Frequently Asked Diamond Questions
- What is the SKU Number?
- What is Shape?
- What is Cut?
- What is Clarity?
- What is Color?
- What is a Diamond's Weight?
- What is a Diamond's Certificate?
The SKU number is a unique number given to a diamond or any other product in our store. This number provides details to the item's cost, characteristics, and availability. When you call or stop in, give our sales staff that number.
The shape of the diamond refers to its visual, outline appearance. The term shape is often confused with the technical term cut. We are happy to explain the properties of the various shapes in further detail when you call or stop in.
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| Marquise | Round/Brilliant | Oval | Heart |
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| Emerald | Pear | Radiant | Princess |
Within any shape category there are various "cut qualities." The precision of the cut determines the diamond's fire, brilliance, and ultimate beauty. All diamond shapes have optimal cut parameters that they try to approach. How close the actual cut of any diamond is to those optimal parameters has an effect on its value.
Practically all diamonds contain naturally occurring internal characteristics called inclusions (crystals, feathers, etc...). The size, nature, location and amount of inclusions determine a diamond's clarity grade and affect its cost, though not always its beauty. The GIA clarity grading scale appears below:
- FL-IF (Flawless, Internally Flawless) - No inclusions visible (by an expert) under 10x magnification.
- VVS1 - VVS2 (Very, Very Slight inclusions) - Minute, extremely difficult to find under 10x magnification.
- VS1 - VS2 (Very Slight inclusions)- Minor, difficult to find under 10x magnification.
- SI1 - SI2 (Small Inclusions) - Noticeable, relatively easy to find under 10x magnification.
- I1 - I2 - I3 (Imperfect ) - Obvious eye-visible inclusions under 10x magnification, just visible to the naked eye.
Although most diamonds when seen alone appear to be colorless to the untrained eye, there are actually small but distinct differences in shade. Color in diamonds occurs when traces of other elements mix with carbon during the diamond's formation, resulting in slight tones of yellow or brown. As these tones become more easily apparent, the rarity and the cost decrease. Diamonds with no traces of body color are extremely rare.
The GIA color grading scale ranges from "D" (colorless) to "Z" (strong color).
| D - E - F | G - H - I- J | K - L - M | N - O - P - Q - R | S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z |
| Colorless | Near Colorless | Faint Yellow | Very Light Yellow | Light Yellow |
Diamonds are measured in units called carats, as are all precious gems. One carat equals one-fifth of a gram or 1/142 of an ounce. One carat is divided into 100 points. Carat weight is the simplest factor used to determine the value of a diamond. As diamonds increase in value, their price per carat usually increases geometrically, not arithmetically. Thus, a two-carat diamond will usually be more than double the price of a one-carat diamond of the same quality.
What is a Diamond's Certificate?
A diamond certificate documents the carat weight, clarity, color, and cut aspects of a diamond. Diamond certificates are issued by various gem laboratories that employ G.I.A. Graduate Gemologists. While still basically an "opinion" as to a diamond's grade, most qualified laboratories are accurate, and provide the diamond buyer an objective analysis. Diamond grading certificates are not appraisals that establish value or selling prices. They just certify the grade. Click Here for more Information on Gem Labs
The most widely used diamond grading laboratories are:
- A.G.A.=Accredited
Gem Appraisers
- E.G.L.=European Gemological Laboratory
- G.I.A. =Gemological
Institute of America Gem Trade Laboratory
- Dondero Diamonds and Fine Jewelry operates their own Gem Laboratory which is staffed by Kevin Kleiner and Ken Dondero, both G.I.A. Certified for Diamonds. Although our lab reviews all diamonds to assure that the lab certificates match our standards, we feel it is in our customers' best interest to have an objective evaluation of the diamond as well, since our selling price is based on these grades.