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Diamonds are a ten on the Mohs hardness scale, making them the hardest substance discovered. For rings and bracelets, diamonds are indispensable. They are much more resistant to scuffs and chips than other gemstones, which is one of the reasons they are a classic in engagement rings.

Natural diamonds are graded according to the 4 C’s — color, clarity, cut, and carat. They range from nearly clear to a subtle yellow color. Clarity refers to the amount of inclusions. Combined, color and clarity can help you determine how pure your diamond is. Cut tells you which shape the diamond is, and carat refers to the size (weight) of the diamond. Altogether, the 4 C’s can tell you how valuable your diamond is from a monetary point of view, but they pale in comparison to the sentimental and emotional value of a diamond.

Commonly Asked Questions We get a lot of questions about diamonds. Below are the answers to the most commonly asked questions: Cornells Jewelers Rochester, NY

Commonly Asked Questions

We get a lot of questions about diamonds. Below are the answers to the most commonly asked questions:

When looking for a diamond, you can consider several factors. Start with the 4 C’s and figure out what’s most important to you. Do you want a really big diamond (carat) no matter what? Or are you willing to compromise on size to get a gem that is colorless (color) and has few inclusions (clarity)? There is no right or wrong answer. Consider scheduling an appointment to talk about the diamond-buying process and get our expert advice on choosing your perfect diamond.

Express your style or love for one another with natural diamonds. Being mined from the Earth's crust, natural diamonds are an extravagant and organic choice for your accessories. Natural diamonds are all different, no two are the same - ensure that you're accessorizing with a unique, natural diamond. 

Conflict-free diamonds are diamonds that comply with the Kimberley Process Certification System (KPCS). This process was co-founded by De Beers and international governments in 2003 to ensure that “rough” diamonds (also known as “conflict” diamonds) are not imported or exported to prevent de-stabilizing legitimate government entities.

Diamonds are notoriously expensive, but keep in mind that they are a limited resource. It takes millions of years for diamonds to form and be pushed to the Earth’s crust. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide, but we think that the rarity and durability of a diamond makes them worth every penny! Diamonds can also be passed down as heirlooms for generations upon generations and re-set to create modern jewelry for everyone.

Absolutely not. Though diamond engagement rings tend to be made for women, there’s nothing that prevents men from wearing diamonds, too. Try cufflinks or bracelets with diamonds for some sophisticated ways to incorporate jewelry into your outfits. Colored diamonds, including chocolate diamonds or blue diamonds, are also trendy and less flashy than colorless diamonds for a subtle touch.

Yes — diamonds are thought of as colorless, but depending on the conditions in which they were formed, they can be naturally colored. Typical diamond colors range from pink to yellow to blue and all the way to black. Pink diamonds are particularly special, as scientists still do not know what makes them pink. Yellow diamonds are formed in the presence of nitrogen, and blue diamonds include the chemical boron.

Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years, and therefore there is a finite supply of natural diamonds available. Lab-grown diamonds, on the other hand, can be easily created as demand scales. Since there is a limit on the natural diamonds available, as demand increases, prices increase in response.