Helpful Information
BIRTHSTONES
Here's a chart of the birthstones by month from the American Gem Society.
Here's a chart of the gemstones to give by anniversary year:
1st anniversary Mother-of-Pearl
2nd Anniversary Garnet
3rd Annivesary Moonstone
4th Anniversary Blue Topaz
5th Anniversary Rose Quartz
6th Anniversary Amethyst
7th Anniversary Onyx
8th Anniversary Tourmaline
9th Anniversary Lapis Lazuli
10th Anniversary Crystal
11th Anniversary Turquoise
12th Anniversary Jade
13th Anniversary Citrine
14th Anniversary Opal
15th Anniversary Alexandrite
16th Anniversary Peridot
17th Anniversary Carnelian
18th Anniversary Tigereye
19th Anniversary Aquamarine
20th Anniversary Emerald
21st Anniversary Iolite
22nd Anniversary Zircon
23rd Anniversary Yellow Topaz
24th Anniversary Tanzanite
25th Anniversary Sterling Silver
30th Anniversary Pearl
35th Anniversary Emerald
40th Anniversary Ruby
45th Anniversary Sapphire
50th Anniversary Gold Vermeil
60th Anniversary Diamond
General Diamond Buying Information
THE "FOUR C'S" OF DIAMONDS
Fine diamonds are among the most coveted of all gems. Their value, however, differs widely from one diamond to another. Experts evaluate every diamond for rarity and beauty, using four primary guidelines. These are called The Four C's—Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight.
CUT:
When you think of the cut, you probably think of the shape of the diamond. You are partially correct. While cut does refer to shape, it also refers to the proportions of how the diamond is actually cut.
Diamonds are cut into many different shapes, reflecting not only popular taste but the proportions and quality of the rough diamond. The most popular shapes include Round, Oval, Square, Princess, Emerald, Baquette, and Marquise cuts. Many specialty shapes are also available.
A diamond's overall proportions, as well as the size and placement of its many reflective surfaces or facets, also play a large part in "cut." The consistency and balance of these can greatly affect how the stone captures light and reflects it back to the eye.
COLOR:
With the exception of some fancy colored diamonds, the most valuable diamonds are those with the least color. The color scale for transparent diamonds runs from D-F (colorless), G-J (near colorless), K-L (faint yellow), to Z (light yellow). Completely colorless diamonds are rare.
When diamonds are formed with traces of other minerals, rare and beautiful colors can result. These "fancy" colors range from blue to brilliant yellow to red, brown, pale green, pink, and violet. Because of their rarity, colored diamonds are highly desirable and may be quite valuable.
CLARITY:
A diamond's clarity is measured by the existence, or absence, of visible flaws. Tiny surface blemishes or internal inclusions -- even those seen only under magnification with a jeweler's loupe -- can alter the brilliance of the diamond and, thus, effects its value. Clarity levels begin with Flawless (F & IF) and move down to Very Very Slight (VVS1 & 2), Very Slight (VS1 & 2), Slightly Included (SI1 & 2), and Included (I1, 2 & 3).
FL, IF Diamonds Flawless: No internal or external flaws Internally Flawless: No internal flaws
VVS1, VVS2 Diamonds Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see inclusions under 10% magnification.
VS1, VS2 Diamonds Very Slightly included: Inclusions are not typically visible to the unaided eye,
SI1, SI2 Diamonds Slightly included: Inclusions are visible under 10× magnification and may be visible to the unaided eye.
I1, I2, I3 Diamonds Included: Inclusions are visible with the unaided eye.
CARAT WEIGHT:
The size of a diamond is measured, not by its dimensions, but by weight. One carat, the traditional unit of measure for diamonds, is equal to approximately 0.2 grams. You may also hear the weight of a diamond referred to in points. A point is equal to 1/100 of a carat; therefore, a 75-point diamond equals 0.75 carat. Diamonds of equal weight may appear slightly different in size, depending on their depth and proportions. Because they are quite rare, larger diamonds of gem quality are much more valuable.
