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D I A M O N D E D U C A T I O N
Overview of the FOUR C’s
Because the best decision you can make when it comes to buying a
diamond is an informed one, we have created this guide to
educate you on the four Cs of diamonds. You will learn how to
understand cut, color, clarity, and carat weight of diamonds.
This easy-to-read guide will give you the tools you need to buy
your quality diamond with confidence.
1 - Cut:
The cut of a diamond refers to much more than its shape. A
diamond's visual beauty is a reflection of its cut, which
determines its brilliance, or sparkle. A poor cut can reduce the
brilliance of an otherwise perfect diamond, while a great cut
can set an average diamond on fire. LaMonir exclusively carries
diamonds that have been carefully cut to maximize their
brilliance
2 - Color:
Color is the presence or absence of yellow tint in a diamond.
When it comes to color in diamonds, less is definitely more.
Colorless diamonds are the rarest and accordingly, they are
priced the highest. To help you choose a diamond that appears
colorless to the naked eye, LaMonir has assembled a collection
of diamonds with the highest grade of color as well as this
guide, designed to educate you on the color range of diamonds
and how to select the diamond that is perfect for you.
Colorless: D, E, and F
Near colorless: G, H, I, J
Faint yellow: K, L, and M
Yellow/brown: N-Z The most desirable color for a diamond
Top quality, slight traces of color visible to a trained eye
Near colorless in small stones. Larger stones will appear tinted
Stones will show a yellowish tint to an untrained eye
3 - Clarity:
The clarity of a diamond is determined by its identifying
characteristics. Consider clarity as the diamond's internal
thumbprint. No two are exactly alike. The impact on the
diamond's quality is influenced by the size, number, location,
and type of inclusion. Diamonds with very few inclusions are the
most valuable as they are the rarest. LaMonir provides not only
the information you need to determine the grade of clarity that
is right for you, but also a wide range of stunning, clear
diamonds to choose from.
4 - Carat Weight:
While you may already know that a diamond's weight is expressed
in carats, this guide is intended to inform you about the
exponential rise in value of larger diamonds due to their
rarity. Because purchasing a diamond requires you to consider
each of the four Cs, we can help you to give the right amount of
weight to the size of your diamond and chose the one that will
fit your budget and look dazzling in its setting.
Certification:
Carefully reviewing the grading report of a diamond is
imperative to ensure that you are getting the diamond you want.
This report, also known as the diamond certificate, verifies
significant characteristics of a diamond, including its cut,
color, clarity, and carat weight. LaMonir is pleased to educate
you on the importance of this valuable document.
Care:
Although diamonds are extremely hard and resilient, care is
needed to protect your investment. Learn how to keep your
diamond brilliant, secure, and beautiful for a lifetime.
D I A M O N D C A R E
Diamonds are durable and resilient; in fact, they are the
hardest substance on earth, amazingly resistant to damage caused
by impact or extreme heat. This does not mean that they do not
need care. Taking proper care of your diamond is the best way to
ensure that it stays beautiful and valuable for a lifetime.
LaMonir offers important preventative measures by providing
jewelry in which the diamonds are securely set and presenting
rings in soft enclosures that may be used to store your precious
jewels when they are not in use.
Additionally, it is important to regularly clean your diamond to
remove the unwanted build up caused by everyday activities,
frequently used chemicals and beauty products. Using a gentle
detergent and soft toothbrush is an affordable and effective way
to keep your diamond jewelry clean. It is also wise to
periodically bring your diamond to a professional to have it
cleaned and checked to make sure that the setting remains
secure.
How do I know which one is right for me?
In many respects, buying a diamond is no different than making
any other purchase. It ultimately is determined by your budget.
However, before completing your purchase consider this; how many
times has someone admired your jewelry and then pulled out a
magnifying loupe or a scale and asked “May I appraise your
ring?” It just doesn’t happen. At LaMonir, we are meticulous
about choosing diamonds that face up well and look great to the
unaided eye. A budget conscious shopper may want to consider the
following guidelines:
Choosing a Cut: Focus on selecting a shape that appeals
to you. The setting should suit the stone and protect sharp or
vulnerable corners. You may want to consider the type of
activity or occasion you expect to wear your jewelry. Rings and
bracelets that are more exposed and in frequent use may be safer
with rounded stones. Pointed stones can be protected with
channel or bezel settings. Earrings, pendants, brooches or
special occasion pieces can generally allow for more flexible
choices.
Choosing a size: Most people tend to choose ‘round’ sizes
such as 1 carat, ½ carat etc. Carat points are a very minute
unit of weight, so a slightly lighter stone might not look
noticeably smaller, but could lower the price. Some settings can
make a diamond appear larger, particularly in men’s jewelry. In
a multiple stone piece it is best to consider the overall appeal
rather than the weight. Two half carat diamonds are not equally
valuable as a single whole carat stone.
Choosing a color: A color grade can greatly affect the
price of a diamond, but is most noticeable in unset stones
viewed side by side under special, bright lights. Our
experienced sorters are careful to match stones perfectly for
each piece. Our expert jewelers choose the right metal for each
diamond. Stones with a hint of yellow will look best in yellow
or rose gold; slightly grey stones will appear bright in white
gold or other white metals. Compromising a color grade does not
necessarily compromise beauty when properly set.
Choosing a clarity division: As with color, most diamond
inclusions are only visible to trained professionals under
magnification. Only the lowest grade diamonds may appear to be
noticeably peppered or cloudy and are used mainly for
promotional type jewelry or the tinier accent stones. Very clean
stones are rare and costly. At LaMonir we choose the best
looking diamonds to accommodate a range of budgets. We are
confident that we are offering superior value and quality.
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