals in online shopping. U can buy online diamond bracelets here. To read more information related to Diamond bracelets and many more visit shopcorn.in.

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