Buying diamonds and gemstones is an exciting but sometimes overwhelming experience. Whether you’re choosing a sparkling engagement ring, a sentimental birthstone gift, or simply adding to your jewelry collection, knowing what makes a quality gem is necessary to make a confident purchase.

Let’s take a closer look at important factors to consider when buying diamonds, as well as introduce you to some of the most popular colored gemstones.

The 4Cs of Diamonds
When shopping for diamonds, jewelers use a universal grading system known as the 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. These four factors determine a diamond’s overall beauty, quality, and value. When balancing the 4Cs, prioritize cut first for the most sparkle, then adjust clarity, color, and carat based on your budget.

The Cut
The cut refers to how well the diamond has been shaped and faceted to reflect light. A well-cut diamond sparkles brilliantly because it allows light to travel through it and reflect back to the eye. Excellent and ideal cuts maximize brilliance and fire, while poorly cut diamonds may look dull, even if they have high color and clarity grades.
Popular diamond cuts include round, princess, oval, cushion, and emerald shapes.

The Color
For white diamonds, the ideal stone is completely colorless. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color from D (colorless) to Z (noticeable yellow or brown tint). However, fancy-colored diamonds, like pink, blue, and yellow, are graded differently and can be highly desirable.

The Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence of internal flaws (inclusions) or surface blemishes. The fewer the imperfections, the rarer and more valuable the diamond. Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds have no visible inclusions. Very Slightly Included (VS) and Slightly Included (SI) diamonds have minor flaws that are often invisible to the naked eye but can be seen under magnification. Included (I) diamonds have noticeable flaws that may impact brilliance.

The Carat
Carat refers to a diamond’s weight, not necessarily its size. One carat equals 0.2 grams. While bigger diamonds are eye-catching, a well-cut smaller diamond can sometimes appear more brilliant than a larger, poorly cut one. Common sizes for engagement rings range from 0.5 to 2 carats, and larger diamonds increase in price exponentially because of their rarity.

Exploring Popular Gemstones
While diamonds are a classic choice, colored gemstones are gaining popularity for their unique beauty and symbolism. Here are three of the most sought-after gemstones:

More Than Just Blue with Sapphires
Sapphires are best known for their deep blue color, but they come in a variety of shades, including pink, yellow, and even green. These gemstones rank 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them highly durable for everyday wear. Blue sapphires symbolize loyalty and wisdom, while padparadscha sapphires (a rare pink-orange) are highly prized.

Rubies, the Stone of Passion
Rubies, a variety of the mineral corundum, are prized for their rich red color. The most valuable rubies have a deep, vivid red known as “pigeon’s blood.” They rank 9 on the Mohs scale, making them just as durable as sapphires. Rubies symbolize love, courage, and strength, and are often associated with royalty and prosperity.

Green and Gorgeous Emeralds
Emeralds, a variety of beryl, are famous for their lush green hues. Unlike sapphires and rubies, emeralds are softer (7.5-8 on the Mohs scale) and often contain natural inclusions. Emeralds represent growth, renewal, and prosperity.

At Isy’s Fine Jewelry, we specialize in finding the perfect piece for you, be it diamond or otherwise. Contact us today!