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Jewelry Shipping & Storage
If you've ever sent jewelry somewhere, you know how tense it can be. However, there are a few simple precautions that can make the experience less stressful.
Package your jewelry securely in an appropriately sized box. When possible, use a box designed to hold the specific type of jewelry you are sending, since this will hold it securely. Otherwise, wrap each piece individually in cloth, not plastic, and fill empty spaces in the box to keep the jewelry from shifting too much.
Use a shipping method that allows tracking, such as UPS or FedEx, so you'll be able to know when it gets to its destination.
Buy insurance, especially for extremely valuable jewelry. It costs a little, but it can make the sting of lost jewelry a little easier to bear.
Jewelry is vulnerable while it's being worn, but it can also suffer damage if it isn't stored properly. Diamond is the hardest substance on Earth. So how does a diamond get scratched? By another diamond. Diamond jewelry can also scratch softer stones as well as gold and even platinum. For this reason, it’s important to store your jewelry so the pieces don't come in contact with each other.
Wrap individual pieces in tissue or cloth or put them in separate compartments in a jewelry box. Be extra careful with pearl jewelry since it is soft and scratches more easily than gems and metals.
Often jewelry comes in a special box, bag or wrap. Keep these; they are often the best means for storing or packaging the jewelry and will provide protection from damage and dirt.
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Jewelry Cleaning
A regular professional cleaning is a good idea. Not only does it keep your jewelry looking its best, it also ensures that a trained professional takes a look at it at least once a year, allowing for the earliest possible detection of wear or damage. Between professional cleanings, however, there are some things you can do to keep your jewelry clean.
Diamonds
For diamonds, use a soft-bristled non-metallic brush and a mild ammonia and water solution. Gently scrub away any grime, especially around the prongs or setting where buildup is likely. Even a clean looking diamond often has a thin layer of skin oil and will shine better after a cleaning. Avoid touching the diamond as much as possible.
Gemstones
Cleaning gemstones is easy. Simply soak the piece in a bowl of warm, soapy water for several minutes and then use a soft, non-metallic brush to remove any grime. If you use a jewelry cleanser, make sure it is non-abrasive. Don’t use harsh chemical cleaners, and don’t clean the item in the sink too often it ends up down the drainpipe. Also keep in mind that some gemstones may have been treated or enhanced by heating, oiling, irradiation or diffusion. Heated and irradiated stones generally don’t require special care when cleaning, but diffused stones could become lighter if scrubbed too hard. Also, the oil on an emerald can be stripped away by cleaning, making the emerald change appearance. If this happens, simply bring it to your jeweler for re-oiling.
Pearls
Pearls are beautiful. Unfortunately, the layers of nacre of which a pearl is made are very soft by jewelry standards and easily damaged. Since it is an organic compound, pearls also are easily dulled or even eaten away by chemicals and alcohol. Wash cultured pearls in very mild, soapy water and nothing else. It's also a good idea to bring your cultured pearls in for restringing every couple of years, especially if you wear them often.
Metals
For mountings, you can use rubbing alcohol to dissolve some of the stickier grime. However, don’t use alcohol on any kind of pearl jewelry. Soap and water and a soft brush will take care of most of your cleaning needs. Make sure the brush is VERY soft when used on metal, especially gold, which can be scratched relatively easily. Use a soft cloth that won’t leave fuzz or threads behind to dry and buff your jewelry once it's cleaned.
Ultrasonic Cleaners
Ultrasonic cleaners are machines that clean jewelry by bombarding them with sound waves. This vibration shakes off dirt, but the vibrations can also cause serious damage. The inclusions in gemstones, especially brittle stones like emeralds, can be greatly enlarged by the shaking, making the stones less attractive and even less valuable. Soft gems like pearls should never be put in an ultrasonic cleaner. Because of the risk, we recommend against using the ultrasonic cleaners now available to consumers unless your jeweler specifically says it won’t cause any damage.
R&D:
Wearing Jewelry
Caring for your jewelry starts with proper wear. That means knowing when to put your jewelry on – and when to take it off.
Put jewelry on after applying makeup, perfume and hairspray. Also, handle gems and pearls as little as possible, since skin oil can build up over time and dull their appearance.
