Sophia

Cut is considered by many to be the most important “C.” When looking for the center stone for an 8 carat diamond ring, we recommend that you select the best cut quality you can. A poorly cut diamond, no matter how great its color and clarity is, will not compare in sparkle and flicker to …

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What are hearts and arrows? The term “Hearts and Arrows” (H&A) refers to the 8 hearts and 8 arrows that are visible from the top and bottom (respectively) of a round brilliant diamond with a high cut quality. Though there is no official industry standard for hearts and arrows, there are several things one can …

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The color of a diamond refers to the tone and saturation of color, or the depth of color in a diamond. The color of a diamond can range from colorless to a yellow or a faint brownish colored hue. Colorless diamonds are rarer and more valuable because they appear whiter and brighter. The Color Grade …

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The princess cut is a square shaped diamond created in the 1960’s by A. Nagy of London, but was popularized in the 1980’s by Betzalel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz. It is often considered the most popular fancy shape to purchase. The price‐per‐carat of a square princess cut diamond is usually slightly cheaper than that of …

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A modified brilliant heart shaped diamond is the ultimate symbol of love. Symmetry is one of the most important aspects when choosing a heart-shaped diamond, as it is critical to have two identical halves. The two wings should be slightly rounded, and the center cleft should be distinct and sharp. With an 8 carat diamond, …

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Clarity describes the presence or absence of inclusions within the diamond and blemishes on its surface. These slight birthmark type indications make every diamond unique. However, they can also affect the beauty and value of the diamond. These natural birthmarks are often referred to as inclusions. The fewer inclusions a diamond has, the rarer and …

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The radiant cut diamond is the first square cut (the second being the princess) to have a complete brilliant-cut facet pattern applied to both the crown and pavilion, creating a vibrant and lively square diamond. First popular in the 1980’s, the cropped corner square shape of the radiant is a nice bridge between a cushion …

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The cushion cut has a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, resembling a pillow. They are a great, cost-effective alternative to Round diamonds, as they are similar in appearance and almost as brilliant. As one of the oldest diamond shapes, the cushion cut has evolved a lot over the years. The two main categories …

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A diamond’s color is normally graded on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). However, if the diamond’s color is stronger than a Z rating, then it is considered ‘fancy’ colored. Because fancy color diamonds are more rare than colorless diamonds, they are also more valuable. The rarest, and therefore most expensive, colors …

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The round‐cut diamond is the most popular shape, accounting for 75% of all diamonds sold in most size. This shape’s popularity is attributed to the way it is cut, which, moreso than other shapes, allows it to beautifully reflect light. For 8 carat diamond rings, round isn’t quite as popular a shape, as many people …

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