Diamond Quality

Diamond Quality is about more than just what meets the eye.

Discerning people appreciate quality. The thought of purchasing a home, an automobile or even a bottle of fine wine that does not meet their standards is simply unheard of. The same holds true with diamonds and diamond jewelry. Diamonds are the hardest natural gemstone known to man. But there’s more to a diamond than meets the eye.

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The 4 C's

Diamonds. Think quality first. Paffrath Jewelers are the experts where diamonds are concerned. We can explain the 4C’s in more detail as well as show you diamonds in all quantities and sizes. Paffrath’s will help you find the right diamond for you. It pays to buy your diamonds at Paffrath Jewelers. 

Quality. 
It’s unmistakable… 
And it’s as important in diamonds as in anything else you own. 

Color

The rarest color for a diamond is no color. Because it is the totally colorless diamond that acts as a prism, allowing light to pass effortlessly through the diamond and be transformed into rainbows of color. 

The Color grading scale from totally colorless to light yellow: The differences between one grade and another are very subtle, as can be seen by the number of grades in any one category. 

Two diamonds that look alike may be very different. And two diamonds of equal size can have very different values. To understand these differences is to understand the 4C’s: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat-weight. It is these characteristics that determine the value of a diamond. When you buy diamond jewelry, you’ll want the diamonds to be the best quality for you. 

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Cut

Many people confuse cut with the shape of a diamond. Most diamonds are cut with a full 58 facets. The cut enables a diamond to make the best use of light. 

  • When a diamond is cut to ideal proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the diamond.
  • If the Cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.
  • If the diamond’s cut is too deep, one light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion, making it a crucial aspect of quality.

For your protection, we recommend you have your jewelry appraised every two years. We will provide you with accurate appraisal reports based on current market values so you can obtain adequate insurance coverage. You may also want to determine the value or authenticity of your jewelry for estate and tax purposes, divorce settlements, donations, and loans.

Carat Weight

This is the size of the diamond measured in Carats. One carat is divided into 100 points so that a diamond of 75 points weights .75 carats. Size is the most obvious factor in determining the value of a diamond. But two diamonds of equal size can have very different values, depending on their color, clarity, and cut. 

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Clarity

Diamonds, more than any other gemstone, have the capability to produce the maximum amount of brilliance. And a diamond that is virtually free of interior and exterior inclusions is the rarest, for nothing interferes with the passage of light through the diamond. To determine a diamond’s Clarity, it is viewed -under 10-power magnification by a trained eye. Minute inclusions neither mar its beauty nor endanger its durability. 

  • (Flawless) under 10x 

  • (Internally Flawless -minor surface blemishes) under 10x 

  • (Multiple to few – very, very small inclusions

  • (Multiple to few – very small inclusions) 

  • (Multiple to few – small inclusions)

  • (Numerous small to few larger inclusions)

  • (Imperfect – large eye-visible inclusions) 

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Top 10 Diamond Shapes

  • Brilliant
  • Princess
  • Emerald
  • Marquise
  • Ascher
  • Oval
  • Pear
  • Heart
  • Square Radiant
  • Cushion

Facets of a Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

  • Table Star facet
  • Bezel facet
  • Upper girdle facet
  • Girdle
  • Lower girdle facet
  • Pavilion facet
  • Culet
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Learn More

Unmatched quality ensures that your diamond selection will be brilliant for the rest of your lives. For more information about diamond quality, please contact us and we will get back to you soon.