Remove your jewelry if you're going to do any manual labor, including housework. A bracelet can be easily broken or bent if it catches on a hook. Gems, even diamonds, can chip or crack if they're knocked against a hard surface. Another danger comes from the harsh solvents used in cleaning, which are not good for any kind of jewelry and particularly harmful to pearls.
If you wear earrings, it's usually best to remove them while you're having your hair styled. That way the stylist's comb won't catch them. And, never wear pearl earrings or necklaces while you're having your hair colored. Some of the coloring agents contain alcohol and other chemicals that can mar the luster of the pearls.
If you're right-handed, think about wearing a bracelet or watch on your left wrist since you don't use it as much as your right. The opposite applies if you're left-handed.
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Birthstone Jewelry
Birthstone jewelry is very popular today and dates back to ancient history. Throughout the ages people have had the strong desire to adorn themselves with items not only of beauty, but also meaning and birthstone jewelry is just one example. These meanings can manifest themselves in any number of ways including personal meaning, belief that birthstones posses medicinal affects or several others. When searching for a piece of birthstone jewelry, it can be helpful and interesting to understand the history behind birthstone jewelry, the beliefs that some hold surrounding it and some of the most popular forms of this type of jewelry. Afterward, you'll be well positioned to enjoy your birthstone jewelry buying experience and find that perfect ring, necklace or bracelet.
The History of the Birthstone
Since ancient times, people from across the world have valued beautiful stones and minerals, incorporating them into their everyday lives. Civilizations including the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Persians, Incas and Aztecs strongly believed that these gemstones possess many attributes, curative powers and even the power to convey the soul to peace in the afterlife. While the value of gemstones is consistent across ancient history, the story of their integration as birthstones is less clear.
Although there is no definitive source for the assignment of gemstones as individual birthstones by the world's peoples, there are a number of legends and several lists that document differing groups of birthstones. They include:
Mythical Birthstones are said to come from the ancient Tibetan culture and date back thousands of years.
Biblical Birthstones were mentioned in the Bible's Old Testament suggesting that the twelve birthstones can be traced to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Ayurvedic Birthstones date back to ancient Indian culture and those who believed that specific stones have medicinal effects.
Zodiac Birthstones have evolved over thousands of years as astrologers have assigned gems of certain colors to the twelve signs of the zodiac to help people influence the planets in their favor.
Modern Birthstones did not exist until 1912 when the Jewelers of American developed a list of birthstones in an effort to settle on a standardized list of birthstones.
Despite the lack of clarity among the handful of different lists, it's clear that many people believe that some gemstones have special meaning and perhaps power. For the buyer of birthstone jewelry, it's certainly helpful to identify those qualities that he or she finds meaningful before making their purchase. For more information, here is a chart based on the list of modern birthstones:
Birthstone Chart
January Birthstone - Garnet February Birthstone - Amethyst March Birthstone - Aquamarine April Birthstone - Diamond
January February March April
Garnet Amethyst Aquamarine Diamond
May Birthstone - Emerald June Birthstone - Pearl July Birthstone - Ruby August Birthstone - Peridot
May June July August
Emerald Pearl Ruby Peridot
September Birthstone - Sapphire October Birthstone - Opal November Birthstone - Citrine Blue Topaz
September October November December
Sapphire Opal Citrine Blue Topaz
The Breastplate of Aaron: The First Piece of Birthstone Jewelry?
Whether you believe that birthstones possess meaning, beneficial qualities or not, birthstone jewelry is as ancient as the stones it uses. Like the history of birthstones, the origination of birthstone jewelry is vague, however one of the first descriptions of birthstone jewelry was seen in the Bible. The Breastplate of Aaron was said to be a religious garment worn by Aaron during religious ceremonies. The item was said to have twelve gemstones embedded within it, each representing one of the Israeli tribes. Regardless if this Old Testament story is true, presently gemstones of all sorts can be found in birthstone jewelry of all types with meanings as varied as the people that wear it.
Modern Birthstone Jewelry: Popular Styles
Since ancient times, people have continued to develop and wear many forms of birthstone jewelry. While there are many styles that have been popular over the years, here are the most popular types today:
Birthstone Necklace
Necklaces continue to be popular among the many forms of birthstone jewelry available today for a number of reasons. First, the color and brilliance of the gemstone creates an eye catching appearance that many desire. For those that believe that birthstones possess medicinal properties, it's said that wearing the stone close to the center of the body maximizes its positive effects. Finally, a necklace is a favorite clothing accent and can often be combined with other pieces of birthstone jewelry to create an attractive appearance.
