Diamond Buying Guide
from Overstock.comFine jewelry, especially if it features diamonds, is an investment that can last for generations. For many people, diamonds compose the most beautiful, beloved and valuable jewelry they own, so it is important to know how to buy diamonds when shopping for these treasured gems. This diamond buying guide explains the stones that are featured in today's finest jewelry and provides tips on buying diamonds and caring for your diamond jewelry.
When purchasing diamond rings, diamond earrings or any type of diamond jewelry, pay attention to the diamond's four Cs: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. These are the four characteristics by which a diamond's quality is measured. If all four are ranked high, the diamond jewelry will cost more but will be that much more beautiful.
Diamond color
Traditionally, diamond color is actually graded on lack of color -- the best diamonds are almost clear. The hues graded in "white" diamonds are actually faint tones of yellow, brown and greys. An alphabetical scale from D through Z is used to express the color. Imagine two glasses of water -- one clear, the other containing a few drops of lemonade -- and you will begin to get an idea of the differences in diamond color grades. The following color scale is an approximate representation of color saturation in diamonds:
D-F: Colorless
G-I: Near colorless
J-K: Faint color
L-R: Noticeable color
S-Z: Obvious color
Once the color saturation moves beyond Z, or has a completely different hue than yellow, brown or gray, it then becomes a fancy color diamond. Fancy colors are graded on how much color and how strong it is. Diamonds come in every color of the rainbow including blue, pink, yellow, purple and black. In general, fancy diamonds are more rare than white diamonds.
Diamond clarity
Clarity is the grade that describes the inclusions and blemishes of the diamond. The fewer inclusions and blemishes, the more valuable the diamond. Clarity can also have a direct impact on the stone's brilliance. Inclusions in the diamond can block the light from reflecting inside the stone, which is the feature that gives diamond jewelry its brilliant beauty.
The following diamond clarity grades are listed from best to least and are based on the observation of a trained gemologist:
FL (flawless): No inclusions or blemishes of any kind are visible inside or outside the diamond under 10-power magnification.
IF (internally flawless): Diamond has no internal inclusions seen under 10-power magnification but has some external or surface blemishes such as a miniscule scratch.
VVS-1 & 2 (very, very slightly included): Diamond with inclusions so minute that a trained gemologist has significant difficulty seeing them in the diamond under 10-power magnification.
VS-1 & 2 (very slightly included): Diamond has minor inclusions which are moderately difficult to see under 10-power magnification.
SI-1 & 2 (slightly included): Diamond has inclusions somewhat easily seen with 10-power magnification but extremely difficult for the gemologist to see without magnification.
SI-3 (slightly included): Stones that fall right on the border between SI-2 and I-1.
I-1, 2 & 3 (included): Diamond has inclusions that are noticeable without magnification.
Clarity enhancement
Some diamonds are treated to enhance the clarity and will be noted as such in a product description. Overstock.com will identify clarity-enhanced diamonds in the product description of an individual piece of jewelry. Here is an explanation of the process:
A microscopic amount of high-refractive-index glass material is introduced into surface-reaching feathers to reduce their visibility. The treatment is most effective on very thin crevices and fissures. The diamond’s natural color is not affected by this process, and the diamond is still considered natural. The enhancement process does not add weight to the diamond since microscopic amounts of filler are used. A clarity-enhanced diamond can be identified by a "flash effect" when observing the diamond nearly parallel to the plane of the filled fracture. The flash effect usually appears blue against a bright background and yellow or orange against a dark background. It does not include a full spectrum of color but is normally just the two colors. This optical effect can best be seen with 10x magnification under a focused beam of intense light.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), after extensive research, has determined that the filler material is stable under normal wear conditions but may be damaged by high heat or acids. This damage can be easily avoided by removing clarity-enhanced diamonds before repair work is done near the diamond.
Diamond cut
Cut is divided into shape, proportion, polish and symmetry. Shape and proportion are all of great importance when cutting a diamond to its best appearance. Shape and proportion affect how a diamond "scintillates" or shines because it affects how light is reflected and refracted inside the stone, which is what causes diamonds to sparkle. Depending on how deep or shallow the diamond is cut, the face-up appearance of the diamond can also vary greatly. The polish describes how well light enters and exits the facets of the diamond. Symmetry can describe both length to width ratio and also depth percentages. "Ideal cut" is the best.
