Diamonds & Diamond Jewelry
At Norman Hege Jewelers we take the time to learn and understand every diamond’s true quality as well as its unique characteristics, and this is one of the many reasons why we are one of the top fine jewelry stores in Rock Hill, SC. Expertise in the field of diamond education makes the difference when it comes to getting first class diamonds and diamond jewelry. This, along with our top notch customer service, sets us apart from the competition.
Diamond Education: The Four C’s
If you’ve done any research about diamond jewelry, you’ve probably heard of the four C’s. This is an easy way for jewelers to tell you about the quality of the diamonds they sell. Here’s a brief overview of diamond education so you’ll know how we examine every diamond that enters our store:
Carat~
A carat is a small unit of measurement that’s equal to 200 milligrams. It’s how we determine a diamond’s weight and factors into its value. The heavier the diamond, the more valuable it is. This is because heavier, larger diamonds are more rare.
Clarity~
There’s no such thing as a perfect diamond, since every one of these precious stones develops flaws during the formation process. These flaws are called inclusions, and inside a diamond they may look like feathers, pin points, clouds, or tiny crystals. Determining a diamond’s clarity grade is based on the number, size, color, appearance, and – most importantly – the position of its inclusions.
Cut~
A diamond is formed in nature, but what we see in a jewelry store – its brilliance and shine – is the work of expert craftsmen who cut diamonds to ideal proportions. Extreme care and attention are required to create perfect symmetry. This symmetry allows light to reflect from one facet to another and fully disperse through the diamond’s top to display pure beauty. If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow, light escapes through the sides or bottom, resulting in a lower quality shine and a reduced value.
Color~
Completely colorless diamonds are the most sought after because they are able to display the most light. The scale determining a diamond’s color grade was established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and ranges from D – a grade determining that the diamond is colorless – to Z – a grade meaning the diamond displays a yellow or warm tone.
Our Jewelers Know Diamonds—Come See for Yourself
The expert staff at Norman Hege Jewelers knows how the four C’s work together to create a beautiful, valuable diamond. Let us help you choose from our outstanding selection of diamond jewelry (including diamond rings and custom engagement rings) or loose stones. Have a diamond you’d like us to look at? Stop by our jewelry store near you and we’ll examine it for these qualities. We welcome customers from the greater Rock Hill, SC area, including Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Lake Wylie, Lancaster, York, Clover, Chester, Great Falls, and South Charlotte.
Contact Norman Hege Jewelers