Diamond Jewelry

It’s hard to go wrong with diamond jewelry. A diamond piece lends beauty, elegance, and versatility to any jewelry wardrobe. At Jeweler.com, we can offer you the best selection of diamond jewelry available online. We can help you find silver, platinum, or gold diamond jewelry at prices that fit your budget. On this page, we will address some of the basics of diamond jewelry and offer suggestions on how to select the right diamond for you.

Diamond Basics: The Four C’s

Whether you’re buying designer or discount diamond jewelry, you must consider the four C’s when making your purchase. The four C’s are the four most important characteristics of a diamond: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The four C’s of a stone will determine its quality, beauty, and price. We’ve included an explanation of each of the four C’s below.

1. Cut. Diamond jewelry that is well-cut will have the most brilliance or sparkle. Many gemologists regard cut as the most important characteristic of diamonds, as a poor cut can dull the brilliance of even the best stones. Remember that a diamond’s cut is not the same as its shape. Cut refers to the stone’s reflective qualities, while shape refers to the exterior appearance of the stone (pear-shaped, round, oval, etc.).
2. Color. A diamond’s “fire” refers to the spectrum of colors it reflects in light. Color will diffuse a diamond’s fire, which is why the more colorless a diamond is, the better its color grade will be. The color of diamond jewelry is graded D-Z, with D being completely colorless.
3. Clarity. A diamond’s flaws are known as inclusions, which are scratches or mineral traces that diminish the stone’s beauty. Usually, the inclusions of a diamond are only visible under powerful magnification unless the stone has a very poor clarity grade. Diamonds with the highest clarity grade will have no external or internal flaws.
4. Carat weight. The carat weight of your diamond is essentially its size. Stones of higher carat weights will be larger and much more expensive. In choosing the carat weight of diamond jewelry, you must consider your budget and the body type of the wearer.

Choosing the Right Diamond

Jeweler.com can help you find quality online diamond jewelry retailers, but finding the right seller is only one of many steps involved in choosing a diamond. Here are some suggestions to help you select the perfect diamond:

• Consider your budget. The size and quality of your diamond jewelry will be constrained by your budget, so make sure you have realistic expectations going into the purchase. Think about the carat weight and cut, color, and clarity grades you can afford before you begin shopping.
• Consider the wearer’s body type. Body type considerations are especially important when purchasing diamond ring jewelry. If the intended wearer has a small build, even modestly sized diamonds will look overwhelming on him or her. Conversely, people of larger builds should opt for larger carat weights in order to balance out their size.
• Choose a diamond certified by the AGSL or GIA. The diamond jewelry you purchase should come with a certificate issued by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL). These two laboratories are the most respected in the industry and tend to grade very conservatively. The certificate that accompanies your stone will verify that it possesses the qualities the seller claims. Jeweler.com can offer you access to the largest selection of GIA and AGSL certified diamond jewelry.