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All diamonds used by Joseph Sterling have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with UN resolutions. Our diamond sources guarantee that all diamonds supplied are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by the suppliers of these diamonds.
A good understanding of diamonds is necessary before you begin shopping. We've put the basics together here to help guide you. Learning about diamonds is really learning about the Four 'C's of diamonds - Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat weight. These are the criteria jewellers use when grading diamonds, and they're the ones you'll need to understand to find the right diamond for you.
Further information can be found at the GIA website. Click on the guide at the bottom of the page to find out more.
Cut
Cut is probably the most important, and most challenging, of the four 'C's to understand. The brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on its cut. Joseph Sterling carries only the better grades of diamond cut, to ensure that your jewellery is as beautiful as possible. This guide will show you how to select a diamond with the best cut that your budget allows.
Clarity
Most diamonds contain some inner flaws, or inclusions, that occur during the formation process. The visibility, number and size of these inclusions determine what is called the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance, and thus are more highly prized, and priced. This guide shows you how to find the best grade of clarity for you.
Colour
Colourless diamonds are traditionally considered the most desirable since they allow the most refraction of light (sparkle). Off white diamonds absorb light, inhibiting brilliance. To ensure that your Joseph Sterling jewellery is of the highest quality, we've pre-selected our diamonds to eliminate those of lesser colour grades. Read on to understand how colour affects a diamond and how to choose the best grade for your budget.
Carat Weight
A carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. Because large diamonds are found less commonly than small diamonds, the price of a diamond rises per carat the bigger you go. Read this guide to get a better understanding of what a carat is and how it affects the appearance of a diamond.
Certificates
The diamond certificate, which is sometimes called a grading report, is a complete evaluation of your diamond that has been performed by a qualified professional with the help of special gemmological instruments. Each stone bears its own recognizable, individual characteristics, which are listed on the certificate. This guide will help you understand why a certificate is so important when buying a diamond.
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GIA
The Gemological Institute of America, or GIA, is a non-profit institute dedicated to research and education in the field of gemology.
The GIA is also well known for its gem identification and grading services, and developed the famous "four Cs" (Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat weight) methodology of grading diamonds. Although the GIA is best known for its activities in relation to diamonds, the institute is also involved with colored gemstones and pearls.
The GIA was founded in 1931 by Robert Shipley in Los Angeles, California. Today, the institute is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, north of San Diego.
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