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Whether you are shopping for loose diamonds in NYC or the perfect center stone for an engagement ring, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of the options. When buying a diamond, you’ll probably hear terms like “princess cut” and “3/4 carats” being tossed around. However, without the proper knowledge, you might not know what they mean. Before you begin shopping, here are a few of the terms that you need to know. - Cut. When it comes to finding the perfect diamond to fit an engagement ring, the cut is perhaps the most obvious thing to consider. “Cut” refers to the shape and proportions of the diamond. Each diamond is cut to display a different type of brilliance. Light shines through it in different ways depending on the angles. This, combined with the shape, allows the diamond to sparkle perfectly.
- Shape. The way a diamond is cut gives the gem its shape. For instance, a princess-cut diamond is a square diamond. A round-cut diamond, obviously, is a circle. However, there are many irregular shaped diamonds as well. Marquis diamonds are oblong with points on either ends. Emerald cuts are long and rectangular, while pear-shaped diamonds are shaped like tear drops.
- Color. Examining a diamond’s color allows you to find the most perfectly clear diamond. While diamonds can, in fact, be white, most people prefer to have them colorless. The Gemological Institute of America uses a grading system to determine the color of each diamond. Using the letters D-Z, you can determine the color of the stone. Diamonds that are classified as a D are considered colorless, while diamonds with a Z rating are a light yellow.
- Clarity. A perfect diamond contains no blemishes or inclusions. Clarity refers to the perfection of each stone. A rating system is set in place to let you know exactly each diamond’s clarity. Some may be flawless, while others might have small inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye. Then there are some diamonds that may have blemishes that are easily noticeable just by looking at them. The Gemological Institute of America uses FI to identify those stones that are completely flawless. Then, IF refers to those stones with minor surface blemishes but that are completely flawless internally. WS, WS2, VS, and VS2 are ways to classify those diamonds with small inclusions. SI1-SI2 also refers to diamonds with small inclusions. Finally, those stones with imperfections that can be seen by the naked eye are given the code I1-I3.
- Carat. The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. Usually, the larger the carat, the more expensive the stone. To determine the carat of a diamond, each carat is divided up into 100 points. So, if a stone has 78 points, it is .78 carats. The more carats a diamond has, the larger the stone is.
When it comes to buying diamonds in NYC, it’s important to take your time before purchasing so you can find the best diamond for your budget. By examining the cut, color, clarity, and carat carefully, you’re sure to find the perfect stone for your ring.
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