Which Type of Diamond is Right for You?
Which Type of Diamond is Right for You?
Diamonds are just as unique as snowflakes or fingerprints. Every bit of carbon that was lucky enough to become a sparkly diamond also has its very own unique personality. That’s why from color to cut, carat size to clarity, these elements create infinite permutations and many different types of diamondcharacteristics. This is perhaps why it feels so good to gift or own a diamond. When you decide to take a diamond home, you’re the only one who will have that perfectly unique stone. This does, however, make it hard to know what to look for in a diamond. But, there’s no need to worry! We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you learn about the unique characteristics of the many types of diamonds you might come across when shopping for an engagement ring or diamond jewelry piece.
All About Exclusive Diamonds
All diamonds are beautiful, but there is something to be said for symmetrical, crystal clear perfection. “Truly ideal” diamonds are works of art. The Lux Diamond is emblematic of exacting Gemological Institute of America standards: the world’s foremost authority on diamonds since 1931. Lux Bond & Green Lux Diamonds come accompanied with a GIA grading number, and are inscribed with the Lux logo, so that you know you’re getting the real deal. These diamonds are different because they are cut with precision as the ultimate goal, instead of maximizing the amount of raw material in the rough diamond (like many cutters do). When Lux Diamonds are complete, their proportions show equally spaced hearts and arrows which allow for maximum reflection and refraction—otherwise known as “fire.” This is why Lux Diamonds are more valuable than similarly sized diamonds that are not held to quite the same quality control. So, if perfection is what you seek, look no further than a Lux Diamond. For stunning examples, see these lux diamond stud earrings in 18k white gold, or a lux diamond wedding band in platinum.
Hearts on Fire is another diamond jewelry designer who is renowned for excellence in diamond cutting. These diamonds are cut at 100x maximum magnification, which is ten times the industry standard! The Hearts on Fire diamond offers an outside-the-lines type of gorgeousness. For instance, consider the Transcend Premier Halo diamond engagement ring in platinum, which features over one and a half carats of diamonds, with a round center cut lifted haloed and floated off the band to allow for maximum brilliance. If you want to take home a diamond that will stun friends, family, and strangers alike, either a Lux Diamond, or one from Hearts on Fire, will be an excellent choice.
Everything You Need to Know: Shapes, Sizes & Colors
Some of the world’s largest and most interesting diamonds are richly storied with history and myth. From the largest quality diamond ever found, called the Cullinan, to the Hope Diamond, a large, dark blue stone shrouded in mystery, to diamonds whose fable lives beyond knowledge of their current origins; big and bold diamonds have always attracted attention. You can learn much more about these historical stones from the Cape Town Diamond Museum in South Africa.
Finding diamonds as intriguing as these legendary stones isn’t as hard as you might think. You’ll find all different shapes, sizes and colors of diamonds at Lux Bond & Green, along with all the diamond education you’ll need.
There are diamonds in a variety of surprising shapes, such as a heart, pear, emerald (rectangular) or marquise (narrow and double-pointed). There are also more traditional shapes like the oval, cushion, or round brilliant. The shape of the diamond will dictate the structure of a given piece of jewelry, so in a way, it is where the character of a diamond ring, necklace, or earrings originates from.
The carat size of the diamond is the easiest way to determine its dollar value. As you increase in size, maintaining the quality factor, you’ll find that larger diamonds are exponentially more expensive. However, even size can’t tell you exactly the cost of a diamond, because color and clarity also influence its value. For instance, test out Lux Bond & Green’s diamond search tool, which gives you access to our vault of loose diamonds. Set the size/carats metric to 1, without touching any other toggles, and search. See how the cost can vary by thousands of dollars, even among stones that physically weigh the same? We’ll tell you a little more about why that is.
Diamonds come in a range of five general diamond color types, with 20 subcategories, labeled with a lettering system. And that’s just within the “white” and “off-white” variety, not to mention “fancy” colors like blue, chocolate, black, pink, cognac, yellow, and more. Out of the subtle color varieties, the most colorless diamonds are labeled “D,” and those with the most significant tint of yellow, “W.” The steps in between are very slight—sometimes indiscernible to the untrained eye. Though everyone has their own opinion about color, the closer to the letter “D” that a diamond is rated, the more value it will have.
Clarity is another metric that affects diamond worth. Some rare diamonds are considered flawless, but many others contain inclusions. Some inclusions are very hard to locate—requiring magnification to view them—while others can be clearly seen with the naked eye. Though flaws, such as feathers, crystals, clouds, or traces of other elements, do change the diamond’s value, they are actually reminders of the diamond’s creation in nature. That is, if the diamond is naturally mined.
A Modern Dilemma: Mined vs. Lab Created Diamonds
We mentioned that many diamonds come from South Africa, or other special places in the world where deep in the Earth, millions of years of heat and pressure has allowed these rare gemstones to form. The process of finding them, digging them up, and skillfully shaping them from rough stones to shiny diamonds, is part of what makes them so sought after. Beyond being ancient, as one of the hardest materials in the world, diamonds are also nearly indestructible. Their history is another reason why people are drawn to diamonds. Lab diamonds, otherwise known as synthetic or manmade diamonds, can be just as beautiful, and cost a fraction of the price as natural diamonds, but they lack the uniqueness and storied history of a mined stone. In other words, lab diamonds might not be considered to be rare or real in the same way that natural diamonds are. This New York Times article expounds on the interesting economical implications behind lab created diamonds. We also share our POV on the matter here:https://www.lbgreen.com/about/synthetic-diamonds. At Lux Bond & Green, you can shop with confidence knowing that we only offer nature’s own.
Learning about different types of diamonds is a fascinating and almost never-ending lesson! There will continue to be new technology that helps diamond cutters hone their skill, improved raw materials and tools that allow diamond jewelry designers to innovate. Luckily, you’ll always know where to come for the most beautiful and highly-rated diamonds. Don’t rely on just a grading report; rely on the expert and discriminating diamond buyers at Lux Bond & Green who are trained by the American Gem Society and Gemological Institute of America and share a combined 100 plus years of experience. Shop online, or at your local Lux Bond & Green store, for trusted quality diamonds, and a non-commissioned, knowledgeable staff to help find the right diamond for you.