How To Buy A Diamond Part 2

Cut and Clarity

Clarity is a measure of the number and size of the tiny imperfections that occur in almost all diamonds.
Many of these imperfections are microscopic, and do not affect a diamond's beauty in any discernible way. Much is made of a diamond's clarity, but of the Four Cs, it is the easiest to understand, and, according to many experts, generally has the least impact on a diamond's appearance. Clarity simply refers to the tiny, natural imperfections that occur in all but the finest diamonds. Gemologists refer to these imperfections by a variety of technical names, including blemishes and inclusions, among others. Diamonds with the least and smallest imperfections receive the highest clarity grades. Because these imperfections tend to be microscopic, they do not generally affect a diamond's beauty in any discernible way.

Flawless, Internally Flawless (FL, IF)

No internal or external imperfections. Internally Flawless: No internal imperfections. Very rare.

Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVs2)

Very difficult to see imperfections under 10x magnification. An excellent quality diamond.

Very Slightly Included (VS1, VS2)

Imperfections are not typically visible to the unaided eye. Less expensive than the VVS1 or VVS2 grades.

Slightly Included (SI1, SI2)

Imperfections are visible under 10x magnification, and may be visible with the unaided eye. A good diamond value.

Included (I1)

Depaula's offers a limited selection of jewelry with diamonds of I1 grade clarity. This grade of diamonds will have minor inclusions that may be visible to the unaided eye.

I2, I3

Depaula's does not carry diamonds of I2 or I3 grade clarity.

What Clarity Grade is Right for Me?

Select an "eye-clean" diamond - one that has no imperfections visible to the unaided-eye through the crown. An excellent value, diamonds of this clarity are much less expensive than flawless (FL) or internally flawless (IF) diamonds, which are extremely rare and command higher prices.
Frequently, imperfections in diamonds graded slightly included (SI) are not visible to the unaided eye, making them an excellent value. If you're considering a diamond with an SI clarity grade, call to speak to a diamond and jewelry consultant who will review the diamond to ensure the imperfections are not visible to the unaided eye.

Diamond Cut

• Cut is a diamond's most important characteristic.
• It has the greatest overall influence on a diamond's beauty.
• It determines what we generally think of as sparkle.

A diamond's cut grade is an objective measure of a diamond's light performance, or, what we generally think of as sparkle. When a diamond is cut with the proper proportions, light is returned out of the top of the diamond (which gemologists refer to as the table). If it is cut too shallow, light leaks out of the bottom; too deep and it escapes out of the side.

Cut Grades

• Ideal cut: Represents roughly the top 3% of diamond quality based on cut. Reflects nearly all light that enters the diamond. An exquisite and rare cut.
• Very good cut: Represents roughly the top 15% of diamond quality based on cut. Reflects nearly as much light as the ideal cut, but for a lower price.
• Good cut: Represents roughly the top 25% of diamond quality based on cut. Reflects most light that enters. Much less expensive than a very good cut.
• Fair cut: Represents roughly the top 35% of diamond quality based on cut. Still a quality diamond, but a fair cut will not be as brilliant as a good cut.
• Poor cut: Diamonds that are generally so deep and narrow or shallow and wide that they lose most of the light out the sides and bottom. Depaula's does not carry diamonds with cut grades of poor.