Learning Center

It can be intimidating to shop for fine jewelry, especially if you don't have the right jewelry information. The South Hills Jewelers Learning Guide will give you the jewelry information-and the confidence-you need to choose the right jewelry for you or her.

The Four Cs of Diamonds

Diamonds are like fingerprints, in that no two are alike. The four Cs —Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight-identify unique characteristics that give diamonds their individuality. Each plays an important part in the quality and cost of your diamond.Cut.

Cut

Many people confuse the cut with the shape. Cut refers to the placement and proportion of the facets, or surfaces. The facets reflect light and contribute to the diamond's sparkle. Cut gives your diamond its fire and brilliance. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light reflects from one facet to another then radiates through the top of the stone. If the cut of a diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected, thus reducing brilliancy. Whichever shape you choose, you want the cut to maximize the diamond's brilliance. You'll be happy to know, you don't have to be an expert to judge the quality of the cut. Hold two diamonds side by side under a bright light. In general the one with the most fire has the better cut.

Color

The color grade of a diamond refers to the degree of color present in the diamond. Most diamonds have a slight trace of yellow, brown or gray body color. With the exception of a few fancy colored diamonds in deep shades of blue, red, purple and pink, the colorless grade of diamonds is the most rare. Everything else being equal, other than the fancy colors, the closer a diamond is to colorless, the more valuable it is. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) created an alphabetic color grading scale for diamonds. Diamonds with the least amount of color are classified as D. Going down the scale, the diamonds with the most color given a Z rating. Most of us cannot tell the difference between an F color diamond and a G color diamond until you see the difference in price. Small changes in color can result in large changes in the price. Most jewelry stores sell diamonds in the F to L color range. If you purchase diamonds graded D to G in color, you may want to set the stone in white gold or platinum to enhance the stone's beauty. If you purchase a diamond in the H to L in color, set the stone in yellow gold to give the stone a more colorless feel.

Clarity

Due to minute traces of minerals trapped in a diamond during the crystallization process, every diamond is unique. These natural characteristics, called inclusions or blemishes give the diamond its own individuality. Clarity refers to the number, color, size, and position of inclusions. To determine a diamond's clarity grade, it is viewed under 10-power magnification by a trained diamond grader. A flawless diamond has no external blemishes or inclusions. The closer to flawless a diamond is, everything else being equal, the greater the value of that stone. Under the GIA rating scale, most diamonds sold in jewelry stores are between SI1, and I1 in clarity.

Carat Weight

A diamond's weight is the simplest of the 4 Cs to measure. A carat is equal to 0.2 grams. Each carat is divided into 100 points. A quarter carat has 25 points or written as 0.25 carats. Carat weight has no bearing on a diamond's cut, color, or clarity.
Things to consider:
The cut contributes most to the brilliance of stones. If a stone is highly discounted, it likely has a poor cut. The differences in color ratings is minute, however the price is not. In terms of clarity, most diamonds have blemishes or inclusions. Choose a diamond with its imperfections hidden deep in the stone or that can be hidden by prongs or bezels. For most couples, it comes down to this: First consider the diamonds you feel good about and that reflects your personal taste. Then choose the ring that gives you the best of 4 Cs for the money.

Confidence, the fifth C

Choosing the right jeweler makes a big difference in the quality of stone you purchase and in your overall buying experience. Buying her diamond engagement ring should be fun and a memorable part of the whole engagement process. You want a jeweler who is knowledgeable and generous with advice and help. The jeweler should take you through the 4 Cs, giving you as much time as you need. We've helped couples buy engagement rings with confidence since 1982. South Hills Jewelers has well-trained Associates to answer your questions. They not only help you pick the right stone for you and your fiancée, they stand 100% behind their work: If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for an exchange or full refund for up to 30 days after you made the purchase. 

Caring For Your Diamond

You can personally ensure that the outstanding beauty of your diamond is not lost to daily wear. Simply wiping it with a cotton cloth, or small chamois, will restore its original luster. You should also periodically check the prongs that secure your diamond. They should fit tightly and not allow the diamond to shift or move. In the event that your skin or your band experiences some discoloration, do not be alarmed. This is a natural occurrence that can be caused by household chemicals, certain hand lotions and perfumes.

South Hills Jewelers will also be happy to buff and clean your ring at no charge to you. You may wish to purchase a cleaning solution from us. This is a simple, inexpensive, 100% safe solution that can be used to clean your ring on a daily basis. Always check with your South Hills Jewelers associate for specific diamond care needs.

South Hills Jewelers will gladly check, inspect and clean your jewelry every 6 months and repair it if necessary.