Loose Diamonds

Diamond Shape

Round The round brilliant is the most popular and expensive of all shapes. It will typically have 57 facets. The round brilliant cut has been refined over 100 years to maximize the color spectrum refracting to one's eyes. This is the only shape, which carries a true "cut grade", rating the diamond's overall ability to sparkle.

Princess The princess is a brilliant diamond with sharp corners and is usually square in shape, with ninety-degree angles at each corner. This shape is characterized by many thin, needle-like facets, which give the princess a lot of sparkle.

Radiant The radiant is a brilliant diamond with cut-cornered edges, which can be anywhere from square to rectangular. The overall shape of the radiant is a personal preference. The outer crown facets typically give a picture frame look, with a very bright center.

Emerald The emerald cut is a step cut diamond with cut-cornered edges, typically rectangular. Although not a brilliant cut diamond, the emerald cut offers an elegant look where one can see the entire depth of the cut.

Oval The oval is a brilliant diamond, which elongates the look of a round brilliant. Ovals can be longer and thinner, with a greater length-to-width ration, or also a more full shape.

Cushion The cushion is a brilliant diamond with rounded corners, and evolved from "Old Mine Cut" diamonds. This unique look has been popular for a century. A cushion may be anywhere from square to rectangular, and has many larger facets.

Asscher The asscher cut is a step cut diamond, which modifies the emerald cut into a cut-cornered square shape exemplified by a smaller table and larger step facets. Giving the asscher more brilliance than the emerald cut.

Marquise The marquise is a brilliant diamond with a sharp point at the top and bottom of the stone. A traditional "diamond" shape, which is typically very elongated.

Pear The pear is a brilliant diamond with one sharp point and a rounded opposite end, similar to a teardrop. Like an oval shape, the pear can be anywhere from thin and elongated to a more full shapes.

Heart The heart is a brilliant diamond, which typically has a length-to-width ratio near 1.0 and is characterized by one sharp point at the bottom of the stone.

Color

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Diamonds range from colorless through fancy colors such as yellow and pink. For colorless diamonds, D is the rarest and most valuable. Fancy colored diamonds are on a different scale as far as value and rarity.

Clarity

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Clarity indicates the degree to which a diamond is free from inclusions. Inclusions are characteristics showing that the diamond is of natural origin. A flawless diamond is very rare and therefore more valuable. The physical size, quantity, location, type and color of inclusions within the diamond are what separate each grade.

FL

Flawless

IF

Internal no inclusions

WS1/WS2

Very very slightly included

VS1/VS2

Very slightly included

SI1/SI2

Slightly included

I1

Contains inclusions visible to the naked eye

Type of Certificate

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A diamond certificate is a grading report performed by an independent gemological laboratory that evaluates and provides its opinion regarding the quality of the stone. Reports examine and identify the 4C's plus polish, fluorescence, symmetry and other factors.

GIA

Gem Institute of America

EGL

European Gemological Laboratory

AGS

American Gem Society