Eye Clean to Keep the Price Down
Diamond Inclusions
Diamonds are mined from the earth where they have been created through years of pressure upon carbon deposits found in the ground. This means that each diamond is unique and majority of diamonds will come with inclusions. An Inclusion is a “carbon spot” a dark mark in the diamond or a white feather or cloud within the diamond.
These inclusions cannot be avoided unless you want to spend the money for a flawless diamond, which I do not recommend. Many times the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond can hide or make it extremely difficult to see the inclusion. Many times when I look at diamonds I choose it based on how “eye clean” the diamond looks. This means that from 5-6 inches away with no magnifying tools the diamond seems to have no inclusions.
Lets look at the chart to see how diamonds are graded and what determines the clarity grade for a diamond. These are based upon being magnified by a loupe, a tool that jewelers use to see inside the diamond.
Through my experience, the most common clarity would be an SI1 because of the price and because it is usually “eye clean.” Also, the reason you must see a diamond before you purchase it is because of the inclusion locations.
If I have 5 stones that are graded SI2, all 5 will probably have different inclusions and in different locations on the diamond. Sometimes there can be a hard and very visible inclusion on the side of the diamond but a good jeweler can sometimes cover it with the prong that holds the the diamond into the setting.
IF: Flawless which means there are no inclusions within the diamond
VVS1-VVS2: Very Very slightly Included. They usually have very small pinpoint inclusions that can only be seen when louped. Many times the inclusion are white.
VS1-VS2: Very Slightly Included. They usually have a couple inclusions that are pinpoint throughout the diamond. These inclusions could be pinpoint black with a mix of small white inclusions.
SI1-SI2: Slightly Included: SI1 usually has larger inclusions that are not visible with the naked eye but tend to be closer to the surface of the diamond. SI2 usually has at least one or two visible inclusions with the naked eye.
I1-I2-I3: Included. These diamonds usually have many inclusions on the surface of the diamond visible to the naked eye. This could include a salt and pepper look, with lots of small white and black inclusions. It could be large carbon inclusions near the surface, sometimes large white feathers across the whole diamond. At times there are diamonds that give a look of “frozen spit.”
When push comes to shove I always suggest to find a diamond that is Eye Clean that will match your budget. Be aware that you will have some inclusions and don’t be turned off by them. Take the time to find one that looks good to you. This doesn’t mean you have to buy a VS stone but many times you will find a lower clarity diamond that is “a good SI2, or a good I1″ meaning the inclusions are not 100% visible or they can be covered with a prong.
Let your Jeweler help you pick a diamond that matches your budget.
I hope I clarified some of your concerns.
Brian “BP” Plante
How I Proposed
Proposing to your girlfriend is not a spur of the moment notion. Many of us plan and save and try to get creative so we can be different but most importantly, make sure the one we love is happy. I had the same intent when I made the decision to propose to my girlfriend of 3 1/2 years, Cathy.
I had my budget purchased a 1.83 Fancy Yellow Cushion center stone, .80 point total weight trillion’s as the side stones mounted in white gold. Of course getting home I did what every man does, I hid the ring in my sock drawer. I was so excited to give it to her and I didn’t want to wait. I’m not always the most romantic so I knew I had a chance to be a little more romantic but since I like to joke around I felt I could mix romantic and humor into my proposal.
To bring an element of surprise I knew timing and expectations were everything. To build up the expectations for Cathy on Monday I set the tone. I ordered tickets to the Blue Man Group for the upcoming Friday and set reservations for a famous Lobster house in NYC. I emailed her both reservations and told her to keep Friday free. I knew her expectations were set high for that friday. If she had any idea I would propose I knew she would think it would be happening that friday. My intentions were to get her hopes and her focus on Friday’s dinner.
Monday I made sure to tell Cathy’s mother and father my plans to propose as well as asked her daughter for permission. After receiving their blessing I knew tuesday would be the day. Tuesday Cathy couldn’t stop talking about Friday. After work on our normal tuesday after Cathy came into our room from the kitchen I dove into the next step of my life. As she walked in, I got on one knee, and handed her a closed ring box. She had the biggest smile and kept telling me “no not yet, don’t joke with me.”
