When light enters a diamond, it is reflected and refracted outward. The more light that is reflected throughout the diamond, the more it is worth. If there is anything disrupting the flow of light, reflection will be lost.

Based on clarity alone, the price of a one carat round-cut diamond can vary by thousands of dollars. On one end of the scale, some Diamonds could display a fiery brilliance with extremely bright reflections while on the opposite end others exhibit a dull, cloudy appearance.

Cut and Shape
Cut and Shape are sometimes confused, but are not quite the same. The cut of a diamond is very important and refers to the number of facets, their size and angles. Precise mathematically determined proportions are used to maximize the stones ability to refract light and make it scintillate (sparkle). Poorly cut stones will appear dull and glassy. Each shape has a different formula for optimal sparkle. For example, round stones are typically Brilliant-cut with 58 ideally placed facets. Cut also refers to the quality of the surface polish and luster. At buyDazzle we do not compromise on cut. We can excuse Mother Nature her imperfections, but not a skilled diamond cutter!

Shape refers to the outer contour of the stone. Usually the shape is determined by the rough material, however, a diamond cutter will try to use as much of the piece as possible. The following chart lists some of the different shapes available:

How do I know which one is right for me?
In many respects, buying a diamond is no different than making any other purchase. It ultimately is determined by your budget. However, before completing your purchase consider this; how many times has someone admired your jewelry and then pulled out a magnifying loupe or a scale and asked “May I appraise your ring?” It just doesn’t happen. At buyDazzle, we are meticulous about choosing diamonds that face up well and look great to the unaided eye. A budget conscious shopper may want to consider the following guidelines:

Choosing a Cut: Focus on selecting a shape that appeals to you. The setting should suit the stone and protect sharp or vulnerable corners. You may want to consider the type of activity or occasion you expect to wear your jewelry. Rings and bracelets that are more exposed and in frequent use may be safer with rounded stones. Pointed stones can be protected with channel or bezel settings. Earrings, pendants, brooches or special occasion pieces can generally allow for more flexible choices.

Choosing a size: Most people tend to choose ‘round’ sizes such as 1 carat, ½ carat etc. Carat points are a very minute unit of weight, so a slightly lighter stone might not look noticeably smaller, but could lower the price. Some settings can make a diamond appear larger, particularly in men’s jewelry. In a multiple stone piece it is best to consider the overall appeal rather than the weight. Two half carat diamonds are not equally valuable as a single whole carat stone.

Choosing a color: A color grade can greatly affect the price of a diamond, but is most noticeable in unset stones viewed side by side under special, bright lights. Our experienced sorters are careful to match stones perfectly for each piece. Our expert jewelers choose the right metal for each diamond. Stones with a hint of yellow will look best in yellow or rose gold; slightly grey stones will appear bright in white gold or other white metals. Compromising a color grade does not necessarily compromise beauty when properly set.

Choosing a clarity division: As with color, most diamond inclusions are only visible to trained professionals under magnification. Only the lowest grade diamonds may appear to be noticeably peppered or cloudy and are used mainly for promotional type jewelry or the tinier accent stones. Very clean stones are rare and costly. At buyDazzle we choose the best looking diamonds to accommodate a range of budgets. We are confident that we are offering superior value and quality.