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DIAMONDS

What is the most important of the 4 C's?

Diamond cut Cut is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the proper balance of proportions. If the facets are lined up correctly and at the proper angles, light will enter the diamond and be dispersed. If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow it will leak light and not be as brilliant. is the most important of the four C’s. When purchasing a diamond, it is wise to devote the majority of your budget to the best cut you can afford since cut directly influences a diamond’s appearance. An ‘excellent’ otherwise known as an ‘ideal’ cut Ideal cut also referred to as an ‘Excellent’ cut. An Ideal Cut is a cut grading assigned to a diamond that is expertly proportioned to reflect the most light possible. is what gives the diamond its fiery brilliance Brilliance refers to how well the diamond reflects light. no matter how big or how small the diamond is. A well-cut diamond can also mask less desirable qualities such as a lower color Color is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the absence of color in a diamond. D is the highest grading a colorless diamond can receive and Z is the lowest. Diamonds found in jewelry are usually not below a J or K color grading. Fancy colored diamonds are assigned a score of Z+ meaning they fall outside of the colorless scale. or clarity Clarity is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the lack of imperfections in the stone. It is graded on a scale that goes from F (flawless)-IF-VVSI-VSI-SI-I with several sublevels. grading.

Can a diamond break or chip?

Even though a diamond is one of the hardest naturally occurring substances on earth, it can still be broken. If struck hard enough from the right angle, a diamond can even shatter. It is important when storing your diamonds to keep them away from other diamonds in your jewelry box so that they won’t scratch each other.

The part of the diamond that is most likely to chip is the girdle The girdle refers to the widest part of the diamond where the crown meets the pavilion. If a diamond was the equivalent of the earth, the girdle would be the equator. (the widest part of the diamond where the crown The diamond crown refers to the collective facets above the girdle of the diamond. meets the pavilion The diamond pavilion refers to the collective facets below the girdle of the diamond ) and the culet. For this reason it is important to avoid diamonds with thin girdles. As for the culet The diamond culet refers to point at the very bottom. In some cases, the tip is polished off to form another facet. This is done to prevent accidental chipping. (the point at the bottom of the diamond), not all diamonds have a culet but those that do are so that it will not chip off.

How can you tell if a diamond is real?

One way to tell if a diamond is real is to take the diamond to a jeweler. The jeweler will magnify the diamond in question and perform a few harmless tests on the diamond to see how it performs. The absolute best way, however, is to send the diamond to the GIA The Gemological Institute of America is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. They are responsible for the establishment of the four C’s and issue diamond and gemstone certification based on unbiased analysis of gemstone quality. so they can conduct a proper and unbiased test. They will also be able to certify the diamond for you. If your diamond is already certified, you can verify the number on the report with the GIA or whichever laboratory certified the stone and make sure that your certificate and diamond are authentic. Learn how to verify a GIA report

Is diamond fluorescence good or bad?

Diamond fluorescence Fluorescence is a characteristic that makes some diamonds appear to change color when they are exposed to ultraviolet light. affects diamonds so subtly that it is widely ignored. At Ziva we recommend choosing a diamond without fluorescence; however, out of all of the undesirable diamond characteristics, diamond fluorescence is one of the least important. Some of the most beautiful diamonds in the world are fluorescent including the Blue Hope Diamond that fluoresces an eerie red. We recommend devoting the majority of your budget to a diamond that has an excellent cut Cut is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the proper balance of proportions. If the facets are lined up correctly and at the proper angles, light will enter the diamond and be dispersed. If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow it will leak light and not be as brilliant. and color.

There is one exception when it comes to fluorescence. In cases where the diamond has a lower color grading, a strong blue fluorescence could counteract the subtle yellow tones. It is highly recommended that you examine a diamond in different kinds of light to see if the diamond exhibits any obvious color changes no matter what the fluorescence or color of the diamond.

DIAMOND CARAT

I have two stones that have the same carat weight, but one looks bigger. Why is that?