I kept insisting she open it. Finally, she opened the ring box and started to crack up. Inside the box I put a note that said “I Owe U.” As she was laughing she gave me a hug and as we were embracing I took the ring from my right pocket and put it on her finger. Then I asked those famous words “Will you Marry Me” where she responded “I owe you the answer.”
Of course she said yes, and we finished off that week by her showing off her new diamond ring at the Lobster restaurant and then at the Blue Man Group.
My suggestion is to be creative, have fun, and make sure it’s all about her and what she wants.
Hope to hear your engagement stories soon.
Brian Plante
The 4 C’s of Diamonds
Carat, Cut, Color, Clarity
I am a diamond wholesaler. I supply retail stores across the country with diamonds for their stock and special customers. What I have noticed most is that there is a lack of education regarding diamonds when the consumer is looking to purchase. The blog category will focus on education and diamond knowledge. We will start with the 4 c’s.
When it comes to diamonds they are all different and they all get graded and priced according to these 4 topics. When choosing a diamond you must have a price in mind and be willing to compromise on some of these 4 categories in order to fit your budget.
First C: Cut: This is the shape of the diamonds. There are many to choose from the most popular are Round diamonds and Princess cut diamonds. Some others to choose from are, Pear Shape, Marquise, Cushion, Emerald Cut, Ascher Cut, Oval cut and others that are not as important.
Second C: Carat: This is the size and weight of the diamond. The is one of the biggest factors when it comes to price. The majority of diamonds sold for wedding rings are 3/4 of a carat up to 1 carat. As the carat weight increases the price increases exponentially.
Third C: Color: Diamond are made naturally in the ground so they will not all be crystal clear. They are graded by Letters: D being the whitest with least amount of color all the way down to Z which is yellow. The majority of diamonds bought are G or H color because they are white enough with very little hint of yellow that can be hardly seen. This brings the price down instead of trying to get a D, E, or F color.
Fourth C: Clarity: Every diamond will have natural inclusions which are bits of carbon that are present from the natural process that diamonds are formed in the ground. Many people want the best clarity where there are no inclusions but prepare to spend a pretty penny for it. When it comes to clarity my suggestion is to not worry about what grade its gets, anywhere from Flawless to I3 which is tons of black in the diamond. I suggest to go by the look of the diamond. If it is eye clean, meaning from about 6 inches away you cannot see any inclusions than that is clean enough for a ring.
Go to your local jeweler. Take your time and have a clear budget for your diamond. Look at the diamonds and buy it because it looks great not because it has great grades. Too many people today buy diamonds online without ever seeing it because it graded well. Understand your 4 C’s and the 5th C which is most important is Choose.
Brian “BP” Plante
P.S. If you find this post helpful I encourage you to post it to Facebook or Retweet it and as always show some love and leave a comment.
Make Your Local Jeweler Your Best Friend
Jewelry Purchases Happen More Than Once
Today many of us have focused our attention towards the internet to find everything we are looking for. We buyclothes, games, household items, even our personal necessities on the web. I agree the internet has made our lives easier and we are able to share and find information quickly and easily but at the same time we must remember how important a relationship and service are to our lives.
I bring this up because many people are venturing to the internet to make their jewelry and diamond purchases. They may believe they will get a better deal or that it is more simple but I urge you to step out of the box a little bit and go to your local jeweler. Don’t go just to get a good deal but take the time to get to know your jeweler. What does he/she like to do as a hobby, do you know any of their family are your kids the same age. Purchasing jewelry for special occasions will happen many times throughout your life and it is important to build a relationship with someone you trust to help you through those situations. Buying a diamond or jewelry is not a small purchase. It’s an investment, and it’s important to have someone that you trust explaining what is a good deal for you and also someone who knows what you and your spouse like to make your purchase easier.
When you purchase a car you try to have a car expert with you. Why? It’s not a small purchase and it needs to be reliable. Do yourself a favor and build a great friendship with your local jeweler. Trust me, it will pay off much more than trying to just get a good deal online. When your in a jam, a piece of jewelry needs to be repaired or you have a last minute gift to find you want to be able to make a quick phone call to your friend that you trust to do the work for you and to your standards. The more loyal you are to your jeweler the more perks it will earn you.
If you are purchasing a diamond for the first time or this is the 10th piece of jewelry you have purchased, ask yourself, do I know my jeweler? Would I consider him a friend? Would he go above and beyond for me because of our relationship? I hope this is a quick eye opener for you and for those of you who don’t have a jeweler yet email me for a recommendation in your area, I would be happy to help.
