Diamonds

DIAMONDS

Cut

Diamonds are cut into a number of shapes, depending on the nature of the
rough stone. The most popular are round, marquise, oval, pear, heart, emerald
and princess, and the choice is largely a matter of personal preference.
Whatever the shape, however, a well-cut diamond is the work of a master
diamond cutter. When cut to propper proportions, the diamond is better able
to handle light, creating more scintillation, more sparkle.

Ultimately - the bottom line in a diamond is brilliance or fire. Customers tell me
on a regular basis that people come from across the room to see their diamond.
A quality diamond will scintillate in the faintest candelight. At Sparkles and Gold
each and ever diamond is hand selected by Jerry Billingsley for maximum
brilliance and fire. You will see the difference!

COLOR

Diamonds are found with a range of colors, from faint yellow or brown through
to the very rare pinks, blues,greems and other colors known as "fancies."
However, the best color for a diamond is no color. It is a totally colorless
diamond that allows white light to pass effertlessly through it and be dispersed
as rainbows of color. And to give a woman such a diamond is to show your
true colors, as well.

Color grading scale from totally colorless to light yellow. The differences
between one grade and another are very subtle, as can be seen by the number
of grades within any one category.

CLARITY

Practically all diamonds contain naturally occurrinf internal characteristics
called inclusions. The size, nature, location and number of inclusions
determine a diamond's clarity grade and affect it's cost. The fewer and smaller
the inclusions are, the less likely it is that they will interfere with the passage of
light through the diamond, and the more beautiful the diamond will be. A diamond
that is free of both inclusions and surface blemishes is very rare and therefore
more valuable. So, the clearer the diamond the clearer your choice.

CARAT - WEIGHT

The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. One carat is devided into 100
parts called "Points," 1 ct. = 100: 1/2 ct. =0.50. The value of two diamonds of
the same weight can vary greatly depending on the color, clarity and the cut.
The value of a diamond can vary as much 40% in the cutting alone.

A fine quality diamond is a little extra weight she'd be pleased to put on.

Example 1:
The Ideal Cut Diamond

From one piece of rough a
diamond has been cut to Ideal
proportions, retaining a weight of
one carat. The light is totaly
reflected through the top.

Example 2:
An Inferior Cut Diamond

The second piece of rough has
been " spread" in its cutting,
resulting in a diamond weighing
approximately 1.40 ct. Note: The
girdleis thicker, the table is much
larger, the angles are exaggerated
all at the expense of that diamond's
ability to reflect light.

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