Diamond Education

Buying a diamond online is like saying “I Do” to a stranger. The convenience of online shopping has made it simple to buy anything on the Internet. But when the time comes to purchase something truly meaningful that will last a lifetime, you want to ensure you are making the finest choice from the finest selection.

You wouldn’t buy a house without a tour, or a car without a test drive. Savvy shoppers know major purchases require the ability to touch, see, and feel what they are buying. Your next diamond purchase deserves the same care.

In each of our stores, you have the ability to view your next diamond under a microscope with one of our diamond specialists. Enjoy a glass of sparkling champagne or warm coffee with your friends or loved ones while you preview the latest diamond styles. Our intentions are to make your experience one to remember.

Begin your diamond education here by exploring and learning about the 4Cs, and visit Thomas Markle Jewelers to continue your search for that perfect diamond. We’ll help create that perfect moment.

Cut

As the most important attribute in revealing a diamond’s true beauty, the cut is what gives a diamond its sparkle and fire. Although all elements of the 4Cs are important, the cut adds the most value to a diamond. A diamond’s cut refers to two features: the quality of the cut and the shape of the diamond.

The cut enables a diamond to make the best use of light.  A poorly cut diamond, whether cut too shallow or too deep, will lose much of the light entering the stone making the diamond appear dull and lifeless. An ideally cut diamond will reflect and refract more light, resulting in a brilliant diamond that looks larger, and reflects luminous white light and all seven colors of the rainbow.

Shape

Similar to a diamond’s cut is the shape of the diamond, which refers to the overall form of the diamond. With so many styles to choose from, it can be difficult to decide on only one. Shape can be a statement of who you are and may reflect your individuality or personal style. If purchasing a diamond for a loved one, we recommend to familiarize yourself with each shape, and choose one that reflects their personality and aesthetic preference.  The round brilliant is the most popular shape, but there are a wide variety of other shapes ranging from more traditional to unique and modern.

Color

When judging the color of a diamond, it is actually a lack of color that is graded. White diamonds are graded on a letter scale from D to Z, with D classified as colorless and Z classified as noticeable color. As one moves down the color scale, a white diamond becomes warmer in color, showing faint to light colors of yellow, gray, and/or brown. A diamond’s value decreases as one moves down the color scale from D to Z, but begins to regain value towards the end of the scale as rarity increases. Known as “Fancy Yellow”, these yellow diamonds are uncommon and highly valuable.

Clarity

Diamonds have been naturally created through millions of years of extreme heat and pressure. Over the years inclusions or imperfections in the diamond are often formed in the process. You may think of these as natures “fingerprint”, making every diamond unique. These characteristics may appear as miniscule crystals, clouds, or feathers often difficult to see with a naked eye. The location and amount of the inclusions affect a diamond’s value, and fewer inclusions means greater value. 

All of our diamonds are certified at Thomas Markle Jewelers.  A certificate includes what is known as a “plot” of a diamond’s inclusions.  This allows you to compare the uniqueness of your diamond’s clarity characteristics with the plot provided on the diamond certificate ensuring the diamond you pay for is the same diamond you receive.

Carat Weight

Often mistaken for size, a diamond’s carat is a measurement of weight. The weight of a diamond is expressed in points or carats; a carat diamond equals 100 points, and a ½ carat diamond equals 50 points, etc. Generally as a diamond’s weight increases, so does its rarity and value. The images below are approximate in size.

The process that forms a diamond happens only in very rare circumstances, and typically the natural materials required are found in only small amounts.  Larger diamonds are uncovered less often than smaller diamonds, making them more valuable.