Birthstone Ring
Rings are a popular form of birthstone jewelry because they are available in a wide range of styles, colors and finishes. Whether using gold, silver, platinum or some other metal, jewelers can get more creative with rings versus some other forms of birthstone jewelry, since the amounts of precious metal are small and less expensive as a result. Therefore an interesting and truly unique birthstone ring may be less expensive that comparable forms of jewelry.
Birthstone Bracelet
Bracelets continue to be a favorite form of birthstone jewelry, especially charm bracelets. Many enjoy giving the gift of a birthstone charm bracelet with the goal of giving the recipient additional gemstone charms during future occasions.
Although each of these items is popular by itself, matching birthstone jewelry sets are also extremely popular. Often two of the above components, the recipient can use the different pieces in a number of ways.
Best Occasions to Give Birthstone Jewelry
People wear birthstone jewelry not only because it's beautiful but also meaningful, so the best occasion to give a gift like this should be one that has meaning and substance. As a result, such a meaningful gift shouldn't be given to someone with whom you only have a casual relationship; so it's ideal to give a ring, necklace, or even a birthstone jewelry set to a spouse or significant other. Among the most significant occasions for the giving of birthstone jewelry include:
Birthday - Obvious or not, giving a gift of birthstone jewelry for one's birthday makes the greatest amount of sense.
Anniversary – Whether it's a wedding or some other significant milestone, an anniversary is a good opportunity to give a piece of birthstone jewelry.
Graduation – As a recognition of achievement and wish for future success, a birthstone ring or necklace is often among the most popular gifts.
Clearly, birthstone jewelry continues to be a favorite for a wide range of reasons. Not only is it attractive, but birthstone jewelry offers greater meaning as a form of personalized jewelry while offering the potential of positive mental and physical effects. If you're searching for a gift for someone special, consider Sleepal birthstone jewelry.
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Gemstone Jewelry Buying Guide
Found and appreciated around the world, colorful and sparkling cut gemstones share a universal appeal. The inherent allure of gemstone jewelry, with its myriad color and style combinations, is its ability to create, capture or reflect personal style. While most buyers likely choose gemstones for their beauty and to represent their feelings toward another, others choose gemstones for what they consider to be their therapeutic benefits, symbolism, or representation of wealth or position.
Gemstone Jewelry History
Featuring gemstones in jewelry dates back thousands and thousands of years. Gemstones and gemstone jewelry have a long and interesting history. The story of the "Breastplate of Aaron" chronicles gemstone use for tribal and spiritual purposes. Examples of gemstone use in ancient Christian, Egyptian, Roman, Greek and other civilizations is widespread – recognizing gemstones for their mystical properties or their representation of wealth, cultural beliefs or religious affiliations.
In modern times, the practice of assigning meaning to stones associated to astrology, more specifically as birthstone jewelry, was first seen in 15th century Poland. In the early 1900s the connection of specific stones to birth months was formalized in the United States. Though criticized by gemstone purists as a commercially motivated effort, people worldwide embrace the concept of birthstones and appreciate the ability to place deeper meaning in the gemstone jewelry they wear.
As you search for the right gemstone jewelry, the folklore, myths, characteristics, or properties associated with each gem may offer you or its wearer greater interest, meaning and enjoyment.
Precious vs. Semi-Precious Gemstones
The distinction between precious and semi-precious gemstones probably most reflects the perceived availability of the respective stones in historic times. Stemming from the ancient Greeks, the traditional differentiation of precious and semi-precious gemstones was rarity: diamond, ruby, sapphire and emerald were considered precious, while all other gemstones were considered semi-precious. In modern times, the terms in a commercial context are less likely, due to the significant range of quality, availability, size and cost of all gemstones in today's marketplace.
Lab-Created Synthetic and Simulated Gemstones
Resembling the beauty of more costly genuine gemstones, lab-created synthetic and simulated stones have been popular in jewelry for many hears. It is important to know, though, that the value of these imitations varies greatly, and their everlasting beauty depends on the kind of gem they are.
Lab-created synthetic gemstones are typically similar in composition to their naturally occurring mineral counterparts, but they are grown in a controlled laboratory environment to yield a similar result.
