{"id":28,"date":"2015-09-13T16:19:50","date_gmt":"2015-09-13T20:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ndrdiamond.com\/blog\/?p=28"},"modified":"2026-05-15T05:51:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:51:34","slug":"what-diamond-quality-do-i-really-need-to-buy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ndrdiamond.com\/blog\/what-diamond-quality-do-i-really-need-to-buy\/","title":{"rendered":"What diamond quality do I really need to buy?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What quality of diamond do I really need to buy?<\/p>\n

If you expected an easy answer to this question I am sorry to have to disappoint you.<\/p>\n

In everything in life, whether it is the purchase of an automobile or a house, we all start out with wanting our \u201cdream\u201d car or our \u201cdream home”. In most cases, we make sacrifices when faced with the reality that our dream waterfront or mountainside home is beyond our financial reach. Such is life. And, in most cases, such is the search for the \u201cperfect\u201d diamond.<\/p>\n

By this point in your search I assume that the reader is familiar with the Four \u201cCs\u201d of a diamond: the Carat (weight), the Cut (this applies to shape as well as cut proportions), the Color, and the Clarity. Each of these factors significantly affects the \u201ccost\u201d of a diamond. This is true whether one is, like me, a wholesale dealer or a retail consumer.<\/p>\n

The most significant factor of the \u201cFour C\u2019s\u201d is the carat weight. Unlike going to a supermarket where one buys a 16-ounce (1lb) prime steak for $15.00 and a 32-ounce (2lb) prime steak for $30.00, the price of a larger diamond increases exponentially. For instance if a hypothetical 1.00 carat costs $10,000.00 that same diamond would cost approximately $20,000.00 if it weighed 1.50 carats. This diamond would cost approximately $35,000.00 in a 2.00 carat diamond. Conversely, this diamond would cost only about $4500.00 in a 0.75 carat diamond and a 0.50 carat diamond approximately $2500.00. The reason for this is twofold. On one hand, diamonds are priced per carat so the weight differential is part of the reason. On the other hand, each diamond is a rare natural gemstone and larger diamonds are much more rare than a smaller diamond.<\/p>\n

As for the \u201cCut\u201d, this is also a difficult factor to explain. It entails two different things. Firstly, there is the shape of the diamond \u2013 Round Brilliant, Oval, Cushion Cut, Princess Cut, Radiant, Emerald Cut, etc. There is also the factor of depth and table measurements and facet angles and other considerations. Because each diamond starts out as a \u201crough\u201d diamond unearthed in a mine, the final price of a diamond is affected by the \u201creturn yield\u201d of the rough diamond compared to the weight of the finished diamond. Because more rough diamond is lost in the cutting of a Round Brilliant diamond as opposed to all other shapes, a Round Brilliant diamond is usually the most expensive shape.<\/p>\n

The final two C\u2019s are much more esoteric and difficult to understand. These involve the \u201ccolor\u201d and \u201cclarity\u201d of a diamond. As previously stated, diamonds are a work of nature and each diamond is a unique creation. This being the case, diamonds can be absolutely colorless or they most likely will have some degree of \u201cless white\u201d or in some cases may have a slight or apparent tinge of yellow. It is believed that a whiter diamond is more beautiful than a diamond that has some tinge of yellow. For this reason, whiter diamonds are more expensive and more sought after than a more yellow diamond.<\/p>\n

As for clarity, diamonds being the natural creation that they are, practically every diamond is naturally formed in a \u201cless-than-perfect\u201d molecular structure. If a diamond were a perfect molecular structure it would be a perfectly clear crystal. Although this is just a guess, I would say that this happens less than one-in-a\u2013gazillion times. In practically all diamonds there is some kind of flaw or inclusion or imperfection – as is true with many things in life! Most diamonds are very much included and have many imperfections. It is the diamond that has very few and minor inclusions that become an engagement diamond (as opposed to being used for industrial usage).<\/p>\n

In recent years, the Gemological Institute of America has established criteria that has become the cornerstone of diamond grading with relation the color and clarity of a diamond.<\/p>\n

\"GIA-color-chart-copy-copy\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"GIA-ClarityScale\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As you can see from the charts above, GIA grading terminology distinguishes twenty-three (23) grades of diamond color and assigns alphabetical color grades beginning with \u201cD\u201d through \u201cZ\u201d. The color \u201cD\u201d represents absolute white color with each subsequent color being slightly less white. Furthermore, GIA has assigned five general categories to its letter grades.<\/p>\n

In its clarity grading system, GIA has distinguishes 10 clarity grades. These clarity grades range from IF (Internally Flawless) and continue though a continuum to \u201cI3\u201d (Imperfect, eye visible inclusions).<\/p>\n

I do not mean to be disrespectful of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for I am a graduate of this esteemed institution. However if one considers all the possible combinations of GIA color and clarity grades there are two hundred and twenty (220) possible combinations of color and clarity. Diamond grading, in my opinion, is ridiculous and overdone.<\/p>\n

