Carat (ct) is a measurement of weight, not size. There are five carats to a gram. A 1 ct sapphire is smaller in size than a 1 ct diamond because it is heavier. There are 100 points to a carat, so a 50…

A rough diamond looks like any other rock until it is “cut” into many facets at optimum angles to produce maximum brilliance (sparkle) and fire (reflected colors). The quality of the cut is known as the “make”.

A diamond’s clarity grade is actually a flaw-grade and refers to the tiny imperfections present when the stone was originally formed by nature. If no flaws can be seen under 10X magnification, such as with a diamond loupe, it is…

Diamond color is graded from D-F (colorless) through G-J (near colorless), K-M (faint yellow), N-R (very light yellow) down to S-Z (light yellow). In the K-R range you sometimes get a very light brown called “champagne” and a darker brown…

The lack of natural body color is a major factor in determining the value of a diamond. The most expensive are colorless and are graded downward by the amount of yellowish or brownish tint they have.

Some jewelry stores mark up their diamond engagement rings as much as three times the Rapaport List wholesale price. However, on the wholesale market diamonds are sold well below the published value, so you can buy below list wholesale from a jeweler with low…

Available in White Gold Only This very pretty ring is made from 14k white gold, a 7 X 5 mm aquamarine and 1/10 carat total weight in diamonds. The aquamarine is medium color, eye clean and cut well. The diamonds…

Available in Yellow Gold Only This modernist style ring had a 5 X 5 genuine ruby and 6 round cut diamonds that weigh a total of 1/8 carat. The ruby is medium color pinkish red to red, very slightly included…

1/2 ct tw of diamonds This man’s ring is fashioned from platinum and has 5 channel set round cut diamonds that weigh a total of 1/2 carat in one version or five princess square cut diamonds totaling 3/4 ct in another….

Available in White Gold Only This ring comes in 14k white gold and has five sapphires and 1/5 carat total weight of diamonds. The sapphires are eye clean, medium to medium dark blue color, little or no color zoning and…