The shape

Start by gathering different designs from various sources: online, catalogs, or our inventory at http://www.stevenkirsch.com. Through a process of elimination, try to narrow your choice to one or two styles.? Not sure? Torn between your options? Give us a call at 212-221-9392. We’ll be glad to help!

The color

The perfect diamond is actually colorless.The less color (yellow) a diamond permeates the more rare and valuable it actually is.

A letter grade is given to a diamond to describe the subtle tones of color in the stone. "D" is perfectly colorless and therefore the most rare and expensive.

As you progress from D to Z on the alphabet color scale, the level of color increases with traces of a yellowish or brownish color.

D, E, F

For the purest diamond, diamonds graded D-F are superb diamonds and are expensive.

G, H, I, J

For excellent value in a diamond with no noticeable color to the untrained eye. Nearly colorless diamonds with noticeable color when compared to higher grade diamonds. These are high quality and are excellent value.

K, L, M

Faint yellow diamonds. Steven Kirsch Inc. does not carry any diamonds below the color grade “M”.

The clarity

The position, size and type of inclusions and blemishes are all crucial factors in evaluating the clarity of a diamond. Imperfections located on or beneath the table of the diamond are easier to detect and affect clarity grade more than those located around the sides of the diamond. Larger marks, darker marks, and deep marks will also significantly affect the clarity of the diamond.

FL, IF

Flawless/Internally Flawless: Flawless diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes detectable under 10x magnification, and are extremely rare. Internally flawless diamonds have no detectable inclusions under 10x magnification, are rare and very valuable.

VVS1/VVS2

Very Very Slightly Included: Inclusions and blemishes are extremely difficult for a skilled grader to detect under 10 x magnification.

VS1/VS2

Very Slightly Included: Inclusions and blemishes are detectable under 10x magnification, however they are minor flaws that do not impact the diamond's beauty and are frequently invisible to the naked eye.

SI1/SI2

Slightly Included: Inclusions and blemishes are easily noticeable under 10x magnification and may also be visible to the naked eye.

The cut

An excellent diamond cut produces a diamond with a high light return, dazzling brilliance, fire and scintillation. A poor cut, on the other hand, can cause light to seep out of the sides and bottom of the diamond, or it can limit the amount of light that enters a diamond. Poor cuts can therefore cause the diamond to appear dark, dull and lifeless, despite its color and clarity grades. This fact makes a diamond's cut the most significant factor to influence appearance.

IDEAL CUT

Represents roughly the top 3% of diamond quality based on cut. Perfectly proportioned with the highest grade of polish and symmetry. This grade of diamond reflects virtually all light that enters it.

EXCELLENT CUT

Represents roughly the top 8% of diamond quality based on cut. Proportioned to fit strict requirements for table and depth percentage. This grade of diamond reflects almost all light but less than the ideal cut.

VERY GOOD CUT

Represents roughly the top 15% of diamond quality based on cut. Proportioned to reflect much of the light that enters. This is a high quality and moderately priced diamond.

GOOD CUT

Represents roughly the top 25% of diamond quality based on cut. Proportioned to reflect most light that enters. These are considerable value, quality diamonds.

The setting

Choose the setting where you wish to place your stone. Start by choosing the general shape, then we'll discuss about something more precise after. If the setting you want is not present, please type in front of "other" what's in your mind.

The size

Pick up a size from 2 to 12 so that we can see the average size you wish for your jewelery.