Store Fifty-Two

Buying A Diamond

With a proud history dating back to 1898, our family has been providing expert guidance to clients in the purchase of diamonds. As a fifth-generation family business, we are dedicated to maintaining the tradition of delivering quality and value to our clients. Our team of professional gemologists, master goldsmiths, seasoned buyers, and knowledgeable sales associates will arm you with an in-depth understanding of the four C's of diamonds - cut, color, clarity, and carat weight - as you make your choice for the perfect diamond.

THE IDEAL DIAMOND

The cutting of diamonds is guided by two main objectives: to extract the maximum weight from the rough diamond and to create the most aesthetically pleasing diamond. Only a tiny fraction of the thousands of diamonds cut each year are deemed to be true ideal diamonds. Out of every million diamonds mined, only one will possess the qualities necessary to earn the title of a Lux Bond & Green true ideal diamond. A true ideal diamond is a diamond that has been cut to precise standards of proportion, symmetry, and polish, which when combined, optimizes the amount of light that enters the diamond and minimizes the light lost from its sides and bottom. This results in a diamond that is exceptionally beautiful and brilliant.

Diamond Florescence

Fluorescence refers to the glow that occurs when a diamond is exposed to ultraviolet light. In most cases, diamonds with faint to medium fluorescence do not significantly affect their appearance. However, diamonds with strong fluorescence may impact the perceived color of the diamond. For instance, a yellowish diamond with strong blue fluorescence may appear less yellow under fluorescent lighting due to the strength of the fluorescence. The same diamond may appear differently under different lighting conditions, and vice versa - diamonds that emit a yellow fluorescence may appear more yellow under ultraviolet lighting, and whiter under incandescent lighting.

DIAMOND POLISH

The polish of a diamond plays a crucial role in determining its brilliance. It refers to the smoothness of the diamond's facets and the sharpness of their edges. Just like symmetry, the quality of the diamond's polish is rated on a scale ranging from excellent to poor, with excellent being the highest and poor being the lowest.

Diamond Symmetry

Symmetry refers to the precision in the shape and placement of facets on a diamond. A diamond's symmetry can be affected by various factors like an off-center table or culet, misaligned facets, irregularly shaped facets, and asymmetrical girdles. Poor symmetry can cause light to be refracted incorrectly as it enters and exits the diamond, reducing the stone's scintillation or sparkle. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS) use the following grades to evaluate symmetry: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. The AGS also includes an additional grade, "Ideal", which is higher than Excellent.