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Diamond Education

When it comes to choosing the perfect diamond for your engagement ring, it's important to understand the differences between natural mined diamonds and lab grown diamonds. Both options have their own unique qualities and characteristics that make them special in their own ways.

Natural mined diamonds are formed deep within the Earth's crust over billions of years. They are created under intense heat and pressure, resulting in their exceptional hardness and brilliance. These diamonds are rare and precious, making them highly sought after. Each natural diamond is completely unique, with its own individual flaws and imperfections, known as inclusions, which give it a distinct personality.

On the other hand, lab grown diamonds are created in a controlled laboratory environment using advanced technology. These diamonds have the same chemical and physical properties as natural diamonds, but they are grown in a matter of weeks instead of taking millions of years to form. Lab grown diamonds are more affordable compared to natural diamonds, making them a popular choice for those who want a larger high-quality diamond at a fraction of the price.

For those who appreciate the rarity and natural beauty of diamonds, a natural mined diamond may be the ideal choice. The unique imperfections found in natural diamonds add character and charm to the stone. On the other hand, lab grown diamonds offer a more affordable option without compromising on quality. These diamonds are ethically sourced and have a smaller environmental impact compared to mining. Ultimately, the choice between a natural mined diamond and a lab grown diamond comes down to personal preference and budget. Both options offer stunning beauty and durability, ensuring that your engagement ring will be a symbol of love and commitment for years to come. At Jean Pierre Jewelers, we offer a large selection of both certified natural and lab grown diamonds.

The 4 C's

When choosing the perfect diamond, there are a few factors to consider. The 4Cs - carat weight, cut, color, and clarity - are universally used to evaluate the quality of a diamond. Carat weight refers to the size of the diamond, while cut determines how well the diamond reflects light and sparkles. Color ranges from colorless to yellow, with colorless diamonds being the most valuable. Clarity refers to the presence of inclusions or blemishes within the diamond.

Color

Diamond color is all about what you can’t see. Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness – the less color, the higher their value. (The exception to this is fancy-color diamonds, such as pinks and blues, which lie outside this color range.Most diamonds found in jewelry stores run from colorless to near-colorless, with slight hints of yellow or brown. GIA’s color-grading scale for diamonds is the industry standard. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues with increasing presence of color to the letter Z, or near-colorless. Each letter grade has a clearly defined range of color appearance. Diamonds are color-graded by comparing them to stones of known color under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions.Many of these color distinctions are so subtle as to be invisible to the untrained eye. But these slight differences make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.

Clarity

Because diamonds formed deep within the earth, under extreme heat and pressure, they often contain unique birthmarks, either internal (inclusions) or external (blemishes). Diamond clarity refers to the absence of these inclusions and blemishes. Diamonds without these birthmarks are rare, and rarity affects a diamond’s value. Using the GIA International Diamond Grading System™, diamonds are assigned a clarity grade that ranges from flawless (FL) to diamonds with obvious inclusions (I3). Every diamond is unique. None is absolutely perfect under 10× magnification, though some come close. Known as Flawless diamonds, these are exceptionally rare.

The GIA Clarity Scale contains 11 grades, with most diamonds falling into the VS (very slightly included) or SI (slightly included) categories. In determining a clarity grade, the GIA system considers the size, nature, position, color or relief, and quantity of clarity characteristics visible under 10× magnification.Flawless (FL) - No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification Internally Flawless (IF) - No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) - Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10× magnification Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) - Inclusions are clearly visible under 10× magnification but can be characterized as minor. Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) - Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader using 10× magnification Included (I1, I2, and I3) - Inclusions are obvious under 10× magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance.

Cut

Though extremely difficult to analyze or quantify, the cut of any diamond has three attributes: brilliance (the total light reflected from a diamond), fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), and scintillation (the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved).

An understanding of diamond cut begins with the shape of a diamond. The standard round brilliant is the shape used in most diamond jewelry. All others are known as fancy shapes. Traditional fancy shapes include the marquise, pear, oval and emerald cuts. Hearts, cushions, triangles and a variety of others are also gaining popularity in diamond jewelry. As a value factor, though, cut refers to a diamond’s proportions, symmetry and polish. For example, look at a side view of the standard round brilliant. The major components, from top to bottom, are the crown, girdle and pavilion.

A round brilliant cut diamond has 57 or 58 facets, the 58th being a tiny flat facet at the bottom of the pavilion that’s known as the culet. The large, flat facet on the top is the table. The proportions of a diamond refer to the relationships between table size, crown angle and pavilion depth. A wide range of proportion combinations are possible, and these ultimately affect the stone’s interaction with light.In early 2005, GIA unveiled a diamond cut grading system for standard round brilliants in the D-to-Z color range. This system, the product of more than 15 years of intensive research and testing, assigns an overall diamond cut grade ranging from Excellent to Poor.

The distance from the bottom of the girdle to the culet is the pavilion depth. A pavilion depth that’s too shallow or too deep will allow light to escape through the sides or the bottom of the stone. A well-cut diamond will direct more light through the crown.

Shape

Diamonds are renowned for their brilliance and fire, which are significantly influenced by their cut shapes. Each diamond cut shape has unique characteristics that affect not only its aesthetic appeal but also how it interacts with light. The shape that most people will be familiar with is the round diamond. This represents the classic diamond, the example of brilliance and shine. However, there are actually several other shapes in addition to the standard round. It takes a careful and precise hand to cut these various shapes flawlessly. Below is an overview of the most popular diamond cut shapes and their distinctive features.

The round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond shape, accounting for approximately 75% of all diamonds sold. Its 58 facets are designed to maximize light return, resulting in exceptional brilliance. The round shape effectively masks color and clarity imperfections due to its ability to reflect light from multiple angles, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a vibrant appearance.

The princess cut, characterized by its square shape and sharp corners, is the second most popular cut. It features a similar facet arrangement to the round cut, allowing for significant light reflection. The princess cut can conceal color and clarity issues effectively, particularly in the lower color grades, as the intricate faceting can distract the eye from any inclusions or color tints.

The emerald cut is known for its rectangular shape and step-cut facets, which create a hall of mirrors effect. This cut emphasizes clarity over brilliance, making it essential to select a high-quality stone. While the emerald cut does not mask color as effectively as round or princess cuts, its elongated shape can help to minimize the appearance of color in lower-grade diamonds.

The oval cut combines the brilliance of the round cut with an elongated shape, offering a unique appearance. This shape can create the illusion of greater size, making it a popular choice for those seeking a larger-looking diamond. The oval cut can effectively mask color and clarity issues, similar to the round cut, due to its numerous facets and light-reflecting properties.

The pear cut, resembling a teardrop, is a hybrid of the round and marquise cuts. Its unique shape can enhance the perceived size of the diamond while also providing a distinctive look. The pear cut can effectively hide color and clarity flaws, particularly when the pointed end is oriented downwards, drawing attention away from any imperfections.

The marquise cut, with its elongated shape and pointed ends, is designed to maximize carat weight, resulting in a larger appearance. This cut can effectively mask color and clarity issues due to its unique shape and the way it reflects light. However, it is essential to choose a high-quality marquise cut, as its elongated shape can also highlight inclusions if not properly selected.

In conclusion, understanding the unique characteristics of each diamond cut shape is crucial for making an informed purchasing decision. The choice of cut not only influences the diamond's visual appeal but also its ability to mask color and clarity imperfections. Selecting the right cut shape can enhance the overall beauty of the diamond, ensuring that it remains a timeless piece for years to come.

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