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As a Direct Diamond Importer Bella Cosa Jewelers carries an exceptional collection of round, princess cut and fancy shape diamonds. One of our Graduate Gemologists or GIA trained associates will explain the benefits of each stone and help you choose the perfect setting to showcase your diamond. All of our certified diamonds are graded by the GIA.
Learn more about diamonds and GIA Diamond Grading Reports.
Cut
The cut actually pertains to both the Shape of the diamond and to the Make (how well a diamond was fashioned to good proportions and polish).
Shapes include Round, Pear, Emerald, Marquise, Oval, Radiant, Princess, Trilliant, Cushion, Asscher, and Heart. Baguette is a popular diamond found in many engagement and wedding ring settings. There are many diamond cutters that create specialty shapes like the Flanders, Kites, Stars and even Half Moons. Typically specialty cut diamonds are in demand because of their unusual shapes that help create unique jewelry. Other specialty cut diamonds might look like a standard Round, when in fact they have more facets than the standard 57 or 58 facets. Expert diamond cutters through the years have studied refractions of light using complex mathematics to create specialty cuts with spectacular fire and brilliance. More facets does not automatically translate into a brighter more brilliant diamond. There is a combination of many factors that make the diamond beautiful.
The Make includes details such as table percentage, depth percentage, polish, and symmetry, among others. Cut describes the proportions and angles of a diamond. Many people confuse cut with the shape of a diamond. Although nature determines the other three characteristics, it takes a master diamond cutter to reveal a diamond's true beauty. Diamonds are available in various shapes including round, square, pear, heart, marquise and oval but cut refers to the angles and proportions of a diamond.
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.
If you are having a diamond mounted, write down the measurements of your stone. Measurements never change. Measure the stone after it is mounted to verify that it matches the appraisal and/or certificate. At Bella Cosa we measure every stone before taking it in for repair or appraisal.
Round brilliant diamonds are commonly cut with 58 facets. The better proportioned these facets are on the diamond, the more light will be reflected back to the viewer's eye. This is extremely important for a well cut diamond will sparkle more than a diamond with poor cut. Diamond cuts are measured by the table percentage, so always ask for it. Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow leak light through the side or bottom, resulting in a lackluster appearance and diminished value.
What exactly are Brilliance, Dispersion and Scintillation?
Brilliance is the liveliness and sparkle exhibited by a diamond. It occurs when the maximum amount of light entering through the top of a diamond bounces inside from one facet to another and is then reflected back to the viewer’s eye.
Dispersion is a term that describes the flash of different colored light coming from the interior of a diamond. It occurs when white light is separated into its component rainbow colors as the light is passed through the facets of a diamond. Fire is another term used to describe dispersion.
Scintillation describes the quick flashes of light, resembling colorful, fiery sparks, reflected from a polished diamond. It occurs when the diamond, the light source, or the observer moves. Sparkle is another term for scintillation.
Color
The color of diamonds varies from colorless (highest quality) to many shades of yellow (less rare). The more colorless a diamond is, the rarer and more valuable it becomes as it appears whiter and brighter to the eye. Most diamonds have a slight trace of yellow, brown or gray body color. Color Grades are determined by using the letters of the alphabet. As the diamond reflects traces of yellow, the grading is reduced through the alphabet. The most respected system used today for evaluating diamond color was developed by the Gemological Institute of America, (GIA). Diamonds are graded on a color scale implemented by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which ranges from D to Z. Diamonds are found in all colors, but most diamonds we sell range in color from D to I . Colorless diamonds are graded D to F. Diamonds graded G to J are in the near colorless range. The difference of one color grade is very hard to see when the diamond is set. Diamonds are graded loose, under ideal lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy.
