CUT
  The cutting and proportions of a diamond are         components that are controlled by man and not by     nature. It is what unlocks the beauty and brilliance of the rough uncut gem, and is what will set one diamond apart from another. Standard diamonds have 58 facets, or cuts that help direct the light through the stone. When a gem is properly proportioned, polished and cut with excellent symmetry, the light entering through the top or crown is bent and reflected inside the stone and returned through the top creating a magnificent gem!

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​When diamonds are cut lumpy or too deep, light will leak out the base or pavilion of the stone and create a dark gem that will not have the brilliancy  of a premium or ideal cut stone. A diamond that is cut too shallow, will allow light to leak out, creating a watery, glassy appearance with little brilliance. Ideal cut stones will return the majority of light through the top or crown of the gem, making for a magnificent diamond!

 COLOR

The lack of color or how white a diamond is, helps determine its value and rarity. As a stone becomes colorless, or lacks the yellow tones, the more valuable. We use the GIA color scale to measure how white a stone is. The scale starts with the letter "D" and continues to "Z", just like the alphabet. Stones in
the "D-E-F" color range are considered colorless to white,
"G-H" white. Most customers will start to discern a slight yellow tint when you reach the "I" color range and lower.
​Diamonds are generally graded loose and examined on the girdle edge,
​ rather then face up, where their brilliancy would distract your eye.

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CLARITY

Clarity or inclusions in a diamond are graded using the
GIA clarity scale. Size, number and position of the inclusions or flaws in a diamond will determine the clarity grade. Flawless diamonds will contain no internal imperfections when graded by a trained eye under 10X magnification. Most customers will find it hard to find the flaws in VVS and VS stones if they are not pointed out. SI grades can be seen more easily under magnification.
A Binocular Microscope is recommended. 
​IMP grades are generally visible to the unaided eye.

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Other things to consider.......

The size of a diamond in conjunction with the quality will affect the price.
Diamonds are weighed on a special precise scale in carats. To give you an idea,
if you had a pound of diamonds, that would equal  2,268 carats.
Breaking it down further, there are 100 points equal to 1 carat.
Just as there are 100 pennies to a dollar.

Little Silver Jewelers provides certified diamonds by the
Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS).
Both institutions are top notch, and well respected in our industry.
A diamond certificate from either entity will stand as a pedigree paper
backing up what the quality of your diamond is. It will not however give
you an appraised value. A word of caution, there are no two diamonds
that are made the same by nature, all are unique and should be examined individually. Using the certificate as part of a reference and not depending
on it solely for your purchase decision is the wise choice.
Trusting a professional with their experience & knowledge will round out your perfect diamond purchase. We really can be your best guide!

We hope your journey into diamonds has been informative and interesting.
Little Silver Jewelers looks forward to working with you on your diamond purchase.

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