Diamonds and Loose Stones

Selection

Prlanta Fine Jewelry has an extensive inventory of in-stock, GIA* and EGL* certified diamonds and loose stones. We carry a full range of color stones, in a wide variety of shapes and sizes - from semi-precious to precious gemstones.

The "Four C's" of Diamonds

Color: Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness - the less color, the higher their value. GIA's color-grading scale for diamonds is the industry standard. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues with increasing presence of color to the letter Z, or near-colorless. Each letter grade has a clearly defined range of color appearance. Many of these color distinctions are so subtle as to be invisible to the untrained eye. But these slight differences make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.

Clarity: Because diamonds formed deep within the earth, under extreme heat and pressure, they often contain unique birthmarks, either internal inclusions or external. Diamond clarity refers to the absence of these inclusions and blemishes. Diamonds without these birthmarks are rare, and rarity affects a diamond's value. Diamonds are assigned a clarity grade that ranges from flawless, FL, to diamonds with obvious inclusions, I3.Every diamond is unique. None is absolutely perfect under 10x magnification, though some come close. Most diamonds fall into the VS, very slightly included, or SI, slightly included, categories.

Cut: Cut refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond. The allure of a particular diamond depends more on cut than anything else. Though extremely difficult to analyze or quantify, the cut of any diamond has three attributes: brilliance - the total light reflected from a diamond, fire - the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum, and scintillation - the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved. An understanding of diamond cut begins with the shape of a diamond. Diamonds are cut into many different shapes, reflecting not only popular taste but the proportions and quality of the rough diamond. The most popular shapes include Round, Princess, Emerald, Square, Oval, Baguette, and Marquise.

Carat: Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed in metric carats: one carat is equal to 0.2 grams, about the same weight as a paperclip. Just as a dollar is divided into 100 pennies, a carat is divided into 100 points. For example, a 50-point diamond weighs 0.50 carats. But two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the other members of the Four C's: clarity, color and cut. Because even a fraction of a carat can make a considerable difference in cost, precision is crucial. In the diamond industry, weight is often measured to the hundred thousandths of a carat, and rounded to a hundredth of a carat. Diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. For example, a 1.08 ct. stone would be described as "one point oh eight carats," or "one oh eight". A Diamond of equal weight may appear slightly different in size, depending on their depth and promotions.

*GIA: Gemological Institute Of America  |  *EGL: European Gemological Laboratory