Understanding How Fluorescence Affects Diamonds
Fluorescence is a property that some diamonds possess. It makes the color of a diamond look whiter or yellower in different types of light and can also make the diamond look hazy. Gem quality diamonds usually fluoresce blue, but they can also fluoresce in other colors including white, yellow, and orange. Normally, fluorescence cannot be seen with the naked eye and fluorescence usually has no effect on a diamond’s appearance in regular incandescent light. Blue fluorescence can mask yellow tints in a diamond. That can make a diamond look whiter under sunlight or under a daylight-type fluorescent lamp than under regular incandescent light. Also, a white diamond that fluoresces yellow can look yellower than it really is. Most diamonds with no fluorescence or faint fluorescence cost more than diamonds with medium or strong fluorescence.
Clarity
Diamonds are a natural substance, and no two diamonds are exactly alike. Nature signs each of its creations with telltale inclusions, or internal flaws. A diamond with more inclusions will be less rare, so it will be less expensive. But this does not necessarily mean it will be less beautiful to the naked eye. Nature ensures that each diamond is as individual as the person who wears it. Naturally occurring inclusions such as minerals or fractures are identifying characteristics created while diamonds are formed in the earth. Inclusions are measured on a scale of perfection, known as clarity, which was established by GIA. The greater a diamond's clarity, the more rare and valuable it is. A diamond with a large inclusion will impact the reflection of light, making the diamond less brilliant. Diamonds are graded with 10X magnification. Completely flawless or internally flawless diamonds are very rare. Most diamonds have tiny flaws or inclusions, known as nature’s fingerprints, which occurred when the diamond crystal was formed millions of years ago. When inclusions do not materially interfere with the passage of light through the diamond, they don’t affect its beauty. Without magnification it is very difficult to see the difference between diamonds graded Flawless to Slightly Included, FL to SI. Most of the time inclusions are only visible to the unaided eye when the diamond's clarity reaches the Imperfect grades, I1 to I3. Clarity grades are based on the size, nature, relief and location of the inclusions.
Carat Weight
Carat is a diamond's measure of weight, not size. One full carat is equal to 100 points. A 3/4 carat diamond is the same as 75 points. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, a 1 carat diamond well cost more than twice a 1/2 carat diamond (assuming all other characteristics remain constant). The cut and the mounting can make a diamond appear larger than its actual weight. We can help you find the right balance between size, clarity, and color. The value of a diamond is determined by its rarity. Larger diamonds are not uncovered in the mining process as often as smaller diamonds. Thus larger stones are more precious and rare.
Conflict Diamonds
We have received inquiries from customers who have heard about “conflict diamonds” and who are legitimately concerned about any possible ethical ramifications of purchasing diamonds. In 2003, President Bush signed the “Clean Diamond Trade Act” into law, which works to exclude rough “conflict diamonds” from international trade while promoting legitimate trade.
At Bella Cosa we work only with suppliers and diamond producers that adhere to the Kimberley process. There are 43 participant countries, including the United States and the European community. Under the Kimberley Process, diamond-producing countries certify that diamonds have been mined and sold through legitimate channels. This program is designed to prevent conflict and illicit diamonds from entering the international mainstream diamond trade.
Care
Diamonds one of the hardest substances known. They resist damage by heat, scratching, and chemicals. Diamonds can only be cut or polished by another diamond. Keeping this in mind, it is still possible to damage a diamond with a sharp blow. All jewelry should be treated with care.
Cleaning Your Diamonds
The staff at Bella Cosa Jewelers is happy to clean your jewelry free of charge. Cleaning will bring back the original brilliance to your diamond that you enjoyed the first day you received it. We will also check the setting to see if the diamonds are secure. If you unable to come into the store to clean your jewelry, a combination of one part ammonia to two parts water can be a fantastic cleaner for your diamond jewelry set in gold or platinum. You can gently rub the jewelry with a soft brush to help free it of stuck on dirt.
Storing Your Diamond Jewelry
It is recommended to keep each piece of your diamond jewelry separate from each other when you store it. This will keep them from rubbing against and damaging your other fine jewelry pieces.