As a consumer, one might think that there is a science to all this. One might also think that there are significant differences between each color grade and\/or clarity grade. I can tell you as a fact that I have known of several diamonds that have been submitted to GIA and have received different grades on separate GIA reports. I had a recent experience in which the same diamond was submitted twice to GIA and received a grading combination that was three grades different in color and one grade different in clarity on the GIA grading report. The same diamond!! Yes, this is an unusual occurrence but it is true.<\/p>\n

Sometimes I think the world made more sense when one purchased a diamond based on the \u201cbeauty\u201d of a diamond as determined by one\u2019s own eyes and the trust of the local established jeweler rather than on a piece of paper issued by a grading laboratory!<\/p>\n

So, where does that leave us today? We are in a world where the consumer in many cases is not buying a diamond \u2013 they are buying a piece of paper. And we are also in a world where we all want the best of everything. So, naturally, when we are buying a diamond we go into this thinking that we must have a \u201cD\u201d color, \u2018IF\u201d or \u201cVVS\u201d clarity because that is the best (and we all want the best!).<\/p>\n

Yes, a \u201cD\u201d-\u201cFlawless\u201d diamond is the best. And yes, a diamond with a color grade of “M-N-O-P\u201d is going to be somewhat yellower in color than a \u201cD\u201d color diamond. Yes, a flawless diamond will be brighter and more sparkly than a diamond that has a clarity grade of \u201cI2\u201d or \u201cI3\u201d. But there are many grades in between \u201cD\u201d-\u201cFL\u201d and the lower parts of the scales that are exceptionally beautiful diamonds.<\/p>\n

If you look again at the GIA grading scales above you will see that there are significant yellow tones in the higher alphabet letters that represent the color grades. You will also see that the difference between \u201cD\u201d color and \u201cI\u201d are, in reality, very subtle and insignificant. Although harder to see on this chart, the difference between a \u201cJ\u201d color and an \u201cM\u201d color are much more apparent. And, believe me, I have seen some \u201cM\u201d color diamonds that are very beautiful and look white. In fact, if you knew what most people out there have in their engagement ring you might be shocked!<\/p>\n

The same can be said with regard to the GIA clarity-grading scheme. Yes, there is a significant difference between an \u201cIF\u201d and an \u201cI2\u201d or an \u201cI3\u201d, but once again, look at the examples as provided on the GIA grading scale above. The difference between a \u2018SI\u201d grade and an \u201cI1\u201d or \u201cI2\u201d grade is much more significant than the difference between \u201cFL\u201d and \u201cVS2\u201d.<\/p>\n

It should be remembered that diamond clarity grading deals with degrees of inclusions visible under 10X magnification. Obviously a flawless diamond (which as previously mentioned is a one-in-a gazillion) has no inclusions that can be found under magnification. But the differences, by definition, between \u201cVVS\u201d and \u201cSI\u201d is the difference between an inclusion that is \u201cvery, very slightly included and difficult to see\u201d and \u201csomewhat easy to see\u201d under 10x magnification!! Yes, the \u201cI1\u201d,\u201dI2\u201d and \u201cI3\u201d grades are much different. These diamonds usually have inclusions that are seen without magnification and, in many cases (especially \u201cI2\u201d and \u201cI3\u201d), the inclusions affect the overall brilliance and sparkle of the diamond and these diamonds may be lifeless and not beautiful at all.<\/p>\n

At this point it is necessary to look at this information in the context of price. A 1.00 carat \u201cD-Flawless\u201d Round Brilliant diamond is priced at approximately $27,500.00 on the wholesale diamond market. A 1.00 carat \u201cF-VS2\u201d Round Brilliant diamond is approximately $10,000.00. The same Round Brilliant 1.00 carat diamond in a \u201cH-SI1\u201d is approximately $7,500.00. FYI, this 1.00 Round Brilliant diamond in a \u201cM-I3\u201d grade is priced at approximately $1200.00!<\/p>\n

To put these different prices into further perspective, recall the discussion above about the affect of the diamond size with regard to price. Quite simply, a \u201cH-SI1\u201d grade 1.00 carat Round Brilliant costs approximately $7500.00. The same grade diamond will cost $25,000.00 in a 2.00 carat diamond. To change it up a bit, a 1.00 \u201cF-VS2\u201d Round Brilliant diamond will cost approximately $10,000.00. It would cost approximately $38,000.00 in a 2.00 carat diamond! It should be noted that most diamond buyers tend to lower their quality \u201cstandards\u201d as their desired size requirement increases.<\/p>\n

Buying a diamond is a matter of balancing. One must balance size, color, clarity and – most importantly – price. I have many times looked at a prospective diamond buyer who comes in with \u201cPie in the Sky\u201d requirements for what he or she \u201cneeds\u201d and I have asked, \u201cWho do you need to impress?\u201d<\/p>\n

