Color and Clarity

Color

Although most gem-quality diamonds when seen alone appear to be colorless to the untrained eye, there are subtle differences in shade. Color in diamonds results from traces of other elements which mixed with the carbon during formation. Diamonds with no traces of body color are extremely rare. To determine a diamond's true color, the diamond is viewed from the side under balanced white light. It is compared to diamonds in a "Master Set" whose colors have been predetermined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Our diamonds are color graded in an accredited gem laboratory using a special diamond light developed for color grading. A color grade is then assigned according to the diamond's deviation from a truly colorless diamond.

Clarity

Nature has identified each diamond by natural "inclusions": crystals, feathers, lines, etc. These traits developed in the diamond during its formation.

Diamond clarity is determined by the absence of these inclusions. The fewer the inclusions, the rarer the diamond and the greater the value. Flawless and internally flawless diamonds are exceedingly rare. The term "flawless" is a highly restricted one. Under Federal Trade Commission rules a diamond can only be flawless when no internal or external imperfections are visible to a professional eye under 10 power magnification using a binocular microscope in good light. While inclusions may not affect the beauty of a diamond, they do affect its value and price.

All of our diamonds are graded for clarity in an accredited gem laboratory, or by an internationally recognized gemological institute.