Your Diamond Insider
Brian Plante
Brian@GlobeDiamonds.com
Effect of Fluorescence on Diamonds
Good or Bad?
Fluorescence is often a term that is misunderstood and confuses people when buying diamonds. Some people even mistake it with color. Fluorescence is a natural inherent property of a diamond that is caused by trace amounts of the element boron in a given stone. The visible effects of fluorescence can only be detected when a diamond is exposed to UV light which stimulate the boron within the stone.
Fluorescence is classified as none or negligible, faint, medium, strong or very strong. The presence of fluorescence can be either good or bad. The impact of fluorescence on any given stone depends on it’s noticeability. In some higher color stones, fluorescence can give a stone a milky or hazy appearance and lower the value. In some cases, fluorescence is hardly noticeable and has minimal impact on a stones fire and brilliance. To the contrary, fluorescence in lower color stones (i.e. I,J,K colors) may add value because it gives the diamond a whiter and brighter appearance. Let your jeweler help you pick the diamond which will fit your budget and your standards.
Your Diamond Insider
Brian Plante
Ideal Diamond
Engineer Perfect Proportions
The cut of a diamond, also known as the “make” refers to the proportions and finish of a given diamond. Most gemologists say that the cut of a diamond may be the single most determining factor of a stone’s value because it gives the stone its fire and brilliance. Well cut stones often fetch a high premium in the market and can increase the value of a stone by up to 25%. A well cut diamond can often take a lower color diamond, say J– K color and make it look like a higher color because of the brilliance of the cut.
When a diamond is cut to the ideal proportions, it is generally symmetrical with a proper depth, table and finish. The result is light entering the stone reflecting internally from facet to facet and it is totally reflected back out only through the top of the diamond, creating the brilliance. If a diamond is cut too shallow, light leaks out of the bottom of the stone; if it is too deep and light leaks out the side; if proportions are correct, light is reflected back out of the top of the stone to create the fire and brilliance which is most desirable.
One often overlooked variable that factors into a diamond’s cut grade is it’s finish. Finish covers every aspect of a diamond’s appearance that is not a result of the diamond’s inherent nature when it comes out of the ground. It is essentially the quality of the cut that is determined by the diamond cutter. Finish is broken down into two subcategories: Polish and Symmetry. Polish refers to the surface of the diamond while Symmetry refers to the alignment and uniformity of the facets. Look for diamonds with Excellent – Good finish to achieve higher cut grades. Your jeweler will help you pick the perfect diamond that fits your budget and your standards. Put your trust in your jeweler, but come to him knowledgeable.
Your Diamond Insider
Brian Plante
Let’s Get Technical about Diamonds
Diamond Anatomy
Although I don’t feel it is 100% crucial to know the in’s and out’s of diamonds, I do feel there are many people out there that would prefer to know every little detail. If that is you than this post is meant for you. Let’s look at the framework of a diamond. The modern brilliant cut diamond consists of 58 facets. (57 if you exclude the culet). The top of the diamond, referred to as the crown, (top half of the diamond above the girdle) has 33 facets and the bottom half below the girdle, known as the pavilion, has 25 facets. Diamond reports from nearly all labs will identify numerous measurements and ratio’s referencing various parts of the diamond anatomy. Take a look at the picture below.
The most important part of the diamond to recognize: The total diameter of the diamond, the total depth, and the table. These three factors are the main determining factors for the cut grade of the diamond.
The diameter is the measurement of the width of the diamond, it is measured from girdle to girdle. The depth of the diamond is the height of the diamond measured from culet to table. The table is the top portion of the diamond between the facets. Table percentage is the ratio of the table width compared to the total width of the diamond, i.e. 55%. Each shape has a preferred table percentage that will give the diamond the best light refraction causing sparkle and brilliance.
Your Diamond Insider
Brian Plante
Holiday Diamond Etiquette
Happy Holidays! In the diamond business October begins our Holiday season. We have 3 solid months of extra work, longer hours, and an increase in inventory. This means your retail jeweler will have more work which means it could take longer to get your custom diamond ring or diamond earrings finished.
