First up is our diamond curation process. While many know about the 4Cs (credit goes to Google), we believe in a fifth, essential "C" that sets a diamond apart: curation.

When it comes to assessing a diamond’s true sparkle and brilliance, nothing compares to the human eye. Digital reports and gem certificates can’t capture what we see in person—the dynamic play of light and fire that makes a diamond truly exceptional.

At Live For Diamonds, we evaluate each stone with a discerning eye, looking not only at the traditional 4Cs—Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity—but also beyond. Factors like fluorescence, face-up size, and subtle details all play a role in determining if a diamond meets our standards.

The first thing most people notice about a diamond is its size. While it’s common to assume that a higher carat weight means a larger-looking diamond, that’s not always true. For instance, a 1.90-carat oval diamond with a 1.48 length-to-width ratio can appear bigger than a 2.0-carat oval with a 1.32 ratio.

Two diamonds of the same carat weight can look noticeably different depending on their shape and the precision of their cut. The key is finding a diamond that “faces up” with a generous appearance without being cut too shallow, which can lead to light leakage and a loss of brilliance.

Cut quality determines how brilliantly a diamond’s facets interact with light, and it's a true art form. Among the 4Cs, cut is the only characteristic shaped by human craftsmanship. We often refer to the cut quality as the “make” of a diamond; a “top make” diamond, with excellent proportions, symmetry, and polish, can turn a sparkle into a show-stopping display on your finger. We select diamonds with ideal proportions that aren’t cut too deep or shallow, ensuring maximum fire, brightness, and scintillation.

It’s important not to confuse a diamond’s cut with its shape (such as Round, Oval, or Cushion). The GIA, for example, only assigns an official “cut” grade to Round diamonds. Why? Fancy shapes have many possible cutting styles, like the cushion brilliant versus the crushed-ice cushion—both are stunning in their own way, and each appeals to different personal tastes. There’s no one-size-fits-all in diamond cuts; each style offers a unique beauty.

In diamond grading, "color" actually refers to the absence of color.

Here’s a fun fact: Have you ever wondered why color grading begins with the letter D instead of A? Before the GIA established its D-to-Z color scale, there was no universal standard for diamond color grading. Various systems were in use, such as letters A, B, and C (without clear definitions), Arabic numerals (0, 1, 2, 3), Roman numerals (I, II, III), and even terms like “gem blue” or “blue white,” which often led to confusion and misinterpretation.

When the GIA developed its grading scale, they wanted a fresh start, completely distinct from previous systems. So, they chose to begin with D, marking the start of their universally recognized scale.

In diamonds, “clarity” refers to the absence of inclusions, or unique internal features within the stone. To understand clarity, it helps to know how diamonds form. Natural diamonds are created when carbon undergoes intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth. For this reason, we like to think of a diamond’s internal and external inclusions as “birthmarks” rather than flaws.

Assessing a diamond's clarity involves examining the number, size, type, and position of these inclusions, as well as their impact on the diamond’s appearance. No diamond is completely free from inclusions, but the fewer there are, the higher the diamond’s value.

Just like a diamond’s inclusions make it unique, small imperfections don’t diminish its beauty—they make it one-of-a-kind. Interestingly, gemologists often use these inclusions to tell the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds. Fun fact: certain inclusions, such as knots, twinning wisps, diamond crystals, and trace minerals, are unique markers of a naturally formed diamond.

While not officially one of the 4Cs, fluorescence is another key factor to consider. Many buyers come in thinking, "I only want a diamond without fluorescence." But let’s take a closer look at what fluorescence really is.

Fluorescence is the subtle glow some diamonds emit when exposed to UV light, like sunlight, giving off a faint blue hue. A common misconception is that fluorescence reduces a diamond’s sparkle, which is simply not true. In fact, many diamonds in our founder Bonnie’s personal collection have fluorescence—and they sparkle brilliantly.

If you’ve researched online, you may have read that fluorescence can cause a diamond to appear milky or cloudy. While this can happen, it’s extremely rare—only 0.02% of diamonds submitted to the GIA with strong fluorescence show any haziness or cloudiness. Studies show that for the vast majority of diamonds, fluorescence has no visible impact on appearance. In fact, in many cases, people actually prefer diamonds with medium to strong fluorescence.

Here’s a fun fact: fluorescence can make diamonds in lower color grades appear whiter! So, don’t shy away from diamonds with fluorescence—rejecting them can unnecessarily limit your options and may increase costs.

With the Live For Diamonds curation process, you can trust that we carefully evaluate every aspect of your diamond to ensure brilliance, quality, and, most importantly, a captivating sparkle.