Here are some common diamond shapes:
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| Round | Princess | Marquise | Emerald | Radiant | Asscher | Oval | Pear | Heart |
Diamond carat weight
Carat is a weight measurement of diamonds. It is abbreviated "ct" or "CT" when describing a single stone. "TDW," meaning "total diamond weight," is added when the diamond jewelry is set with multiple diamonds. For example, a solitaire diamond engagement ring may be describes as "1ct" while a 3-stone diamond anniversary ring would be 1ct TDW. (Note: Carat is not the measure of gold's purity; that is spelled "karat" and is abbreviated "k." So, you may have a 1ct diamond in a 22k setting.)
It is difficult for most people to equate carat weight with an actual size. Therefore, we have included a brief guideline for comparing carat weight to millimeters. In this example, we use round and princess ideal cut diamonds. Differences in the diamond shape, depth and cut of a specific stone will mean significant variations from these sample measurements.
How can I be sure I'm getting a good diamond when I buy it online?
Each diamond jewelry description on Overstock.com lists all four Cs of the diamond and has detailed photos of each piece of diamond jewelry, so you know exactly what you're getting. In addition, our diamond jewelry prices are the best on the Web and shipping costs next to nothing.
How does a lab-grown diamond compare to a natural diamond?
A lab-grown diamond is sometimes called a "synthetic" diamond. This is often wrongly interpreted as "fake." Lab-grown diamonds have the same physical, chemical and optical properties as stones mined from the earth, and each lab-grown stone is unique. They have the same hardness, specific gravity, dispersion factor and refractive index as natural diamonds. They are polished the same way, and they have the same brilliance and sparkle. Basically, both are real diamonds; one is just grown in the earth and the other in a lab!
What are certified diamonds?
Certified diamonds are diamonds that have grading reports by gemologists from prestigious, authoritative jeweler's associations -- usually gemological institutes that educate professional jewelers. A customer who purchases a certified diamond receives this official grading report with the product. The report verifies the value of a diamond by listing the following information: carat weight, cut, color and clarity, plus dimensions. While all diamond jewelry should include ratings for the four Cs, as does all diamond jewelry sold on Overstock.com, the grading report offers more detailed information. For example, the industry accepted weight range for a 1/2-carat diamond ranges from 0.45 carat to 0.57 carat; however, a certified diamond lists the exact diamond rate, such as 0.53 carat. In addition, the report lists an approximate replacement value of the diamond.
The report for a certified diamond gives the consumer an extra level of assurance as to the diamond's quality. Many jewelers choose to place certified loose diamonds in their high-end pieces such as diamond engagement rings, diamond necklaces and large diamond stud earrings. Consumers often want to have this expensive, investment-quality jewelry insured, so a grading report helps them verify the worth of their diamonds.
Well-known laboratories that certify diamonds include the American Gem Society (AGS), Gemological Institute of America (GIA), International Gemological Institute (IGI) and European Gemological Laboratories (EGL).
How can I keep my diamond clean?
You can easily clean your diamonds with a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap mixed with water. Don't scrub too hard, however. The toothbrush won't scratch the diamond, but the metal of diamond jewelry is often soft and scratches easily. You should, now and then, get your jewelry professionally cleaned by a jeweler.
Do you sell conflict diamonds?
Most of the world's diamonds are mined in Africa. Unfortunately, in some of those countries, militia groups illegally mine and smuggle diamonds to fund their fight against their governments. Such stones have come to be called "conflict diamonds," also called "blood diamonds." Overstock.com actively supports the United Nation's Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to help eliminate the sale of conflict diamonds and guarantees that all diamonds offered for sale on our site have been purchased from recognized, legitimate sources in compliance with all United Nations Resolutions and, to the best of our knowledge and ability, none of our diamonds fund any terrorist activity. Overstock.com makes this assurance based on personal knowledge or written guarantees provided by our diamond suppliers.
Don't stop at an engagement ring
Overstock.com has a huge selection of beautiful wedding jewelry for couples ready to spend their lives together. In addition to bridal rings, we also feature handsome men's rings. Those who have been married for a few years will also find beautiful, affordable diamond rings. Check out our assortment of elegant three stone diamond rings, representing your past, present and future together. Browse through our elegant diamond eternity bands and anniversary rings -- the ones that say you'd marry her all over again.
More diamond jewelry
It wouldn't hurt to add a little sparkle to the ears or neck. You'll love the selection of diamond earrings and diamond necklaces at Overstock.com. With so many different diamond shapes available at low prices, you can easily find the earrings and necklaces that match your style. We also offer lots of diamond bracelets. Finally, anyone who appreciates fine jewelry must have a spectacular piece of diamond jewelry to wear for special occasions. Browse our one-of-a-kind jewelry to find your signature -- the one you are known for -- diamond ring, diamond choker or pair of diamond earrings.