School of Diamonds

Cut

Of the 4 C’s, Cut has the greatest effect on how well a diamond’s facets interact with light, affecting a diamond’s sparkle factor, and therefore its value.  If a diamond has a perfect clarity and color grade, it may still appear lifeless if it has a poor cut. When a diamond is cut with the proper proportions, by a skilled master diamond cutter, light is returned out of the table (the top of the diamond), maximizing the brilliance and sparkle.  If the diamond is cut too shallow light seeps out of the bottom, and if too deep it escapes out of the side. I always suggest purchasing a diamond with a cut grade of Very Good or better.

Color

Diamonds are graded on a color scale from D, being completely colorless (and the most valuable) to Z, where there is a presence of color, usually light yellow or brown.  Diamonds in the range of D-F range are considered “Colorless”, and therefor are the most expensive. Diamonds in the G-J range are considered “Near Colorless”, though most will appear to have no discernable color to the naked eye.  When buying a diamond in the I-J range, I always suggest setting the stone in white gold or platinum to mitigate the appearance of yellow gold showing through, enhancing the appearance of a yellow tinge. White metal will always make the stone appear whiter.  

Clarity

Diamonds are graded based on the absence of inclusions which occur internally, and blemishes which appear externally.  This evaluation involves determining the number, size, severity, and position of these characteristics, and how they affect the appearance of the stone.  The clarity grade is is determined on a scale of decreasing clarity from highest clarity (flawless or FL) to the lowest clarity (included 3 or I3). The majority of diamonds I sell are on a scale of VS1-SI2.  Though it is important to know what you are buying, and what is under a microscope, I always suggest making a purchase based on the overall beauty and what you see with the naked eye.

Carat

Carat is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs.  As the carat weight increases so does the price, but not linearly.   The cost can go up exponentially because the value is determined based on all 4 C’s, not just carat weight.  To maximize your budget I sometimes recommend buying just below the whole carat mark. For instance if you buy a 1.9ct diamond instead of 2.0ct diamond, you can save a considerable amount of money without noticing the slight difference in size.

The experience in buying a diamond and creating the perfect mounting can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be.  When buying a ring from Milestones by Ashleigh Bergman, I will guide you step by step through the process. I will use these markers above to educate you and guide you in selecting the perfect stone that fits your budget and makes him/her sparkle as much as the stones we select!