Simulated gemstones are look-alike substitutes for genuine gemstones. Because simulated stones are imitation and not made from the same minerals, they cost less and usually have no flaws, but they may not behave in the same way as their natural counterparts with respect to brilliance, sparkle, hardness or longevity.
Sleepal chooses high-quality laboratory-created gemstones for their affordability, beauty, excellent appearance and value. All synthetic and simulated stones will be clearly indicated in Sleepal product descriptions.
The Healing Properties & Effects of Gemstones and Gemstone Jewelry
While most may consider gemstone jewelry as attractive adornment, others believe gemstones possess special meaning and healing effects. Used in a form of therapy, gemstone energy medicine uses the unique properties inherent in each type of gemstone to help focus the body's own healing powers. Authorities on the subject state that to obtain the greatest benefit a gemstone must be of high quality and the proper shape, and that gemstone necklaces place the stone in a location that will benefit the entire body.
Some gemstones commonly integrated into jewelry that claim healing properties are:
Amethyst, known for its spiritual qualities and used for general healing and meditation. Sleeping with an amethyst beneath your pillow may promote intuitive dreams and inspired thought.
Diamond, considered a master healer. An extremely powerful stone, a diamond is thought to promote emotional strength and love.
Emerald, a calming stone, is said to improve intellect and memory. Thought to have wide-ranging positive properties - including relieving insomnia - emerald acts as emotional stabilizer to assist in the release of emotionally-based trauma.
Ruby, thought to increase energy and divine creativity. In addition, ruby is said to alleviate worry, lift spirits, and improve confidence, spiritual wisdom, and courage.
Sapphire, often sought for its calming effect on those prone to nervousness. Considered a stone of friendship and love, sapphire attracts good influences, and gives its wearer devotion, faith, imagination and peace of mind.
Gemstones are available in a wide range of varieties and are incorporated into many forms of jewelry including gemstone earrings, necklaces and rings.
Gemstone Jewelry Buying Tips
Know the "Quality" of the Gemstone
Identifying the quality level of the stones used within gemstone jewelry ensures that the gemstone rings, necklaces or other pieces you purchase retain their value. Colored gemstone valuation may be more subjective and can be more complicated than valuing diamonds. However, as with diamonds, starting with the Four Cs can be helpful:
Color – The color of the gemstone affects its value and how it shows in the jewelry. Generally clear, medium-tone, intense and saturated colors are the most preferred. Avoid stones with color that is too dark or muddled. The brighter and more vivid the color, the better.
Clarity – After color, gemstone clarity is the next most important factor. Clear, transparent gemstones with no visible flaws (inclusions) are the most valued. Clarity can be difficult to judge, but if flaws aren't visible in the face-up position, then they rarely matter. Some gemstone varieties, such as emerald and red tourmaline, are rarely seen without inclusions. It is important to consider clarity within the gemstone variety, and not against other gemstones.
Carat – Colored gemstones are sold by weight, not by size, and prices are calculated per carat. It's important to recognize that some gems are denser than others, so similarly sized stones of different varieties may differ greatly in cost. In addition, larger stones of some varieties can be quite rare and much more expensive – such as ruby, emerald, sapphire and tourmaline.
Cut – Cut is an important factor in determining a stone's beauty and perceived value when it is set in gemstone jewelry. A good cut is something that may not cost more but can add or subtract substantial beauty. A well-cut faceted gemstone evenly reflects light back across its surface area when held face up. Many different cut shapes are available, and it's important to consider cut in relation to the jewelry style you're considering. The best way to judge cut is to look at similar gemstones next to each other.
Think Ahead
When searching for the perfect piece of gemstone jewelry, buyers often place too much concentration on the item itself without considering how the jewelry will be worn. Properly pairing jewelry with attire, or for a particular use or occasion is critical in ensuring the jewelry will be worn and enjoyed. For example, if you're buying a gift and you choose an ornate gemstone necklace but the intended wearer is most often in a formal business environment, a more subtle bracelet or ring may be a better choice if you want her to wear and enjoy her jewelry often. Also consider the hardness of the gemstone, the style of setting and how the gemstones are set, how often the jewelry piece will be worn, and what the wearer really likes. The most beautiful gemstone jewelry may never be worn if your loved one does not like the look or color of her birthstone, for example.
