The diamond story
Sydney's Jewelry can help you find your perfect diamond. You don't need to worry about whether you are getting the best deal for your money when searching for a diamond. I have exceptional sources, and I am able to obtain GIA and EGL certified and uncertified diamonds at well-below Rapaport prices. The "Rap" sheet is the bible when it comes to buying and selling diamonds. You can be certain that you will save money over most dealers' prices and certainly over jewelry store prices.  I guarantee that you will be pleased or you won't buy it.

How to buy a diamond
Introduction
In order to become a knowledgeable diamond buyer you must first understand the 4 Cs:

• Cut
• Color
• Clarity
• Carat weight

These four items are what determines the worth and value of a diamond. The 4 Cs determine what the dealer pays and therefore what you pay. Understanding the 4 Cs will allow you to shop wisely. I believe that the more you know about evaluating a diamond, the more likely it is you will want to work with me to find the gem of your dreams.

The 4Cs explained
Cut
When we speak of cut we are more interested in the proportions of the diamond as opposed to its shape (Round Brilliant, Emerald, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Princess, Trillion, Heart, Radiant). The round brilliant cut always has the most sparkle, because of the facets, and their position. Every diamond regardless of its shape gets it brilliancy and fire by cutting and polishing the diamond facets to allow the maximum amount of light that enters it to be reflected to the eye. A well-cut, well-made stone is pictured below.

As you can see below, if the angles are correct (1) the light that enters is dispersed properly back through the diamond's top facets.

When a stone is cut too shallow (2) or too deep (3) the light that enters escapes through the bottom or side of the diamond, preventing the maximum beauty of the diamond from being realized. The diamonds I offer are always well-made, and the closer to perfection, of course, the higher the price. Back to top

Color
Diamonds come naturally in nearly every color of the rainbow. However most people are looking for diamonds in the white range. The whiter the diamond, the higher the price, but even K-M diamonds appear white and fiery if well-cut, well-set and seen by themselves. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) rates the body color in white diamonds from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). I offer diamonds in any color you would like. Back to top

Clarity
The amount and location of flaws, or blemishes, in the diamond determine the clarity of it when viewed under a 10x magnification. The GIA rates clarity grades in diamonds from Flawless to Imperfect 3 (I3). Sydney's Jewelry offers you diamonds from the I1 grade through Flawless. Back to top

Carat weight
A carat is a unit of measure. There are 5 carats to a gram. As the carat weight of a diamond increases so does its rarity and, therefore, the price. I offer diamonds from .50 carat (one half a carat) to as large you want. Back to top

Suggested research
Find a loose diamond dealer in your area if possible. You can not learn, or in many cases even see, the differences in a set diamond. Once a diamond is set, the prongs, or bezel, not only cover part of the diamond (thereby possibly hiding flaws), but they also make exact color determination almost impossible (diamonds often draw color from the surrounding metal). And without knowing the true color and clarity, you cannot determine a diamonds true worth.

Try to see diamonds that have certificates from EGL or GIA. These are the two most recognized diamond-certifying houses in the world. By using EGL and GIA certificated diamonds as your standard you can now compare the diamonds offered to you "apples" to "apples" (EGL to EGL, GIA to GIA). It's similar to having the make and model (with every extra listed) when shopping for a car. Remember, that appraisals from a dealer are not the same as GIA or EGL certification)

When you find a dealer, tell him or her that you are just starting to look for a diamond and that you would like to be educated to the differences in diamonds. Ask to see the differences from one loose diamond to another. Most dealers will be happy to do this.

Look at a J color next to an H color, and then look at the H next to an E color. Look at an SI compared to a VS and the VS compared to a VVS. Be sure you see a well-made (cut, proportioned, finished) diamond compared to a "spread" or "fat" diamond. Look at all the different shapes offered. See the difference in size due to carat weight.

YOU determine what's important to YOU. So be sure you see it all. Decide if color is the main critical factor to you, or clarity, or cut, or size. You will learn fast that as the four Cs change so does the price (or at least it should).

If you go to more than one dealer do not be surprised if the information changes slightly as they stress what they feel is the most important factor in regards to a diamond (normally based on their inventory). You will also be surprised how you are drawn to diamonds that are similar to others you have seen, or how one diamond always stays fixed in the back of your mind, no matter how many other diamonds you are shown.

How I can help you
Be sure you see all the different cuts (including proportions), colors, clarities and carat weights. See it all. Then ask me any questions you may have, or give me quotes you have found that you would like to compare.

It would be best, if you would give me a price range you would like to stay within. I would also appreciate some flexibility in color and grade. This allows me to get the best possible diamond within your budget. Once I have a price range, and an idea of what you are after, I can very often surprise you with what I may find.

If this investigative shopping is not for you, I can help you now. My job is to bring you the most for your money, and more importantly, the diamond YOU want.

If you have any questions, you may e-mail me at Sydney's Jewelry or call me at 203-332-7138.