Carat Carat is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the weight of the diamond. It is the equivalent to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. It is different from karat which refers to the percentage of gold in an alloy. weight is a measure of weight, not size. If one of the diamonds is cut Cut is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the proper balance of proportions. If the facets are lined up correctly and at the proper angles, light will enter the diamond and be dispersed. If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow it will leak light and not be as brilliant. poorly, and the diamond appears ‘chubby’ some of the carat weight could be hidden. On the other hand, if one of the stones was cut shallow to stretch the surface area of the stone, then it could appear larger. Having a stone that is too deep or too shallow is undesirable because it will not reflect light properly, making the stone appear smaller and dull.

In the case of gemstones, some gemstones are heavier than others. Rubies A Ruby has the same durability as a sapphire and is a reliable gemstone. It is available in a range of red hues, from purplish and bluish red to orange red. for instance, are denser than diamonds, so a 1 carat ruby will be smaller than a 1 carat diamond.

DIAMOND COLOR

How is diamond color rated?

The GIA The Gemological Institute of America is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. They are responsible for the establishment of the four C’s and issue diamond and gemstone certification based on unbiased analysis of gemstone quality. diamond grading system is is the industry standard and grades diamonds on a scale of D-Z. D diamonds are considered colorless and are the most sought after. The more yellowish or brown tint the diamond has, the closer to Z it is on the scale.

d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
o
p
q
r
s-t

Exceptional White Rare White White Slightly Tintedwhite Tinted
White Tinted Color

What is the lowest color grading I can get away with?

For an engagement ring, anything above an H is still considered beautiful and a near colorless diamond. If you want a true colorless diamond and a D is out of your budget, you can go down to an F and there would only be a subtle difference. For a bracelet, you can get away with a J-K color of diamond.

When choosing a diamond for a center stone, it is important to know that round brilliant diamonds hide lower color Color is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the absence of color in a diamond. D is the highest grading a colorless diamond can receive and Z is the lowest. Diamonds found in jewelry are usually not below a J or K color grading. Fancy colored diamonds are assigned a score of Z+ meaning they fall outside of the colorless scale. gradings the best. Fancy shaped diamonds such as marquis and even princess cut diamonds reveal lower color gradings in their corners. Larger diamonds over 2 carats Carat is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the weight of the diamond. It is the equivalent to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. It is different from karat which refers to the percentage of gold in an alloy. tend to show more color as well. Setting a diamond with a lower color grading in yellow gold helps to mask the yellow tones.

What is a fancy diamond?

Fancy diamonds Fancy diamonds or colored diamonds are given a color grade of Z+. Canary diamonds, red diamonds, blue diamonds, pink diamonds and green diamonds among others are considered fancy diamond colors. or colored diamonds are given a grade of Z+. Canary diamondsA yellow natural color diamond , red diamonds, blue diamonds, pink diamonds and green diamonds are considered fancy diamond colors.

What makes colored diamonds so special and valuable?

Natural colored diamonds are special because of their rarity. Consider this… Out of every 10,000 diamonds discovered, only one is a natural color diamond. 85% of found diamonds do not meet quality standards and therefore, are not set in jewelry. Only one diamond in a million weighs one caratCarat is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the weight of the diamond. It is the equivalent to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. It is different from karat which refers to the percentage of gold in an alloy. or more.

What gives fancy diamonds their color?

Well, that depends on what color the fancy colored diamondFancy diamonds or colored diamonds are given a color grade of Z+. Canary diamonds, red diamonds, blue diamonds, pink diamonds and green diamonds among others are considered fancy diamond colors. is. If it is a yellow diamond, the presence of nitrogen during diamond formation gives the stone a bright yellow hue. An abundance of boron or hydrogen can make a blue diamond. Pink diamonds and red diamonds are attributed to the special absorption and reflection of light determined by the diamond’s crystal structure.

DIAMOND CLARITY

What is diamond clarity?

Clarity in a diamond refers to the absence of inclusionsAn inclusion is another name for a diamond flaw. The more included a diamond is, the lower clarity rating the diamond will receive. and blemishesA blemish is a flaw on the surface of the diamond. in a diamond. Diamond clarity is graded on a scale from FL (flawless) to I3 (included 3)

What is an inclusion?