Ask Questions
While there is a great deal of information available about gemstone jewelry in books and online, ask questions of your jeweler. Regardless of the amount of information gathered during the purchase process, there always seems to be one more fact that can impact your final decision. Asking questions will help you find the perfect piece of gemstone jewelry, sure to be appreciated for years to come.
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Diamond Jewelry Buyer's Guide
Diamond jewelry is among the most popular forms of jewelry. Commonly associated with romance, jewelry featuring diamonds is appreciated for its brilliance, style and meaning. Despite diamond jewelry's popularity and constant presence in our society, picking the right piece is not as simple as what many might assume. Confronted with the nuances of contemporary styles and budgeting, not to mention personal tastes, it's no wonder how diamond jewelry shoppers can feel overwhelmed when trying to find that perfect set of wedding bands, a ring or bracelet. As a result, Sleepal has prepared this Diamond Jewelry Buyers Guide to give you a sound understanding of what to look for when making a purchase. After all, buying diamond jewelry should be enjoyable!
To maximize the pleasure of your purchasing experience, it's helpful to develop a broad understanding of diamond jewelry, which includes a brief history and the basic questions you should answer before beginning your shopping trip. Afterward let's look more closely at diamonds themselves with a review on the 4 Cs of diamond quality and conclude with a diamond jewelry glossary that will educate you on all the terms you need to know when researching your purchase.
Diamond Jewelry: A Brief History
Diamond jewelry has charmed generations of people across the world for centuries. Traditionally only available to the rich and famous, diamond jewelry has become an aspirational item that is as important for the message it conveys as its brilliant appearance. The event that awakened the world's appreciation of diamond jewelry was the 15th century wedding of Maxmilla of Austria to Mary of Burgundy, where the groom gave the bride a brilliant diamond engagement ring . Until that time, the arduous processes of mining, cutting and polishing diamonds followed by crafting diamond jewelry was not actively pursued, but Maximilla started a trend that continues to grow in popularity today. Although owning diamond jewelry has historically made an inference about the class and social stature of the wearer, today it suggests emotional themes of commitment, durability and beauty commonly associated with romantic relationships. Understandably, when shopping for diamond jewelry, it's important to make a sound choice.
Selecting Diamond Jewelry: Basic Considerations
The first step in understanding how to buy diamond jewelry is the consideration of a handful of basic questions that should guide you through the purchase process and make your search much easier. Here are five basic questions that should help you narrow your search for diamond jewelry:
What Type?
Diamond jewelry is available in a variety of forms and it's important to understand the occasion to select an appropriate piece of jewelry. A diamond engagement ring, wedding band set or some other form of bridal jewelry is appropriate for engagements and weddings, but for little else. For those that appreciate the elegant look and brilliance of diamond jewelry, a pendant, a bracelet or a 3 stone diamond ring often makes an excellent gift. Lastly, consideration should be given to when and how the jewelry will be worn to ensure that any piece of diamond jewelry can be worn in the way in which it was intended.
What's My Budget?
Selecting a budget for buying diamond jewelry is deceptively easy; simply evaluate your finances before starting the shopping process to determine the amount that can be comfortably spent. Many allow substantial purchases like diamond wedding bands to cloud their judgment, which creates regret. Frequently buyers start their search without a budget, which forces them into making a difficult decision when confronted with a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry that captures their imagination. Having an established budget in mind before your first shopping trip will prevent anxiety and make the entire experience more enjoyable.
What Style?
Diamond jewelry can be found in an almost unlimited number of styles, so after determining your desired jewelry type and budget, it's wise to develop a solid understanding of the styles you prefer. Clearly, this process is much less complicated for those that are shopping for themselves, but for those buying diamond jewelry as a gift it can be much more difficult. Here are a few questions to consider that should help uncover jewelry preferences:
What Types of Diamond Jewelry Do They Currently Have?
What Would Look Good With Their Current Wardrobe?
Are There Friends and Family Who Can Offer Suggestions?
Arming yourself with details about the preferred style and any related characteristics will give you necessary information to save time and effort when looking for the perfect piece of diamond jewelry.
What Size?
