Diamond 101 Crash Course
Westchester's Diamond Store
CUT
Cut refers to proportions of a diamond, meaning - table size, crown and pavilion angles.
If a diamond is cut to ideal proportions it will have maximum light refraction and sparkle like crazy.
We call them 10 table diamonds meaning in a dim lit restaurant, you can see it sparkle and shine from 10 tables away.
Another way of emphasizing it would be a sports car that does not go fast and does not have superior handling. You might as well buy an SUV. Poor cuts are a mistake.
We want to see Excellent Cut, Excellent Symmetry, and Excellent polish or at least very good for all 3 categories.
If this is achieved you will be happy with your purchase for generations to come.
Color
Color affects the entire diamond. The scale goes from D - Z.
D, E, F
G, H, I, J
Meaning the way a diamond is realistically set in your ring, especially with an Ideal cut, you will see no obvious body color- face up. Below that is...
K, L, M, N, O, P ALL THE WAY TO Z
These grades of color in your diamond will have obvious body color and show up as yellow, silvery or brownish to your eye in YOUR ring.
THE D'ERRICO STANDARD IS H COLOR AND ABOVE IF POSSIBLE
Clarity
There is no other consumer product, that we buy, that is looked at this way. Not a home, car, clothing or food. Although the food we probably should- lol.
The grading scale starts at
FL AND IF
Flawless and Internally Flawless
The inclusions do NOT exist in this grade of diamond. They are very rare and quite expensive. Next on the scale are...
VVS1 AND VVS2
Very Very Slightly Included to the first and second degree
With these grade of diamonds, it is extremely hard to see any inclusions under 10x magnification. You really have to break your eyes to find the tiniest little dot. Next on the scale...
VS1 AND VS2
Very Slightly Included to the first and second degree
It is difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification, in these grades of diamonds. Next on the scale is...
SI1 AND SI2
Slightly Included to the first and second degree
...Which is easy to somewhat easy to see inclusions and blemishes under 10x magnification. These diamonds are referred to as EYE clean and can NOT be seen set in YOUR ring. Next on the clarity scale are...
I1, I2, AND I3
Included to the first, second and third degree
These clarity grades have obvious inclusions to the unaided eye - and may affect sparkle and durability. We suggest not to purchase this grade.
THE D'ERRICO STANDARD IS SI1 CLARITY AND ABOVE IF POSSIBLE
Carat
Carat is a measurement of WEIGHT
It is what the diamond weighs on the SCALE
The more a diamond's carat weight is - meaning the heavier the diamond is - the more difficult and RARE it is to find with an Ideal cut, H color and above and SI1 clarity and above. This affects the COST quite a bit.
FLUORESCENCE
There are 4 grades for fluorescence
NONE
which is the preferred
FAINT
which is OK
MEDIUM AND STRONG
which we recommend not to purchase
Medium or strong fluorescence diamonds usually fluoresce a blue hue - and can effect the diamond's refraction and overall beauty.
GIA REPORT
All of our diamonds are G.I.A. certified which is the industry standard report.
Buying a diamond without a GIA report is like buying a car without a title.
We should never do such a thing.
IN CONCLUSION WE WANT
H color and above - so there is NO body color
SI1 and above clarity - so there are no visible inclusions