From engagements to anniversaries, people often give diamonds to loved ones to mark special occasions. Beyond carat size and clarity, there are numerous factors that determine the value of these gemstones and influence how much you’ll pay. To find a beautiful bauble to give as a gift or add to your jewelry collection, read below. 

A Guide to Shopping for Diamonds 

1. Color

Normal diamond colors range from clear to light yellow and brown. A colorless stone is the rarest and, therefore, the most valuable and highest priced. When browsing the selection at a jewelry store, pay attention to the letter grade on the certification. This gives an indication of tone and saturation. The Gemological Institute of America grades diamond color on a scale from D to Z, with D being colorless and Z with a light yellow hue.

2. Cut

How light bounces off surfaces depends on the diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish. Referred to as the cut, this contributes to the “wow factor” of the stone. Cut grades include poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent. When looking at a high-grade stone in light, you’ll see colored light reflecting off the surfaces.

3. Ethical Practices

Diamonds are mined under various conditions. Some companies are guilty of human rights violations—using forced labor for harvesting and helping fund civil wars and other unrest. Some mining practices also pose risks to the environment. So your money doesn’t support unethical practices, only purchase conflict-free, ethically-mined stones. 

To shop an array of conflict-free and ethically-sourced precious gemstones, contact Somos Designer Jewelry Gallery in Rockland County, NY. Since opening in 1979, the shop has gained a loyal following of customers who want to create custom jewelry and have existing pieces modified. The experienced jewelers can also repair gold, platinum, and silver pieces. Browse their collections online and call (845) 348-0800 to speak with a representative. See pictures of their jewelry on Facebook.