29 E. Madison suite #1220
Chicago, IL 60602
Dana@EngagingRings.com

Color, Clarity, Cut & Carat Weight (continued)

Cut Not only shape, but also the proportions, symmetry and polish of a diamond. A well cut diamond will ”speak to you.” A well cut diamond will refract all of the light back to your eye, creating a fireworks display of bright fiery and vivacious dazzle. Because diamond cutting is an art, a superior talent will fashion a well proportioned diamond, which brings a higher price. The Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) has recently added a cut grade to their certifications. The scale runs excellent, very good, good, fair, poor.  There are many different combinations that fall into each grade. Another good reason to have an expert helping you.

Carat Weight The easiest to understand, since it is a direct relation to rarity. Larger diamonds are rare, and increasingly more rare, so, if the other 3 C ’s are equal (and they rarely are), a 2ct diamond will command much more than double the price on a one carat.

Dana Victoria Stone
People often ask me “which is the most important of the 4 C’s?” It's a matter of personal preference. Once you have decided what your budget is for the ring (two months' salary is customary), find a good combination that works for you. Use the four C’s as a guide to assure yourself you are getting a fair price and excellent value. Sometimes two diamonds with similar 4 C’s will look quite a bit different. This is where my expertise comes in handy. I have seen millions of diamonds and have developed over the years a discerning eye for diamond material. Most people in the industry (including, yes, retail clerks) are not educated enough to realize that there are about 15 different light-inhibiting factors found in diamond material. The 4 C's, though incredibly helpful in determining value, are not the only answer. One needs an expert eye to spot fantastic diamond material. Very few things you buy in your lifetime will be inspected so closely: Do it right the first time.



Page 1 | 2

We serve our clients one at a time. You get the personal attention and discretion that only a private jeweler can deliver. Read what our clients have to say about us.