One of the most important jewelry purchases you will ever make is your engagement & wedding rings. If you would like a professionals help guiding you through the process, make sure you stop in and see Jim Vandemark, he has been helping the good people of Lorain County get engaged and married for over 30 years!
Jim say's "It is one of my favorite parts of our business, seeing a couple who have found love and want to share all of life's joys together and being able to help them find the perfect rings. That's a good feeling." If you or someone you know is looking to get engaged, send them to Vandemark Jewelers for a positive buying experience.
Clarity
Practically all diamonds contain naturally occurring internal characteristics called inclusions.The size, nature, location and amount of inclusions determine a diamond's clarity grade and affect its cost. The clarity scale ranges from flawless (FL), meaning a gemstone has no internal or external flaws, to severely included (I3), meaning there are many flaws clearly visible to the unaided eye.
Color
Most diamonds, although appearing colorless, actually have slight tones of yellow or brown. As these tones become more easily apparent, the rarity and the cost decrease.
Cut refers to the proportions, finish, symmetry, and polish of the diamond. These factors determine the brilliance and sparkle of a diamond.
Ideal Cut
The Ideal Cut Diamond describes a round brilliant diamond that has been cut to exact and mathematically proven proportions. Its symmetry, with 58 exactly placed facets, produces the ultimate in luster and beauty.
When a diamond is cut to the ideal proportions, all of the light entering from any direction is totally reflected through the top and is dispersed into a display of sparkling flashes and rainbow colors.
Premium Cut
A Premium Cut Diamond demonstrates subtle variations from the Ideal Cut. Although dimensional differences affect a diamond's reflection of light, a Premium Cut still achieves a harmonious balance between it's proportions and the display of brilliance.
The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 parts called "points," 1ct = 1.00; 1/2 ct. = .50. The value of two diamonds of the same weight can vary greatly depending on the color, clarity and especially the cut. Below are two identical pieces of rough, (uncut diamonds) each of the same quality and value.
Ideal & Premium Cut Diamonds
From one piece of rough a diamond has been cut to Ideal proportions, retaining a weight of one carat. The light is totally reflected through the top.
Inferior Cut Diamond
The second piece of rough has been "spread" in its cutting, resulting in a diamond weighing approximately 1.40 ct. Note: The girdle is thicker, the table is much larger, the angles are exaggerated, all at the expense of the diamond's ability to reflect light.
Therefore, one can see that the value of a diamond can vary as much as 40% in the cutting alone.
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