How To Buy A Diamond Like A Pro

Welcome back to the Stewart Kuper Jewelers blog. Today we will talk about what we look for in diamonds and teach you how to look at diamonds like a master gemologist.  

Diamond Choice

There are a lot of choices when it comes to diamonds. Picking the perfect one can seem a bit overwhelming in the midst of all the diamond vocabulary used–polished, brilliant, cut, shape, depth, symmetry–how do you begin to navigate meaning and then make the best choice? Some choices seem like it would simply be a preference, such as selecting an oval, heart, or emerald shaped diamond. And while there is no right or wrong answer in shape preference, a clearer understanding of what makes a diamond excellent can make decisions easier when it comes to finding that perfect stone. 

Diamond Cut

So let’s just start with the basics before we dive in, what is a diamond cut? When we talk about diamond cuts we don’t mean the shape of the diamond. Diamond shape and diamond cuts are actually different things! Cut is all about how the diamond was cut and polished, taking a close look at the proportions of the diamond, seeing if the symmetry and the depth of the diamond allow for light to make the diamond sparkle. The better the proportions of the cut, the more the diamond can perfectly reflect white light. If the proportions of the diamond are off (poorly cut) the diamond will be dull, and unable to sparkle as well as a perfectly cut diamond. At Stewart Kuper Jewelers, we believe that of the Four C’s, the cut of a diamond is the most important feature in considering a diamond’s quality.

Diamond Shapes

There are a variety of shapes to consider when picking a perfect diamond silhouette. A round cut diamond is by far the most popular shape and sets the standard usually in conversations about the brilliance of a diamond (brilliance simply means the amount of light that each facet of the stone reflects, and with a round-shaped brilliant diamond there are 58 such facets that when unblemished, provide an untarnished sparkle). An oval cut diamond is one of the more unique shapes, and the versatile nature of the oval-shaped diamond makes it perfect for just about any setting. A square shape can convey a vintage feel, or seem uber-modern, with the precise parallel lines of the square. A heart-shaped diamond is a rarer choice, which allows the wearer to be all the more unique for having a romantic silhouette. The shape of the diamond alone can affect the feeling of the piece and is an essential consideration.    

Diamond Polish

The polish of a diamond plays a role in the sparkle of the stone as well! When we are looking at the different polish grades what we are evaluating is the level of imperfections that may or may not exist on the facets of the diamond, scratches, or divots on the face of the gem. A diamond that is considered rough has little imperfections such as bumps on the facets that would stop light from perfectly reflecting in it, which would cause the gem to appear dimmer. Polish grades start from “Excellent”, then “Very Good”, “Good”, “Fair”, and then finally the grade with the most imperfections, “Poor”. A poorly polished diamond has visible imperfections that can be clearly seen with the naked eye. An excellent polished diamond has been polished carefully with diamond dust and even under magnification has no flaws to hinder light.  

Buying diamonds can seem a little like an art form of itself (and it is!), but now that you have some of the important tools in knowing how to pick quality diamonds, we’d love to offer you some choices for your newly discerning eye. We understand that selecting the perfect diamond is about the crafting and technical process, but it is also about finding the right stone for that special person. We’re here to help you make the choices that are perfect for you because at Stewart Kuper Jewelers, we know how important the process is in both creating and selecting the perfect diamond.