Although most commonly associated with the purchase of engagement rings jewelry size is important regardless of the type. In fact, there is no form of jewelry that shouldn't be considered for size. Rings require an exact measurement and should be taken earlier in the day before any swelling or irritation of the fingers. Bracelets require obtaining the diameter of the wrist and adding ¾' to 1'. Sizing necklaces can be much more problematic; there are a variety of styles not to mention personal preferences, so when in doubt confirm that sizing can be changed if necessary. Lastly earring length should be considered, especially when considering longer types like chandeliers and hoops.
Diamond Quality & The Four Cs
The key to assessing the value of diamond jewelry is understanding the principles of diamond valuation itself. Commonly known as the 4 Cs, the grading scale focuses on the comparison of a diamond to a comparably sized perfect example.
Diamond Color – Each diamond is graded using a scale created by one of the leading gemological industry organizations. An ideal stone is colorless, however most stones posses some form of color. Learn more here: About Diamond Color
Diamond Carat – The size of the diamond can dramatically affect the value of the stone and the diamond jewelry in which it's used. Generally the larger the stone the greater value, however other factors also affect value too. Learn more here: About Diamond Carats
Diamond Clarity – The presence of imperfections, or a stone's clarity, is a large component of assessing the value of diamonds. While diamond jewelry buyers can see imperfections that appear as small cracks or miniscule flecks of black carbon, these blemishes often can't be seen with the naked eye. About Diamond Clarity
Diamond Cut - A diamond cut is a style or design guide used when shaping a diamond for polishing and doesn't refer to shape. Normally most consider the actual shape and appearance of the stone itself, rather than its ability to shine, but the Cut refers to the symmetry, proportioning and polish of a diamond and impacts its brilliance; this means if it is cut poorly, it will be less luminous. Learn More: About Diamond Cut
Diamond Glossary
American Gem Society (AGS): An educational organization for gemological studies. The AGS Labs were created primarily to develop and encourage universally-authorized criteria for grading cut.
Blemish: A clarity attribute that transpires on the surface of a diamond. Though some blemishes are natural to the original rough diamond, most are the result of the environment the diamond has experienced since it was unearthed.
Brilliance: The brightness that appears to come from the heart of a diamond. With a level that is unique to diamonds, other gemstones posses lesser levels and don't have the ability to equal the extent of diamond's light-reflecting power. Brilliance is produced primarily when light makes its way into the table, reaches the pavilion facets, and is then reflected back out through the table, where the light is most visible to your eye.
Brilliant Cut: One of three variations of faceting layouts. In this type of arrangement, all facets appear to radiate out from the center of the diamond toward its external edges. It's called a brilliant cut because it is designed to maximize brilliance. There are a number of brilliant cuts like round diamonds, ovals, radiants, princesses and more.
Carat: The unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. One carat equals 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams originating from the use of carob beans to measure the weight of gemstones.
Carbon Spots: This term refers to imperfections called included crystals that have a dark appearance, rather than a white or transparent appearance, when viewed under a microscope.
Cleavage: The propensity of crystalline minerals, such as diamond, to split in one or more directions either along or parallel to certain planes, when struck by a blow. Cleavage is one of the two methods used by diamond cutters to split rough diamond crystals in preparation for the cutting process (sawing is the other method).
Clouds: A grouping of a number of tiny inclusions that is too small to be distinguishable from one another, even under magnification. Not visible by the naked eye, they look like a soft, transparent cloud under a microscope.
Color Grading: A system of grading diamond color based on their colorlessness (for white diamonds) or their spectral hue, depth of color and purity of color (for fancy color diamonds).
Crown: The upper portion of a cut gemstone, which lies above the girdle. The crown consists of a table facet surrounded by either star and bezel facets (on round diamonds and most fancy cuts) or concentric rows of facets reaching from the table to the girdle (on emerald cuts and other step cuts).
Crown angle: The angle at which a diamond's bezel facets intersect the girdle plane. This gentle slope of the facets that surround the table is what helps to create the dispersion, or fire, in a diamond.
Culet: A very small flat facet that diamond cutters commonly add at the base of a diamond's pavilion. Its purpose is to protect the tip of the pavilion from being chipped or damaged.
Cut: This refers both to the proportions and finish of a polished diamond. As one of "the Four Cs" of diamond value, it is the only man-made contribution to a diamond's beauty and value.
Depth: The height of a diamond from the culet to the table.
