We manufacture our own diamonds, so you will be buying high quality diamonds directly from the source. We are in charge from beginning to end- from polishing the rough diamonds to the finished product. We make sure that our customers receive only the very best. We have cut out the extra costs and have passed the savings along to you without sacrificing quality. Every diamond is unique: no two are ever the same. Each has its own "personality" with its own internal and external characteristics.

The shape and quality of the rough diamond determines the shape of the polished diamond, and only the skill of an experienced cutter can reveal the potential beauty of the stone.

Gem Stone King's Diamond Tutorial

Four major components are used throughout the world to evaluate a diamond's quality and value. They are known as the 4 C's: Cut, Color, Carat and Clarity. Understanding the qualities of the 4C's and how they interact with each other will help you make the right purchase.

Carat.

Carat, abbreviated "ct." is a measure of weight used for diamonds. One carat is equal to 1/5 of a gram (200 milligrams). Stones are measured to the nearest hundredth of a carat. A hundredth of a carat is also called a point. Thus a .10 carat stone can be called either 10 points, or 1/10 of a carat. Small stones like .05, and .10ct are most often referred to by point designations.

The carat, as a unit of weight, is derived from the carob seed which was used by early gem traders to weigh diamonds. Since a carat is a unit of measure and not size, two diamonds of the same carat weight may appear to be different sizes depending on how the diamond is cut.

Clarity.

Clarity is an indication of a diamond's purity and is evaluated by viewing the stone under 10x magnification. See below the differences between what you see with the naked eye compared with what you can see with a 10x magnifying loupe. A diamond that is virtually free of interior or exterior inclusions is of the highest quality for nothing interferes with the passage of light through the diamond.

Every diamond is unique and possesses its own individual natural characteristics referred to as inclusions and described as "nature's fingerprints". These inclusions, such as minerals or fractures, appear while diamonds are formed in the earth. They may look like tiny crystals, clouds or feathers. The number, size, color, nature and position of the inclusions determine the clarity of the diamond.

The Clarity Grading Scale developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), outlined below is the most widely accepted grading system in the world.

      Clarity      Size and Number of Inclusions       10 x magnified     Naked Eye

    *

      FL          Flawless-no inclusions or blemishes         Nothing             Nothing

    *

      IF           Internally Flawless-no inclusions              Nothing             Nothing

    *

      VVS1*   Very very small inclusions-pin pricks     Very difficult        Nothing

    *

      VVS2*   Very very small inclusions-pin pricks      Very difficult       Nothing

    *

      VS1*      Very small inclusions                              Difficult to see    Nothing

    *

      VS2*      Very small inclusions                              Difficult to see    Nothing

    *

      SI1          Tiny inclusions                                         Easily seen       Nothing

    *

      SI2          Tiny inclusions                                         Easily seen       Sometimes visible

    *

      I1            Small inclusions                                        Recognizable    Not always visible

    *

      I2            Larger and/or numerous inclusions             Obvious          Recognizable

    *

      I3            Large and/or numerous inclusions             Very obvious    Very easily recognized

*Size, position and number of inclusions determine distinctions between VVS1 & VVS2 and between VS1 and VS2.

Now you will ask "Which clarity grade should I choose"?

•     Fl and IF are very rare diamonds and very expensive for the average person's pocket.

•     VVS and VS are very good clarity diamonds but are still quite expensive.

•     More affordable and very good choices are SI1, SI2, and I1 called also "eye-clean" because they have no inclusions visible to the naked eye

Color.

Color refers to the presence or absence of color in white diamonds.

Acting as a prism, a diamond can divide light into a spectrum of colors and reflect this light as colorful flashes called fire. Just as when looking through colored glass, color in a diamond will act as a filter, and will diminish the spectrum of color emitted. The less color in a diamond, the more colorful the fire and the better the color grade. Diamonds are assigned color grades by comparing them to diamonds with color grades which have been certified by the GIA as master color comparison diamonds. The GIA grades color alphabetically from D (totally colorless) to Z (yellow). See chart below:

Color differences are very subtle and it is very difficult to see the difference between say, an E and an F. Therefore, colors are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy. When determining the color of a diamond, it is crucial to see the diamond unmounted.

Champagne Diamonds- Color Scale

Champagne Diamonds are naturally colored diamonds that are produced in a wide range of colors from light straw to rich cognac. They have not been treated in any way - the color is completely Natural!

Many diamond lovers maintain that they are much more lively and sparkling than the top whites. We will let you decide for yourselves as you browse through our collection...

Please use the color on the picture as a reference only. The picture simply cannot do them justice as to the beauty of these gems.

So How should I choose?

•   Color ultimately comes down to personal taste.

•   Diamonds graded D through F are naturally the rarest and most expensive but you can purchase very attractive diamonds that are graded slightly less     than colorless.

•   Diamonds graded J through M might have a very very faint hint of yellow but this color can often be minimized by selecting the right jewelry in   which to mount the diamond.

•     If you prefer a warmer glow, a lower grade of color could also be the right choice for you.

Cut.

Diamonds can have cut grades of Ideal, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. The cut, or proportions and angles of a diamond determine how it reflects light. A diamond's reflective properties are referred to as "fire" or "brilliance." Too shallow a cut will let light escape through the sides of the diamond before it has a chance to reflect, making it appear watery or dull, while too deep a cut will allow light to be lost through the bottom of the diamond, making it appear dark, especially in the center.