Choosing the right diamond can be tricky for many people. It is our hope that the information below will provide you with a basic understanding so that you can confidently move through the process. At LLD diamonds, we strive to offer our clients the highest quality diamonds and carry the largest selection of loose diamonds. Our collection of diamond jewelry features many different options for the shape of the diamond, from traditional round brilliant cut or oval diamonds to fancy shaped diamonds like pear and heart shapes.
ROUND
CUSHION
ESMERALD
OVAL
RADIANT
PRINCESS
MARQUISE
PEAR
ASSCHER
HEART
The color, or in actuality the lack of color, is another factor to examine when selecting a diamond. While it is often difficult to make subtle distinctions in color with the naked eye, these different grades have a significant impact on value and quality. The less body color a diamond has the more desirable and rare it becomes.
The size of a diamond will have an impact on the perception of color in the diamond because it is more difficult to see color in diamonds that are less than a half-carat. The way that the diamond is mounted and the metal type will also have an impact on the perceived color. Colorless diamonds really come to life in white gold and platinum settings. Lower color grades are typically showcased best in a warm metal color such as yellow gold or rose gold.
The standard grading systems for color were developed by the GIA and the American Gem Society. The GIA grading system is based on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (light color) and the AGS uses scale from 0 (colorless) to 10 (light color).
Diamonds are formed deep within the earth as a result of intense heat and pressure. As a result of this natural process, most diamonds possess slight imperfections on their surface (blemishes) or inside the diamond (inclusions). These characteristics can be seen as the diamond’s fingerprint or birthmark because they make each diamond unique from the next. Diamonds without inclusions or blemishes are rare, and most characteristics can only be viewed under magnification.
The clarity of a diamond refers to the extent that the inclusions and blemishes affect the appearance of a diamond. These flaws can impact the path of light that is reflected through the diamond and hinder its beauty. The GIA and AGS created grading scales to grade diamond clarity whereby the inclusions and blemishes are evaluated under 10x magnification. Numerous factors are taken into account—including the position, size and number of characteristics—as well as how they affect the overall appearance.
Most people think of a carat in terms of the size of the diamond, but it is actually based on weight. The weight of a diamond is traditionally measured in terms of carat, a unit of weight with 1 carat equaling .20 grams. Each carat is divided into 100 points, allowing for a very precise measurement of the diamond. For instance, a diamond that weighs .50 carat may be referred to as a “half-carat” or a “fifty-pointer”.
