Teach yourself the 4c's handbook
Before you select a diamond you'll want to learn more about what determines a diamonds beauty and value. Andrews Jewelers "Teach Yourself the 4C's Handbook" will make learning about diamonds a snap, in it you'll cover the 4C's of diamonds - Cut, Color, Clarity, & Carat Weight. You can also download a PDF version of the handbook for easy reading or call to speak to a GIA trained Andrews Jewelers diamond professional at 716-630-7091.
Once you've finished reading our handbook you'll have all the knowledge you need to make a decision like a trained professional would, you'll also have more confidence when choosing your engagement ring or diamond jewelry.
Shape
Years ago the shape was very closely associated with a diamond's cut and many people get them confused.The cut mostly determines the brilliance, light performance, and proportions of a diamond while the shape defines the overall silhouette or outline of the diamond. The most popular shapes today are the round and princess cuts, other shapes that are commonly purchased are the marquise and Asscher cuts. To learn more about diamond shapes visit the shape section.
Cut
The cut of a diamond is the process that the diamond cutter uses to bring the brilliance and sparkle out of the diamond. The cutters skills and ability to masterfully facet and form the diamond is what determines how much light is reflected through the diamond as well as how big the diamond looks. A poorly cut diamond can be much less brilliant, smaller looking, and less valuable than a finely cut diamond even though both diamonds have the exact color and clarity grade. Andrews Jewelers chooses only diamonds that have been cut to reflect the most amount of light. Read the cut section to learn more about a diamonds cut.
Color
Diamonds are rated for color based on the amount of shading. For the most part, the typical diamond color range consists of the colorless (lack of any color), very light yellow, and light browns. The diamond industry has created a universally accepted scale that rates the various shades and depth of color that a diamond may have within this normal range. Some color grades have almost unnoticeable differences to the human eye but can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars. Andrews Jewelers carries diamonds of all color grades and we can help you find the right color grade for your diamond jewelry or diamond engagement ring depending on your budget and the ring style that you want. To learn more about choosing the right color for your diamond engagement ring read the color section
Clarity
Diamonds with little to no imperfections are very rare and become much more valuable. The number, intensity, and location of the imperfections determine the clarity grade of a diamond. Some imperfections can be seen to the naked eye and some can only be seen under 10x's magnification. Although many people seek to find diamonds with as little imperfections as possible, it doesn't always guarantee that you'll get a diamond with more brilliance or shine. Andrews Jewelers selects its diamonds based on the important factors including clarity, color, and price. Learn how you can select the right diamond clarity and avoid paying more than you have to for a suitable clarity.
Carat Weight
A diamond is valued and measured by weight, not by size. The unit of measurement used for weight in diamonds is the carat; a full one-carat diamond weighs 1.00ct or 100 carat points. The heavier a diamond is the more valuable it is and the heavier diamond weights become exponentially more valuable that lighter weights. Read more to learn how the weight of a diamond can affect its value.
Certification
The most important topic for you to learn about before selecting your dream diamond is the certification process. Certifications are grading reports performed by graduate gemologists in a scientific laboratory. The grading reports are unbiased and professional opinions on a diamond's color, clarity, carat weight, and cut grade. This is your assurance that what you are buying has been accurately assessed using the 4C's. Learn more about what to look for in the certification grading reports and how to choosethe perfect engagement ring diamond.
Care
Like any prized item a diamond ring requires maintenance and care to keep it looking beautiful. Although diamonds are the hardest substance on Earth there are some things you should know about owning your diamond ring Read more and Andrews Jewelers will tell you everything you need to know about caring for your new ring.