Buying a Diamond
Gemstones
Jewelry Care

Buying a Diamond

When making your diamond purchase, let us, your Master IJO Jeweler, put your mind at ease by adding the confidence, trust, integrity, honesty, and expertise you need when buying from the heart.

The 4 C’s classify the value of diamonds. Every diamond’s price, rarity and beauty are determined by the combination of cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

Cut
Cut describes the proportions and angles of a diamond. Many people confuse cut with the shape of the diamond. Although nature determines the other three characteristics, it takes a master diamond cutter to reveal a diamond’s true beauty, making it the most important diamond characteristic.

A well-cut diamond reflects light from one mirror-like facet to another and projects the light through the top of the stone. The result is a fiery and brilliant display. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow leak light through the side or bottom resulting in a lackluster appearance and diminish the value.

Color
White diamonds are the most popular, even though diamonds are found in a kaleidoscope of color. Diamonds are graded on a color scale implemented by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Color differences can be so subtle that diamond colors are graded under controlled lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.

Clarity
Naturally occurring inclusions such as minerals or fractures are identifying characteristics created while diamonds are formed in the earth. At J. F. Kruse Jewelers, we use magnification to view diamonds at 10x their actual size so these tiny inclusions are more easily seen.

The greater the diamonds clarity, the more rare and valuable it is. A diamond with an inclusion in the middle or top could impact the dispersion of light, making the diamond less brilliant.

Carat Weight
Carat is a diamond’s measure of weight, not size. A full carat is equal to 100 points. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, a 1-carat diamond will cost more than twice a ½ carat diamond (assuming all other characteristics remain constant). The cut and the mounting can make a diamond appear larger than its actual weight. At J. F. Kruse Jewelers, we help you find the right diamond and mounting to optimize its beauty.

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Gemstones

September Feature Gemstone: Sapphire

The stone that was in the engagement ring given by Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer, sapphire is often associated with royalty and romance.

Sapphire comes is many colors, but provides the most beautiful blues of all the gemstones.  Sapphire doesn’t come in red because a “red sapphire” is really a ruby, sapphire’s gem sibling.

The most common color is blue, and the most valuable is the vivid pure blue.  Another valuable color is a delicate pinkish orange that is known as “padparadscha.”

All colors of sapphires are mined in Sri Lanka.  Kashmir and Myanmar (Burma) are known for fine blue sapphires that are highly valued because of their rarity.

Sapphire is the mineral corundum, which has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale.

Clean sapphire with mild dish soap in warm water: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.

www.gia.edu

www.jewelsforme.com

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Diamond Certifications

At J. F. Kruse Jewelers, we proudly feature AGS Laboratories diamond grading reports, which provide a third party expert opinion that verifies the information of the diamond that you are considering.

The AGS Laboratories have provided high quality diamond grading reports since 1996 and has enhanced its reputation as an industry leader through its groundbreaking work in developing an objective standard for evaluating how well a diamond is cut.

In addition to AGS Laboratories, we offer grading reports from other quality diamond grading laboratories.  In the following sections we summarize the features of the major diamond grading laboratories to help with your diamond buying process.

Click here to view the comparative analysis.

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From the Gemologist's Desk

By Cindy Stieren, Graduate Gemologist/Diamond Buyer

There is a lot of confusion with the term “CUT” in the 4C’s of diamond quality. 

• Cut
• Color
• Clarity
• Carat

Many people think that the cut is just the shape of the diamond (round brilliant, princess, emerald, oval etc.) but it is MUCH more than that!  Shape is only the beginning… cut means to a diamonds quality.

The cut of a diamond has the greatest effect on its beauty.

 A diamond can be flawless and colorless but it will not be beautiful if it does not dance with light. 
A diamond is a tiny set of mirrors (facets at angles) that reflect and refract light.  When light enters a diamond; the diamond material slows and bends the light waves.  When light waves slow and bend, the white light is dispersed into its spectral (rainbow) colors.  Every angle and every facet that is cut on the diamond- affect the amount and quality of light (white light or colored light )that is  returned to your eye or is lost out the bottom or sides of the diamond (called light leakage).  The “ideal” in superior craftsmanship in the diamond cutting process is that all cutting factors are at the highest levels of precision and perfection to make the maximum contribution to the diamonds beauty.  That beauty makes the diamond more valuable….
For grading purposes, the word “cut” means the proportions and finish—or make—of a polished diamond.

• Proportions are the angles and relative measurements of a polished diamond’s facets and the relationships between them. 
• Finish is the quality of the polish and the precision (symmetry) of the junctions of the facets.

The proportions and finish of a skillfully cut diamond maximize its interaction with light.
For more information check out our links to IJO and GIA

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Jewelry Care

After purchasing an exquisite piece of jewelry, knowing how to care for it makes all the difference in maintaining its sparkle for years to come.

Chemicals found substances we use everyday like hair sprays, lotions, perfumes and even cosmetics can permanently damage fine jewelry.

Fine jewelry should be removed before diving into a chlorinated swimming pool or before using household cleaners. Many household cleaners contain ammonia and are only safe for diamonds and the more durable colored gems. Chlorine bleach, another common household solvent, can pit gold alloys. Light and heat can also affect a colored gemstone’s durability and color. Just as the sun’s harmful rays can damage our skin over time and in excess, they can also fade and weaken some gemstones.

Cleaning most colored gems is safe with warm water, mild soap (no detergents) and a soft brush. Be sure to stop the sink’s drain in case the gemstone comes loose in it's setting.

Soft gems, such as pearls, on the other hand, are easily scratched. Clean using an unused makeup brush instead, and warm, soapy water. Lay the pearls on a towel to dry. The wet string can stretch and attract dirt, so don’t touch a string of pearls until they are completely dry. Pearls worn every few days should be re strung once a year.

Proper jewelry storage is also often overlooked. Jewelry should never be tossed into a drawer or on top of a dresser—that’s a recipe for scratches and fractured gems. Most jewelry pieces come in a box or pouch from the store, which is a perfect place to keep them. Sterling silver, for example, should be kept in an anti-tarnish bag or cloth.

As always, bring in your pieces for regular cleaning and inspection. Feel free to ask us any questions about the storage and safe keeping of your precious pieces.

Check out some more ways to care for your jewelry below!

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