
How to Decide on the Perfect Diamond
Buying diamonds is an exciting experience. To get the best value for your money you need to know what makes a diamond valuable. In the industry, The Four C's of buying a diamond are known as a diamonds value factors.
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Carat Weight
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Although commonly thought to refer the actual size of a diamond, a carat is actually a standard unit of measure that defines the weight of a diamond.
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Color
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Diamonds are graded for color. The whiter the diamond is, the more valuable the stone is. The diamonds are graded alphabetically from D(totally colorless) to Z(yellow). For a diamond to be considered colorless, it needs to be graded a D, E, or F. However, the D-Z scale is continuous, so the difference between an F and G is very small. The average color for engagement diamonds is G-H.
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Clarity
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Diamonds are graded for clarity under 10x magnification. FL - Completely flawless IF - Internally Flawless; only external flaws are present which can be removed with further polishing. VVS1-VVS2 - Only an expert can detect flaws. VS1-VS2 - You can see flaws with a 10x microscope, but it takes a long time(more than 10sec). SI1-SI2 - you can see flaws with a 10x microscope. I1-I3 - You can see flaws with the naked eye. Consider avoiding I2-I3.
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Cut
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Diamond cut is perhaps the most important of the four C's. A good cut gives a diamond its brilliance, which is the brightness that seems to come from the heart of the diamond. When a diamond is well-cut, light enters through the table and travels to the pavilion where it reflects from one side to the other before reflecting back out of the diamond through the table and to the observers eye.This light is the brilliance we mentioned, and it's this flashing, fiery effect that makes diamonds so mesmerizing. Cuts are typically graded as Ideal Cut, Premium, Very Good, Good, Fair & Poor.
Traditional Genuine Birthstones
January
Garnet

February
Amethyst

March
Aquamarine

April
Diamond

May
Emerald

June
Pearl

July
Ruby

August
Peridot

September
Sapphire

October
Opal

November
Citrine

December
Tanzanite

Traditional Anniversary Gifts
1st - Paper 10th - Tin/Aluminum 35th - Coral, Jade
2nd - Cotton 11th - Steel 40th - Ruby
3rd - Leather 12th - Silk 45th - Sapphire
4th - Linen, Silk 13th - Lace 50th - Golden
5th - Wood 14th - Ivory 55th - Emerald
6th - Iron 15th - Crystal 60th - Diamond
7th - Wool, Copper 20th - China 75th - Diamond & Gold
8th - Bronze 25th - Silver
9th - Pottery 30th - Pearl