When it comes to diamonds, an inclusion is another name for a flaw. There are several kinds of inclusions, including carbon spots, air bubbles, internal cracks (feather cracks) and white points.

Are inclusions bad?

InclusionsAn inclusion is another name for a diamond flaw. The more included a diamond is, the lower clarity rating the diamond will receive. are undesirable, but they aren't necessarily all bad. For one, in diamonds rated above SI3, inclusions are microscopic and do not affect a diamond’s appearance. Two, since every diamond has different inclusions in different places, inclusions serve as the diamond's fingerprint. This can come in handy if the diamond is ever stolen because it allows the rightful owner to match the diamonds documentation with the diamond. The diamond's inclusions should directly correspond to the inclusions mentioned in the diamond's certification. If they don't, chances are the documentation is fraudulent or belongs to a different diamond.

How common are inclusions?

Flawless diamonds are extremely rare and are very expensive. De-Beers estimates that only one in seven million diamonds recovered will produce a one carat D Flawless polished stone.

InclusionsAn inclusion is another name for a diamond flaw. The more included a diamond is, the lower clarity rating the diamond will receive. are naturally occurring characteristic and just because a diamond has inclusions doesn’t mean the it’s worthless. Most diamonds used in jewelry fall into the VS (very slightly included) or SI (slightly included) categories. To see most inclusions you would need to magnify the diamond.

How can you tell how many inclusions a diamond has?

A diamond’s certification should give you all the information you need which is why it is so important to buy diamonds from a reputable jeweler with certified diamonds. It will tell you how many inclusionsAn inclusion is another name for a diamond flaw. The more included a diamond is, the lower clarity rating the diamond will receive. a diamond and tell you the diamond’s clarityClarity is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the lack of imperfections in the stone. It is graded on a scale that goes from F (flawless)-IF-VVSI-VSI-SI-I with several sublevels. rating. If your diamond is not certified, you can submit it to the GIAThe Gemological Institute of America is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. They are responsible for the establishment of the four C’s and issue diamond and gemstone certification based on unbiased analysis of gemstone quality. and for a fee, they will tell you more about the diamond.

How is diamond clarity rated?

Diamond clarityClarity is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the lack of imperfections in the stone. It is graded on a scale that goes from F (flawless)-IF-VVSI-VSI-SI-I with several sublevels. is rated in a scale of FL to I3. Below is a list of diamond clarity ratings. The closer you are to the top of the list, the better the clarity. The closer you get to I3, the worse.

Clarity Rating

FLFlawless
ifInternally Flawless
vvs1Very Very Slightly Included 1
vvs2Very Very Slightly Included 2
vs1Very Slightly Included 1
vs2Very Slightly Included 2
si1Slightly Included 1
si2Slightly Included 2
i1Included 1
i2Included 2
i3Included 3

Does clarity grade affect a diamond's sparkle and brilliance?

In quality diamonds rated above SI2SI means ‘slightly included’ and refers to the diamond’s clarity rating. A diamond inclusion is another name for a diamond flaw. SI is one level below VS and two levels below VVS. (when inclusionsAn inclusion is another name for a diamond flaw. The more included a diamond is, the lower clarity rating the diamond will receive. are microscopic), a diamonds clarityClarity is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the lack of imperfections in the stone. It is graded on a scale that goes from F (flawless)-IF-VVSI-VSI-SI-I with several sublevels. grade should not affect fireFire refers to the refraction of colors that a diamond produces. Diamonds of higher quality have the ability to refract more colors when the diamond is exposed to light. and brillianceBrilliance refers to how well the diamond reflects light. Since clarity is a measure of inclusions or imperfections in the diamond, it will not affect a diamonds appearance as much as cutCut is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the proper balance of proportions. If the facets are lined up correctly and at the proper angles, light will enter the diamond and be dispersed. If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow it will leak light and not be as brilliant. or colorColor is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the absence of color in a diamond. D is the highest grading a colorless diamond can receive and Z is the lowest. Diamonds found in jewelry are usually not below a J or K color grading. Fancy colored diamonds are assigned a score of Z+ meaning they fall outside of the colorless scale. will. In cases where the diamond has a rating between I1-13I means that the diamond is ‘included’ and refers to the diamond’s clarity rating. A diamond inclusion is another name for a diamond flaw. I ratings are the lowest on the clarity scale and indicate the diamond may have a flaw that is visible with the naked eye. , the inclusion might be visible with the naked eye and interfere with light reflection within the diamond, but these diamonds are rarely used for jewelry.