During this time of the year it is a great time to purchase a pair of diamond studs for your loved one and it is the time of the year where more young couples get engaged on Christmas and New Years. If you are reading this right now you might be having those same thoughts crossing your mind. Congrats! This is a great time to purchase an engagement ring but here are a few tips to help you through this chaotic time.
- Most important part of the holiday shopping for diamonds of any sort is to start early! October and early November should be your starting point. Don’t wait till Black Friday or the 15th or 20th of December. You would much rather have a larger selection to choose from and you don’t want to rush your decision based on a time table of 3 days before Christmas.
- Know your budget and have the funds available. I understand it is important to propose during the holidays but be honest with yourself when you are shopping. If you do not find exactly what you want with your budget than take some extra time to save up a little more. What is very popular is to do a layaway program with your jeweler. Pay as much as you can up front and keep making payments until you finish paying for your diamond ring. This should be no more than 3 months of layaway time although I do know others who do 6 month layaway plans. Something to consider now if you would like to propose for Valentine’s Day.
- Decide right away who will help you pick out the diamond ring. A big mistake I see being made constantly, you pick out the diamond, the ring, get it mounted, leave a deposit, and start making payments. You get excited and you want to get the approval of your mother, or her mother, or another friend or family member. After your 4 week process your family member comes in , looks at the ring and decides “She won’t want this, she wants….” This will destroy your confidence in your choice and it wastes your time and your jeweler’s time. If you will be getting the opinion of others, they should be with you from the beginning of the process so there are no bumps in the road at the end of the sale.
Take these suggestions and get moving. I hope you have an enjoyable experience and a great Holiday Season. This is my favorite time of the year and I love to see others happy and excited as they open a new chapter in their life.
Cheers to your Diamond Purchase
Brian Plante
Are Diamonds Forever
Reselling Your Diamonds
There are many reasons why you may be looking to sell your diamond back to a jeweler.
Maybe you have had the same diamond for 15 years and you are ready to trade it in and upgrade to a larger better quality option. Times could be tough with the current recession and you may be just searching for quick cash options. Maybe you inherited some diamond jewelry and you will be using to pay off current debts. Or unfortunately, you could be divorced and want to relieve yourself of all the old memories.
No matter what the reason, let’s talk about what to expect when selling your diamonds back to a jeweler or pawn shop.
First, understand that there are thousands of people selling their diamonds just as you are. Jewelers and pawn shops see anywhere from 20-100 diamonds a day from consumers looking to sell them back for different reasons.
Second, expect to get 60% less cash back than what you originally paid for the diamond. In order for the jeweler to make it worthwhile to help you out he must make a purchase at wholesale or below wholesale pricing. He may purchase the diamond back from you and it is very likely that it could sit in his inventory for another 2-3 years before it is resold.
Third, be ready to talk about trade in options. For many, they upgrade their diamonds just as many times as the upgrade their Honda Accord. It is possible to get more value for your current diamond if you trade it in and purchase a larger diamond. Ask for these options when you bring it in to be evaluated.
Fourth, bring the certificate that came with your original diamond purchase. Your diamond is more valuable if it is already certified and if you bring in the certificate. This will make it easier for the jeweler to make an offer for your diamond.
Fifth, have a number in your mind that you would like to receive for your diamond and if you have time don’t be afraid to shop around to 2-3 places. Keep in mind, an offer may change if you come back to the same jeweler at a later date.
In conclusion, diamonds will always equate into cash. It can be a great option to sell your diamonds and jewelry if you are short on cash but be prepared before you get offers. You may be able to get more money by selling it to a family member or friend. I hope you don’t have to sell your diamonds out of need but rather because you would like to upgrade to a bigger and better diamond.
Your Diamond Insider
Brian Plante
Size up to the Competition: Diamond Weights
Majority of Women Still Feel Bigger is Better
Here is a quick post about diamond sizes. Bigger will exponentiate the cost of the diamond but most women tend to “compete” with their friends. The first area of competition is usually size. Here is a photo of different carat weights when it comes to round diamonds.
These are actual diamond sizes. The most common sizes are between .5 to 1.0 carat diamond. Sometimes you can get lucky and find a diamond that is “spready” meaning it is the mm size of a larger stone but weighs less, which means it would cost less. Hope this gives you a good picture of what is the best size for your loved one.
Happy Purchasing and Enjoy your experience
Diamond Insider
Brian Plante