Diamond 101: A Sparkling Guide to Buying Your Next Best Friend

Diamonds! These glittering marvels have been charming us for centuries. But when it comes to buying one, there's more to consider than just its ability to dazzle us speechless. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, there's always something new to learn about these glittering gems. That's why we at Forsythe Jewelers are thrilled to help you uncover the secrets of diamonds. After all, these are not just pretty rocks - they're nature's grandest show of beauty!

The Art of Diamond Cut: Breathing Life into Light

It's like magic! Diamonds breathe in light and exhale fire when cut correctly.  A diamond's cut determines how well it transforms light into a show-stopping sparkle. Like an artist with a block of marble, expert diamond cutters shape the stone with precision, releasing its hidden brilliance. When you step into Forsythe Jewelers, every diamond you see has been hand-selected to ensure the cut is up to our standards and to ensure the fire within it is unleashed in all its glory.  Out of all the 4C’s, the cut of a diamond is what most significantly impacts a diamond’s beauty. 

diamond cut graph

Color me Dazzled!

Diamonds might be famous for their crystal-clear quality, but did you know they come in an array of hues, from ultra-rare blue to romantic pink? Each color comes with a unique personality, and our job is to help you find the one that matches yours.  Color grading starts with the colorless diamond, a grade of D. Think colorless, like a drop of spring water! The scale progresses into near colorless, starting with a grade of G, then transitions to a faint yellow, starting with a grade of K. Finally, the scale moves along into very faint and light yellow before a diamond is considered a fancy color! Whether you're a traditionalist aiming for the colorless or a trendsetter looking for a touch of color, Forsythe Jewelers has a diamond with your name on it.

gia color scale

Crystal Clear: Clarity Unveiled

A diamond’s clarity tells the story of its journey from deep within the earth to the showcase at Forsythe Jewelers. Every little inclusion and blemish is a testament to its authenticity. Clarity grading starts with a grade of F, which stands for flawless. Diamonds with this grading are free from all blemishes and inclusions. Continuing, the scale enters the VVS1 and VVS2 range. These diamonds have minute inclusions that are difficult to see under 10x magnification. Diamonds with a grading of VS1 or VS2 have minor inclusions. With a VS1 grading, it’s difficult to see the inclusions face up with 10x magnification., but with a VS2 grading, it’s somewhat easy to see them. The scale then transitions to gradings of SI1 and SI2, which indicates that inclusions are noticeable and easy or very easy to see face-up under 10x magnification. The scale concludes with I1, I2, and I3 gradings. Diamonds that fall into these categories have noticeable or prominent inclusions visible to the unaided eye. For context, if you’ve seen a salt and pepper diamond, you’ve seen a diamond that has an I3 grading. Whatever you’re drawn to, we have diamonds across the clarity spectrum. Each has its own unique characteristics and charm that are ready for you to discover! While shopping for your perfect diamond, we will show you your diamond's unique inclusion under high magnification so you can see mother nature’s unique fingerprint, as well as special shapes and treasures that make our diamonds truly unique to you.

diamond clarity scale graph

Carat Size: Does Size Matter?

Sure, a larger diamond can be impressive, but remember, size isn't everything! When it comes to diamonds, quality should never be overshadowed by carat size.  You can have the largest diamond in the world, but if the color and clarity are not what you’re seeking, and most importantly, if the diamond was cut with a butter knife, you will never get that beautiful sparkle that is so alluring.  Whether you're eyeing a subtle solitaire or a statement piece, we'll help you strike the perfect balance between the four C's: cut, color, clarity, and carat.

Forsythe Jewelers: A Gem in the Jewelry World

We're not your average jewelers. We're proud members of the American Gem Society and home to not one but two certified gemologists (including our incredible on-site jeweler). That's a lot of credentials, we know. Our entire staff is dedicated to furthering their education in order to better serve you. It’s this high level of dedication and passion that sets us apart. If you know us, you know our passion doesn’t stop at diamonds. We love what we do, and it shows in everything we do! When all is said and done, it’s no surprise the business has been around for nearly 100 years.  If you want to get to know us better, check out our bios here or just say hi! 

So, what's the takeaway from our crash course in diamonds? While diamonds are incredibly beautiful, their beauty is much more than skin-deep. Understanding these four aspects can help you choose a diamond that's perfect for you. And when you're ready to make your choice, our experts at Forsythe Jewelers will be here, ready to guide you every step of the way.  We hand-select our diamonds and ensure that the cut, color, and clarity are true to their representation.  We pride ourselves on our diamond selection process and promise it will be a unique experience you won’t forget!  

But wait - There’s more!  Coming in to look at loose diamonds is not just for finding or creating the perfect engagement ring!  Although we do love to create custom engagement rings, we are also known for shaking things up. After all, you deserve it!  Come pick out a diamond for a new pendant, to add to an existing ring, upgrade an old ring, create diamond studs, or just because!  How often do you get an open invitation to hold one of Earth’s oldest treasures and marvel at its beauty?  If you're interested, book an appointment and come learn about these dazzling beauties with us! 

Dive into our world of sparkling wonders at Forsythe Jewelers, where buying a diamond is as enjoyable as wearing one. Your perfect diamond awaits!

Adrienne Fleming

Adrienne Fleming

Adrienne is one of our newest members at Forsythe Jewelers and has hit the ground running!  Having previously worked in the world of fashion, Adrienne’s sense of style and ability to help others find that certain something special really shines through.  Outside of fashion, Adrienne has worked at Yellowstone National Park and most recently as a bartender and events crew member at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY.  When she is not at work, she can be found hiking, rooting for the NY Rangers, reading true crime novels, and checking out all the great cafes and restaurants the area has to offer. 

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