The Luxury Sale

Engagement Rings

Diamonds
Diamonds are usually purchased for special occasions such as marriages, birthdays, anniversaries or as an expression of love. At Netaya Jewelry we understand that many people buy only one diamond in a lifetime, so we want your purchase to be one made with extreme care. To determine the quality and value of a diamond, 4 characteristics must be considered, they are known as 4's of diamonds:

Cut
Clarity
Color
Carat Weight

But first let's discuss what makes a diamond so valuable. Over millions of years ago carbon elements deep inside the earth underwent enormous heat and pressure before they developed into diamond crystals. Accordingly, diamonds are extremely rare. It usually takes 250 tons of rock, sand and gravel to be processed to yield one carat of diamond. Furthermore, diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man.

Cut
Diamond cutting is a fascinating art. Not only does it require great skill and precision in knowing how to cut, but also where on the stone to cut. Rough diamonds are expensive, so the diamond cutter must save as much weight (carat weight) as possible from the rough, and at the same time create a beautiful gem.

In addition to the type of cut, the proportions of the cut are critical to obtaining the maximum brilliance and fire from a diamond. The beauty of a diamond is its ability to capture light and return it to the eye, reflecting a beautiful rainbow of colors. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is reflected internally from one facet to another and dispersed through the top of the stone. Most gemologists consider cut the most important characteristic, because even a perfect diamond with a poor cut will have dulled brilliance.

Clarity
A reduction in brilliance is also caused by the number of inclusions in the stone. A major factor in determining the value of a stone is the presence or absence of inclusions, i.e., the clarity of the stone. Inclusions are natural mineral compounds that developed when the diamond was formed millions of years ago. Minute black carbon specks, air bubbles or feathery white marks became trapped inside the diamond. These inclusions are commonly referred to as imperfections or flaws - terms which denote negative connotations. There are two types of inclusions: external and internal. External characteristics are called blemishes. Most of these can be removed by minor re-polishing. However, this is not true in all cases due to the difficulty of re-polishing, or the risk that attempting to remove an existing blemish a new one may be introduced. Internal characteristics are called inclusions, and there are many. The most common terms are knots, clouds, pinpoints, feather (also called fracture or break). These terms accurately describe the appearance of the internal inclusions. In determining the clarity grade, the size, position and number of inclusions are considered, and bear in mind that nearly all diamonds contain inclusions.

Color
A diamond is the only gemstone in which the absence of color makes the stone more valuable. Diamonds range from colorless (pure white) to a degree of yellow tint- the less color the more valuable. Of all the factors affecting the value of a diamond, color is the most subjective. Color differences from one grade to the next are so subtle only a trained eye can tell them apart. However, for the purposes of establishing value, diamonds are graded according to their body color. The chart below represents the color scale. At Netaya we sell diamonds ranging from G to L with the majority being near colorless.

There are many factors which affect the perceived body color of a diamond, e.g., the color of the room in which it is viewed, the type of lighting, and the mounting of the stone. The color of the metal used in jewelry will affect the appearance of the diamond body color. Colorless and nearly colorless diamonds may appear slightly yellowish in yellow gold. Therefore, Netaya diamonds set in yellow gold have white gold or platinum prongs. At Netaya we offer mountings in 14k and 18k gold in both white and yellow color, as well as, Platinum which is considered the ultimate metal for mounting diamonds. Carat Weight
The weight of a diamond is measured by the carat. The term carat is derived from the fruit of the carob tree, whose seeds were used to balance the scales in ancient times. A carat is divided into 100 points. Carat weight can be referred to as a fraction or a decimal. A diamond of 50 points weight = 1/2 or 0.50 carat. A diamond of 75 points weighs 3/4 of a carat, or 0.75. A 45-point diamond weighs a little less than half a carat, or 0.45. A typical diamond recovered in the mines weighs a lot less than a carat, and about half of that weight is lost during the cutting process. Because larger stones are rarer, they have a greater value per carat. Thus a one-carat diamond can be worth 3 or 4 times as much as a half-carat stone of the same quality, even though it is only twice the weight. The Netaya Value
A customer buying a diamond from Netaya can be confident in his or her purchase. We have strict standards for all our diamonds based on the 4Cs - cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Our diamond buyers obtain stones from reputable prime dealers who maintain consistent quality and are guaranteed conflict free. They select both loose and set diamonds following our very specific and detailed specifications.

Netaya maintains a staff of gemologically trained diamond inspectors to sample loose diamonds and ensure stones meet our quality standards. The inspectors also check that diamond finished pieces are mounted securely, that the settings are finely crafted, and the diamonds matched for brilliance and color. Our Independent Lab Certified diamond program gives you the added assurance by supplying a certificate issued by an insurance industry recognized, independent laboratory that double certifies and validates all the critical aspects of your diamond purchase. A serial numbered certificate is issued and that corresponding number is laser etched on the jewelry. Note Regarding Confict Diamonds
All diamonds sold by Netaya.com have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with the United Nations Resolution. Care of Diamonds
The sparkle of a diamond is greatly diminished if the stone is not clean. A diamond can get dirty quickly. Body oils, hand cream, soap and general housework can put a dull film on the stone. Remember to clean your diamond jewelry regularly. Commercial jewelry cleaners or a mix of ammonia and water, or mild detergent will work well. The Netaya Advantage
At Netaya we provide diamond jewelry that represents a superb quality/value ratio. Our good - better - best quality levels offer you affordable alternatives for all occasions. Our best offering, typically graded as G to H in color and SI-1 to SI-2 in clarity, assures you a spectacular diamond with little if no compromise at a very competitive price. Our better offering typically graded as I to J in color and I-1 to I-2 in clarity, assures you of a very respectable quality at a more affordable yet more reasonably priced item. And our good quality is the most affordable yet still respectable quality. Whichever level fits your budget, be assured that at Netaya you will get the most for your money.