Depth Percentage: On a diamond grading report, you will see two different measurements of the diamond's depth-the actual depth in millimeters (under "measurements" at the top of the report) and the depth percentage, which expresses how deep the diamond is in comparison to how wide it is. This depth percentage of a diamond is important to its brilliance and value; where that depth lies can be equally important.
Diamond: A crystal made up of 99.95% pure carbon atoms arranged in an isometric crystal arrangement.
Diamond Cutting: The method by which a rough diamond that has been mined from the earth and shaped into a finished, faceted stone.
Diamond Gauge: An instrument used to measure a diamond's length, width and depth in millimeters.
Dispersion: Also known as "fire" it the manner in which the light is broken and reflected. Components of light are broken into spectral colors (for example, red, blue and green and appears as a play of small flashes of color across the surface of the diamond as it is tilted.
Emerald Cut: A square or rectangular-shaped diamond with cut corners.
Eye-Clean: A jewelry industry term to describe a diamond with no blemishes or inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
Facet: The smooth, flat faces on the surface of a diamond. They allow light to both enter a diamond and reflect off its surface at different angles, creating the wonderful play of color and light for which diamonds are famous.
Fancy Shape: Any diamond shape other than round.
Feathers: These are small fractures in a diamond.
Finish: This term refers to the qualities imparted to a diamond by the skill of the diamond cutter. The term "finish" covers every aspect of a diamond's appearance that is not a result of the diamond's inherent nature when it comes out of the ground.
Fluorescence: An effect that is seen in some gem-quality diamonds when they are exposed to long-wave ultraviolet light.
Gemological Institute of America (GIA): Founded in 1931 by Roger Shipley, this non- profit organization upholds the standards for grading diamonds and is one of the most-respected and well-regarded gemological laboratories in the world.
Girdle: The outer edge, or outline, of the diamond's shape.
Heart-shape Cut: A type of fancy diamond cut, which is cut to resemble the popular Valentine's Day shape.
Inclusion: A clarity characteristic found within a diamond. Most inclusions were created when the gem first formed in the earth.
Laser-Drill Holes: One of the few man-made inclusions that can occur inside a diamond. An intentionally created inclusion can actually raise its clarity grade.
Length-to-Width Ratio: A comparison of how much longer a diamond is than it is wide. It is used to analyze the outline of fancy shapes only; it is never applied to round diamonds.
Marquise Cut: A type of fancy shape diamond which is elongated with points at each end.
Naturals: Small parts of the original rough diamond's surface which are left on the polished diamond, frequently on or near the girdle.
Oval Cut: A type of fancy shape diamond which is essentially an elongated version of a round cut.
Pavé: A style of jewelry setting in which numerous small diamonds are mounted close together to create a glistening diamond crust that covers the whole piece of jewelry and obscures the metal under it.
Pavilion: The lower portion of the diamond, below the girdle.
Pear Cut: A type of fancy shape diamond that resembles a teardrop.
Point: A unit of measurement used to describe the weight of diamonds. One point is equivalent to one-hundredth of a carat.
Polish: Refers to any blemishes on the surface of the diamond which are not significant enough to affect the clarity grade of the diamond.
Princess Cut: A type of brilliant cut fancy shape that can be either square or rectangular.
Radiant Cut: A type of brilliant cut fancy shape that resembles a square or rectangle with the corners cut off.
Ratio: A comparison of how much longer a diamond is than it is wide.
Semi-Mount: A jewelry setting that has the side stones already mounted, but which contains an empty set of prongs which are intended to mount a diamond center stone that the customer selects separately.
Single-Cut: A very small round diamond with only 16 or 17 facets, instead of the normal 57 or 58 facets of a full cut round brilliant.
Step Cut: One of three styles of faceting arrangements.
Symmetry: Refers to variations in a diamond's symmetry. The small variations can include misalignment of facets or facets that fail to point correctly to the girdle (this misalignment is completely undetectable to the naked eye). Symmetry is regarded as a quality indicator of a diamond's cut; it is graded as Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or Poor.
Table: The flat facet on the top of the diamond. It is the largest facet on a cut diamond.
Table percentage: The value which represents how the diameter of the table facet compares to the diameter of the entire diamond.
Trilliant Cut: A type of brilliant fancy shape that is triangular.