What is "laser drilling"?

Laser drilling is a process used to improve the clarityClarity is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the lack of imperfections in the stone. It is graded on a scale that goes from F (flawless)-IF-VVSI-VSI-SI-I with several sublevels. of a diamond by removing imperfections. A tiny hole is drilled into the diamond with a laser to burn the inclusionAn inclusion is another name for a diamond flaw. The more included a diamond is, the lower clarity rating the diamond will receive. . The inclusion is then lightened further with an acid. Diamonds that are improved through laser drilling are worth less than diamonds that are not. For this reason, any treatment that the diamond undergoes will be stated during its certification and must be disclosed at time it is sold as required by the Federal Trade Commission.

DIAMOND CUT AND SHAPE

What is the difference between the cut and shape of a diamond?

The shapeThe shape of the diamond refers to the silhouette and the look of the diamond. The most popular shape is the round brilliant followed by the princess cut . There are also fancy shapes such as pear (also known as teardrop shaped), marquis, heart, radiant and more. of the diamond refers to the silhouette and the look of the diamond when seen from the top. The cutCut is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the proper balance of proportions. If the facets are lined up correctly and at the proper angles, light will enter the diamond and be dispersed. If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow it will leak light and not be as brilliant. refers to the diamond's proportionality with the most desirable cut being 'Excellent' also known as 'Ideal' followed by 'Very Good.' A proper cut maximizes the brillianceBrilliance refers to how well the diamond reflects light. , fireFire refers to the refraction of colors that a diamond produces. Diamonds of higher quality have the ability to refract more colors when the diamond is exposed to light. and scintillationScintillation is a term used to describe the diamonds dynamic flashes of light when it is moved back and forth. of the diamond.

What diamond shape is the best?

Round brilliant is traditionally thought of as the most superior diamond shapeThe shape of the diamond refers to the silhouette and the look of the diamond. The most popular shape is the round brilliant followed by the princess cut . There are also fancy shapes such as pear (also known as teardrop shaped), marquis, heart, radiant and more. because it has been studied and perfected for centuries. A diamond has to be cut into certain proportions to reflect light properly and the round brilliant more than any other shape has certain standards to ensure the diamond is reaching its full potential.

A brilliant round diamond is also less likely to reveal lower colorColor is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the absence of color in a diamond. D is the highest grading a colorless diamond can receive and Z is the lowest. Diamonds found in jewelry are usually not below a J or K color grading. Fancy colored diamonds are assigned a score of Z+ meaning they fall outside of the colorless scale. gradings in its corners because it has no corners. Lack of corners also makes it a more robust stone and less likely to chip than say the pointed tip of a pear shaped diamond or marquis diamond. Diamond shapes that are more delicate like the pear shaped diamond are also more expensive to insure but the benefit to these shapes is that they appear to have more carat weight.

What is a brilliant cut diamond?

Brilliant cut has nothing to do with the quality of the diamond. It refers to a kind of diamond cut that has 58 facets and comes in a variety of shapes including round, pear, heart, oval, and radiant.

Is an 'Ideal' cut diamond better than 'Excellent' cut diamond?

'Ideal' and 'Excellent' cut diamonds are the same.

DIAMOND CERTIFICATION

Is GIA Diamond Certification recognized abroad?

Yes, the GIAThe Gemological Institute of America is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. They are responsible for the establishment of the four C’s and issue diamond and gemstone certification based on unbiased analysis of gemstone quality. has a very strong reputation internationally which is why we only carry diamonds certified by the GIA.

FINE JEWELRY METALS

What is the best metal for a ring?

Platinum and 18K gold are the best metals for rings and each has their own benefits. Platinum is significantly more expensive than gold and hypoallergenic. Unlike gold, platinum will not gradually wear down over time, but it will develop a patinaA patina develops on the surface of a metal (including platinum) over time due to exposure and daily wear. The patina gives the piece of jewelry an antique look but it can be polished away. that can be polished away by a jeweler.

