The diamond, with it's sparkle and brilliance, has become
an expression of the deepest emotions and has unique status as the ultimate
gift of love.
Buying a diamond for yourself or the one you love is easier when you have
confidence in your jeweler. Scott Heller, a Graduate Gemologist since 1981,
has the knowledge and expertise to help you choose the right diamond for
your personal taste and price range. Heller Jewelers carries all sizes and
shapes of GIA Certified and EGL Certified loose diamonds and we are happy
to take the time to educate our clients on how to purchase a high quality
diamond.
A diamond is always precious. But there are four factors that Gemologists
such as Scott Heller look for to judge the value of each stone.
These distinct factors are called The 4Cs.
CARAT
A diamond's size is measured in carat weight. One carat
is equal to 100 points. So a .75 carat diamond is the same as a 75-point
diamond or a 3/4 carat stone. A larger diamond will show off a stone's
fine color and cut to it's best advantage.
Virtually all diamonds contain minute traces of small non-diamond crystals or non-crystallized carbon. Called inclusions, they are nature's fingerprint and make every diamond unique. Major inclusions interfere with light and diminish a diamond's brilliance, therefore the fewer there are, the more flawless and rarer the stone will be. Clarity, then, is the term Gemologists use to indicate the extent to which the diamond is free of these natural phenomena.
Although most diamonds appear to be colorless, they may actually have subtle tinges of yellow or brown. A truly colorless stone has a higher value than those with a slight color. There are also diamonds in well defined and exceptional colors such as green, red, pink, blue, or amber known as Fancies, and they are very rare and highly prized.
CUT
Of the 4Cs, only cut is directly influenced by humans.
When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will be reflected from
one facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone which makes
the diamond sparkle with brilliance. If the diamond is cut too deep or
too shallow, some of the light can escape through the side or bottom of
the stone and this may lower the value of the diamond.
SHAPE
The shape you choose for your diamond is a matter of personal
taste.
Seven of the most popular cuts are shown here.
This is just a brief overview of how a diamond is judged in value and therefore priced. Scott Heller and his staff can explain the 4Cs to you, as well as show you a selection of diamonds in a range of prices.