Diamond Dictionary

True, diamonds are forever—but that doesn’t mean that diamond styles and offerings don’t evolve over time. Whether you like the vintage look or a spare, modern design, thousands of sparkling options are available. And that’s precisely what makes diamonds so meaningful: No two are exactly alike, and what you choose will be an enduring expression of your personal taste.

Carat
One carat equals one hundred points on the diamond’s scale. Therefore, a diamond that is .75 carats has seventy-five of the one hundred points. If you were to weigh the diamond alone, without the ring, you could see how large it is. Be cautioned, however, that two diamonds can have the same carat weight and be unequal in value. Fine quality can be found in diamonds of all shapes and sizes.

Clarity
A diamond’s clarity is determined by the number and size of its inclusions. An inclusion is a tiny natural mark found in a diamond.

Color
The best color is no color at all. A totally colorless diamond allows white light to pass effortlessly through it. A yellow diamond won’t be as radiant. Pink, blue, and green diamonds are very rare and usually enormously expensive.

Cut
A diamond’s cut isn’t its shape. A diamond doesn’t sparkle and shimmer before it’s cut. When a diamond is properly cut, it’s able to reflect light, creating sparkle and brilliance.

Laser Inscription
Many name-brand diamonds are laser-inscribed with a signature that’s invisible to the naked eye, thus ensuring the gem’s authenticity.

Shape
Shape is a matter of personal taste. The round brilliant has long been the most popular shape. However, there are many other shapes to choose from, such as oval, marquise, princess, emerald, and square.