We educate first. Always.
Diamond Education: How to Choose a Diamond With Confidence
The 4 Cs, diamond shapes, grading reports and natural vs lab grown, explained in plain English by your Mount Pocono family jeweler. Read it here, then come see the difference for yourself through a jeweler's loupe.
Start Here
The 4 Cs of Diamonds at a Glance
Every diamond is graded on four qualities. Together they decide how a diamond looks and what it costs. Tap any one to jump to the full explanation.
Cut
How well a diamond is shaped and polished to reflect light. The biggest factor in sparkle.
02Color
How colorless a diamond is, graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z.
03Clarity
How free a diamond is from tiny internal and surface characteristics.
04Carat
How much a diamond weighs. Not the same as how big it looks.
The First C
Diamond Cut: Where the Sparkle Comes From
Cut is the most important of the 4 Cs, and the most misunderstood. It doesn't mean the shape. It means how well a diamond's facets are angled and proportioned to capture light and send it back to your eye.
A well cut diamond shows three kinds of beauty:
- Brightness: the white light reflected back from the diamond
- Fire: flashes of rainbow color as light splits apart
- Scintillation: the sparkle and pattern of light and dark as the diamond moves
For round diamonds, the GIA grades cut as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or Poor, based on brightness, fire and scintillation along with weight ratio, durability, polish and symmetry.
The Second C
Diamond Color: The Less, the Rarer
Most white diamonds are graded on how little color they have. The GIA color scale runs from D, completely colorless, to Z, which shows a light yellow or brown tint. Many of these differences are so subtle that only a trained grader can see them side by side, yet they can change the price significantly.
The Third C
Diamond Clarity: Nature's Fingerprints
Natural diamonds form under tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth, which leaves tiny internal characteristics called inclusions and surface marks called blemishes. Clarity grades consider their number, size, type and position, and how they affect the diamond's appearance.
The Fourth C
Carat Weight: Size Isn't Everything
Carat measures weight, not size. One carat equals 0.2 grams and is divided into 100 points, so a half carat diamond may be called a "50 pointer."
All else being equal, price rises with carat weight because larger diamonds are rarer. But two diamonds of the same weight can be worth very different amounts depending on their cut, color and clarity. And a well cut diamond can look larger face up than a heavier one that's cut deep.
Shape Is Not Cut
Popular Diamond Shapes Explained
Round is the most popular diamond shape. Every other shape is called a fancy shape, and each has its own personality.
Round
The classic choice, cut for maximum sparkle and the most brilliant of all shapes.
Oval
Brilliant sparkle with an elongated outline that looks larger for its weight and flatters the finger.
Princess
A square shape with sharp corners and lots of sparkle. A modern favorite.
Cushion
Soft rounded corners and a romantic, vintage feel.
Emerald
Long step cut facets create a clean, elegant hall of mirrors effect.
Pear
A graceful teardrop that blends round and marquise shapes.
Marquise
A long, pointed shape that maximizes how large the diamond looks.
Radiant
A rectangle or square with trimmed corners and brilliant sparkle.
Asscher
A square step cut with an Art Deco look and layered depth.
Heart
The ultimate romantic shape, best in larger sizes so the outline stays clear.
Beyond the 4 Cs
What Smart Diamond Buyers Also Ask About
These details rarely make the headlines, but they matter when you compare diamonds.
Grading Reports
An independent grading report from a lab such as GIA or IGI documents a diamond's 4 Cs and measurements. Always ask for the report, and ask your jeweler to explain it in plain English.
Fluorescence
Some diamonds glow, usually blue, under UV light. Faint fluorescence rarely affects appearance and can lower the price, while very strong fluorescence can occasionally make a diamond look hazy.
Natural vs Lab Grown
Both are real diamonds with the same chemical makeup. Natural diamonds are rarer and generally hold value better, while lab grown diamonds cost less, so you can often choose a larger stone.
The Setting and Metal
The setting protects your diamond as well as shows it off. Choose a design that balances beauty, comfort and durability for your everyday life.
Learn It Hands On
See the Difference for Yourself in Our Mount Pocono Store
Reading about diamonds helps. Seeing them side by side is where it all clicks. Here's what happens when you visit.
Look Through the Loupe
We'll hand you a jeweler's loupe and show you inclusions, facets and what grades really mean.
Compare Side by Side
See how cut, color and clarity change a diamond's look when stones sit right next to each other.
View in Everyday Light
We'll show you diamonds away from the spotlights, so you know how they'll look in real life.
Understand the Report
We'll walk you through the grading report line by line, so you know exactly what you're buying.
Keep It Brilliant
How to Care for Your Diamond Jewelry
A few simple habits keep your diamond sparkling and secure for a lifetime.
Clean It Gently
Soak in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, then brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry.
Take It Off for Hard Work
Remove rings for heavy lifting, gardening, cleaning with chemicals and swimming in chlorinated pools.
Store It Separately
Diamonds can scratch other jewelry, so keep pieces in separate pouches or compartments.
Have It Checked Yearly
Bring your jewelry in once a year so we can check the prongs and setting, and enjoy a free professional cleaning.
Questions and Answers
Diamond Buying FAQs
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
Which of the 4 Cs is most important?
Cut, because it has the biggest effect on sparkle. A beautifully cut diamond can outshine a larger or higher graded stone that's cut poorly.
What color and clarity give the best value?
For many buyers, near colorless (G to J) and eye clean clarity (often VS or SI) offer the best balance of beauty and price. The right choice depends on the shape, setting and your budget, and we'll show you examples side by side.
What is a diamond grading report?
It's an independent document from a lab such as GIA or IGI that records a diamond's cut, color, clarity, carat weight and measurements. It helps you compare diamonds fairly and know exactly what you're buying.
Are lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. Lab grown diamonds have the same chemical and physical makeup as natural diamonds. They differ in origin, rarity, price and long term value.
Is a bigger carat weight always better?
Not necessarily. A well cut diamond can look larger and brighter than a heavier diamond with a poor cut. Balance carat with cut, color and clarity.
How do I clean my diamond at home?
Soak it in warm water with a little mild dish soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse and pat dry. For a deeper clean, stop by for a free professional cleaning.
Can I browse jewelry online before I visit?
Yes. Browse our online collection anytime. The prices shown are suggested retail, and we can often do better in store. Then visit us to see diamonds in person and compare them side by side.
Where are you located?
We're at 1418 Pocono Blvd in Mount Pocono, PA 18344, a short drive from Tannersville, Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Pocono Pines and Blakeslee.
Visit Our Mount Pocono Store
Ready to Put Your Knowledge to Work?
Bring your questions. We'll bring the loupe, the diamonds and honest answers, with no pressure and no rush.
James Diamond Jewelry
1418 Pocono Blvd, Mount Pocono, PA 18344
570.839.8384
Helping diamond buyers in Mount Pocono, Tannersville, Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, Pocono Pines, Pocono Summit, Blakeslee, Swiftwater, Scotrun and communities throughout the Pocono Mountains.