A diamond is something that you buy for someone that you love. It is often purchased at the beginning of a long-term commitment that one makes as a symbol of one\u2019s love and a commitment to another. Yes, you want to purchase a beautiful diamond. I would hope that you get good honest advice from a knowledgeable jeweler. But keep in mind that there are beautiful diamonds in this world that are not \u201cD-IF\u201d. Also keep in mind that your loved one and family and friends will not be using a magnifying glass when they admire your loved one\u2019s diamond engagement ring.<\/p>\n

For what it is worth, I get my diamonds for a wholesale price. My wife has a diamond that is an \u201cI\u201d color and \u201cSI1\u201d clarity.**  When I see it on her hand it is not yellow at all. Under normal circumstances, it has as much fire and brilliance as a \u201cD\u201d color, \u201cInternally Flawless\u201d. With forty-plus years of experience in the diamond and jewelry industry, I know it is a beautiful diamond but most importantly, she thinks it is too!!<\/p>\n

* * * * * *<\/p>\n

* *\ufffc In the spirit of honesty and transparency, I have recently swapped my wife’s diamond for a new diamond. The original diamond was a round diamond that she received before we were married. Her new diamond is A Cushion Brilliant shape which is a “H” color and “VS2” clarity. If you read my posts you will see that my recommendations for round diamonds are somewhat different than my recommendations on fancy cut diamonds.     (05\/02\/2023)<\/p>\n\n\n

** For a thorough understanding of diamond qualities, I encourage the reader to read the article “Diamond Quality Factors” on the GIA website. This is a link to “Diamond Quality Factors<\/a>“.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What quality of diamond do I really need to buy? If you expected an easy answer to this question I am sorry to have to disappoint you. In everything in life, whether it is the purchase of an automobile or a house, we all start out with wanting our \u201cdream\u201d car or our \u201cdream home”. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat diamond quality do I really need to buy? – N D Reiff Company - Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"GIA diamond grading simplified. 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To me, this is not just a tagline for advertising purposes.\u00a0 It reflects a commitment\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Diamond"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":26,"url":"https:\/\/www.ndrdiamond.com\/blog\/excellent-cut-in-a-fancy-shape-diamond-oval-cushion-cut-emerald-cut-pear-shape-radiant-cut-princess-cut\/","url_meta":{"origin":28,"position":1},"title":"Excellent Cut in a Fancy Shape Diamond","date":"March 13, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"Many diamond buyers who are in the market for a Fancy Shape diamond are searching for an \"Excellent Cut\" diamond. \"Fancy Shape\" - is the generic terminology for an Oval, Cushion Cut, Emerald Cut, Pear Shape, Princess Cut , Radiant Cut and all other non-round diamonds. These buyers must be\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Diamond"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ndrdiamond.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/1.70-CushionASISmall.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":16,"url":"https:\/\/www.ndrdiamond.com\/blog\/how-important-is-polish-and-symmetry-in-a-diamond-certificate\/","url_meta":{"origin":28,"position":2},"title":"How important is Polish and Symmetry in a Diamond Certificate?","date":"March 13, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"How important is Polish and Symmetry in a Diamond Certificate. This question is one that arises in my business several times every week. The typical request comes in for a \"Triple Excellent\" of for \"EX\/EX\/EX\" diamond. To begin with, one must understand that \"Triple Excellent\" applies only to Round Brilliant\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 1 comment","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":356,"url":"https:\/\/www.ndrdiamond.com\/blog\/truth-blue-nile-internet-diamonds\/","url_meta":{"origin":28,"position":3},"title":"The Truth about Blue Nile and Internet Diamond Companies.","date":"January 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"There is no doubt within the jewelry industry that online sellers such as Blue Nile have revolutionized the ways that many consumers purchase their engagement diamond.\u00a0 Blue Nile, as well as a multitude of other online sellers, offers a virtual database of diamonds to internet shoppers at prices that were\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"Blue Nile\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.ndrdiamond.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/1.70-CushionASISmall.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":621,"url":"https:\/\/www.ndrdiamond.com\/blog\/my-recommended-gia-diamond-quality-grade-has-changed-part-ii-fancy-shape-diamonds\/","url_meta":{"origin":28,"position":4},"title":"My Recommended GIA Diamond Quality Grade Has Changed - Part II: Fancy Shape Diamonds","date":"December 31, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"In a previous post I offered my recommendations that I believe offer the consumer\/diamond purchaser the best balance of quality and price with regard to acquiring a beautiful diamond at a fair and reasonable price. This blog post is found within this site. The purpose of this post or addendum\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"GIA Color grade\"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":140,"url":"https:\/\/www.ndrdiamond.com\/blog\/ndr-diamond-grading\/","url_meta":{"origin":28,"position":5},"title":"NDR Diamond Grading","date":"July 1, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 NDR Diamond Grading Chart Investment Grade Investment Grade\u00a0consists of those diamonds typically purchased for long term investment. 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