Setting a diamond in yellow gold is less expensive and beneficial if the diamond has a low colorColor is one of the 4 C’s and refers to the absence of color in a diamond. D is the highest grading a colorless diamond can receive and Z is the lowest. Diamonds found in jewelry are usually not below a J or K color grading. Fancy colored diamonds are assigned a score of Z+ meaning they fall outside of the colorless scale. grade. The yellow in the gold will help disguise the faint subtle tones in the diamond. Learn more about Fine Jewelry Metals

Can I order an item in a metal different than what it is available in?

Yes, as a custom order almost any item may be ordered in a metal different than what it is available in. Click on the Personal Consultant button on the zoom page of the item and inform your Personal Consultant about your request.

PURCHASING DIAMOND JEWELRY

Is buying a diamond online safe?

Buying a diamond online can be a great way to save money, as long as you are buying a diamond that is certified. Ziva Jewels recommends that you only purchase a diamond certified by the GIAThe Gemological Institute of America is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. They are responsible for the establishment of the four C’s and issue diamond and gemstone certification based on unbiased analysis of gemstone quality. , the most reputable of all the diamond certification agencies.

When purchasing a diamond online, the diamond should have its certification number listed. You can call the GIA and verify that the certification number and details of the diamond in question are the same as the one that is listed. This allows to be confident that you are indeed purchasing an authentic diamond.

Certification is also helpful because the GIA uses universal and standard terms. Unlike buying a car or a house where the seller chooses how to describe what they are offering, the GIA evaluates diamonds and informs the seller of what terms they can use to describe the diamond. This way you can be sure of what you are buying. Learn How to Verify GIA Certification

Is it better to choose a diamond or an engagement ring first?

Ziva Jewels recommends choosing an engagement ring setting first. Choosing a diamond first can be limiting because the diamond may not fit into the style you want. Ziva Jewels produces custom orders so if you want to fit a loose diamond into a style that wasn't meant for the shape or size of the diamond, go to the custom orders page.

How much should I spend on an engagement ring?

Deciding on a budget is important to consider before you ever set foot into a jewelry store so you don't feel pressured to buy something that you can't afford. At Ziva, we encourage you to decide on an amount that makes sense for you financially as well as emotionally.

The time-honored tradition is for the groom to spend between two and three months salary on a ring; however, the tradition is only around 60 years old and actually originated with a marketing campaign DeBeers launched in 1947. Therefore, feel free to decide for yourself and once you decide on a budget, stick to it proudly.

ZIVA JEWELS

Does Ziva Jewels charge sales tax?

We only charge sales tax on orders shipped to an address in California.

Are all of your diamonds natural?

Yes, at Ziva Jewels we only carry natural diamonds and do not sell laboratory (also known as man-made) diamonds, MoissaniteMoissanite has been regarded as an excellent diamond simulant, meaning it is not a real diamond but is made to look like one. At Ziva Jewels we do not use any diamond simulants in the construction of our jewelry. or
Cubic ZirconiaCubic Zirconia has been regarded as an excellent diamond simulant, meaning it is not a real diamond but is made to look like one. Ziva Jewels does not use any diamond simulants in the construction of their jewelry. .

Can I view your diamonds and jewelry in person?

Yes, you can either choose our Try Before You Buy option or find a ZIVA retailer in your area.

What is the difference between the engagement rings and the anniversary rings in your collections?

Engagement rings have a matching wedding band whereas anniversary rings do not. We might be able to custom make a wedding band for you if the ring you want does not have one, email us at quotes@zivajewels.com and we can help you.

Will you custom-make an item based on my design ideas?

Yes, you may request to modify one of our existing styles or submit your own design for quotation, just visit our custom orders page and fill out the form and Personal Consultant will contact you to discuss the details.

What is your product warranty?

ZIVA warranties its products against defect in material and workmanship in normal use and serviced for the period you own it. Adjustment or alteration of product by someone other than ZIVA will void ZIVA's product warranty.