DND Jewelers Diamond Buyers Guide
At DND Jewelers we stand behind what we sell. Our diamonds are GIA certified and Laser Inscribed for your security. Every diamond is accurately graded, represented and fairly priced. We realize that shopping for a diamond is not simple and that there are complicated grading systems and terms to understand. We believe in taking the time to educate our customers and explain all the factors that determine the value of a diamond. We want your diamond purchase to be a special experience and we are committed to making sure our customers select a diamond that they are proud of.
How to Select A Diamond:
When selecting a diamond look for the four C’s that determine the value and quality of a diamond: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat.
Cut is not the same as shape; shape is a matter of personal preference, but the quality of the cut determines whether light will be properly reflected through the diamond and the color properly dispersed. An ideal cut diamond is cut to precise calculated proportions to produce the maximum brilliance and symmetry. Diamonds that adhere to these precise proportions are truly a rare find.
A diamond’s Color ranges from “D” which is no color, to Z, which is a light yellow. The closer a diamond comes to being colorless, the more valuable it is. A diamond with “D” color on the color grade has perfect color. When deciding on the color of your diamond, you must take into consideration the metal in which the diamond will be set in (i.e. platinum, yellow gold). If your diamond will be set in platinum, we recommend the colors “D-F,” however, if the setting you have chosen is yellow gold, we would recommend choosing a diamond ranging in color from “G-I.” Selecting a diamond to compliment the chosen metal will enhance the overall appearance of your diamond in its setting.
The Clarity of a diamond is determined by the visibility of any flaws in or on the surface of a diamond. Almost all diamonds contain naturally occurring internal characteristics called inclusions. The size, nature, location and number of inclusions determine a diamonds clarity grade and affects the value of a diamond; the fewer inclusions in a diamond the greater its value. The GIA scale provides a universal way to communicate a diamond’s clarity grade. The clarity grade corresponds to the inclusions found in a diamond. A diamond expert should have a trained eye and be able to judge a diamond’s clarity even in the absence of magnification or a gem scope.
GIA Clarity Grading Scale:
| Flawless (F) | Internally Flawless (IF) | VVS1 | VVS2 | VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 | I1-I3 |
| No visible Inclusions | Minute Inclusions | Minor Inclusions | Noticeable - Obvious Inclusions | |||||
A diamond’s weight is measured in Carats and one carat equals one hundred points. Since one carat equals one hundred points, a fifty-point diamond is one-half carat in size. The size of a diamond is the easiest quality for an inexperienced buyer to judge. However, it is important to remember that size is only one of the four qualities affecting the value of a diamond. The value of two diamonds of identical weight will vary greatly depending on the cut, color and clarity of each of the diamonds.
DND Jewelers recommends that when you begin shopping for a diamond, find a jeweler you can trust and one that uses the GIA grading scale to define diamond quality. This will help to avoid confusion and maintain uniformity. Next, decide on how much you want to spend. Discussing a price range with your jeweler will allow for flexibility in terms of the size and quality of your diamond and may get you a better value for your money.