One of the most magical moments in life is falling in love and answering the question, “Will you marry me?” As you’re swept off your feet, into eternity with this one true love, you must also realize that you will spend the next several decades {if not forever} with the diamond that the two of you choose together.
Finding a diamond isn’t the same as going shopping for clothes or even larger purchases. Finding your diamond is a very personal and sentimental purchase in your lifetime. You’re looking for something that you love. When you’re making a purchase as prominent as this, you should have the right guidance and expertise for reference.
Gianni Fine Jewelers is a family owned jewelry company for over 40 years in the Central Valley. With certifications in diamonds, pearls and gemstone grading from the National Authority of Stone Grading, the Gemological Institute of America, along with decades of industry experience, you can feel confident in Gianni Fine Jewelers’ standard of quality and level of expertise.
As you begin the search for your perfect diamond, Gianni Fine Jewelers offers this guide to the 4 C’s of Diamonds:
Carat:
Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed in metric carats: one carat is equal to 0.2 grams; just as a dollar is divided into pennies, a carat is divided into 100 points. Two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the other member’s of the 4 C’s. Because even a fraction of a carat can make a considerable difference in cost, precision is crucial.
Cut:
Though extremely difficult to analyze or quantify, the cut of any diamond has three attributes: brilliance {the total light reflected from a diamond}, fire {the dispersion of light into the colors of spectrum}, and scintillation {the pattern of light and dark areas and the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved}
People often think of diamond cut as shape. Round is the shape used in most diamond jewelry. All other shapes are known as fancy shapes. Traditional fancy shapes include the marquise, pear, oval, rectangle and more.
As a value factor, though, cut refers to a diamond’s proportions, symmetry and polish.
Color:
Diamond color is all about what you can’t see. Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness – the less color, the higher the value. The exception to this is fancy color diamonds, such as pinks and blues, which lie outside of the color range displayed below.
GIA’s color grading scale for diamonds is the industry standard. The scale begins at D, representing colorless, and continues with the increasing presence of color to the letter Z, or light brown or yellow. Many of these distinctions are invisible to the untrained eye, but these slight differences can make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.
Clarity:
Because diamonds are formed deep within the earth, under extreme heat and pressure, they often contain unique birth marks, either internal {inclusions} or external {blemishes}. The perfect combination of heat and pressure that forms these precious stones truly makes each one a special gift from the Earth.
Diamond clarity refers to the absence of these inclusions and blemishes. Diamonds without these birthmarks are rare, and rarity affects the diamond’s value. The GIA International Diamond Grading System assigns clarity grades that range from flawless {FL} to diamonds with obvious inclusions {I3).
Clarity characteristics in a diamond of VVS-VS2 clarity are typically only visible with a very trained eye or through a loupe {10x magnification}.
Gianni Fine Jewelers has resources of the finest selection of diamonds and gemstones, spanning the world. In addition to your center stone, Gianni has beautiful engagement collections, customized in house, by Michael M, Michael B. and other fine craftsmen. Both engagement and wedding bands from their collections are handcrafted to meet the highest standards of excellence and artisanship. Diamonds used in these fine pieces, for both ladies and gentlemen, are graded G, VS or greater and are matched by the discerning eyes of expert diamond setters. This careful craftsmanship and commitment to quality leaves these diamonds reflecting each other’s facets, allowing each handcrafted piece to shine it’s brightest.
Together, with Gianni’s experienced jewelry consultants, you will find your perfect diamond and engagement ring at Gianni Fine Jewelers. Each element of cut, color, carat and clarity form an individual stone will represent the precious meaning of your individual love. Visit their location in the Central Valley on level one of The Palatine Building, on the NorthWest corner of Fresno & Alluvial.