SMALL DIAMOND QUALITY

Look at your Jewelry…

Do you see tiny diamonds in your rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants, and even watches?

And I’m talking small-small here (Not 1/4 carat, or even 1/5…) I’m talking hard-to-see itty-bitty diamonds. The tiny microscopic diamonds that often called “accent stones“.

These hard-to-see stones are surprisingly, often not graded.

Not Graded in the Least:

• No Color
• No Clarity
• No Cut

No grading of any kind, other than maybe a carat weight.

The Reason Being is this:

The diamonds are too small to worry about, too small to spend the money certifying, and really, too small to notice anyway.

Usually diamonds (which most are cut as single cuts – see image below), have few facets (16-17), with few brilliance, few sparkle, a tad bit of reflection, and not much else!

Take a Peek…

Single cut diamonds, a.k.a. accent stones (or as many jewelers also call them ‘melee‘), appear everywhere.

Take a Gander at more accent Stone Jewelry…

These Stones aren’t Graded

Not that it would matter, for it’s almost impossible to see them (unless you use a jeweler’s loupe).

Plus, most of these accent stones are going to be low quality, like I clarity, I-J color (Nothing like the bigger brilliant cut diamonds, which are used as main stones and engagement rings).

Accent Stones are just for Show!

They spice things up a bit.

Only when they get bigger, like 10 points or more, should you worry about the grades.

And even then, until you get into 1/4 carats (25 pts), does it really start to become obvious. That’s when the inclusions tend to stand out and get noticed (like black carbon spots).

So small ‘dot‘ diamonds (and some even look like balls of salt), are what they are. Don’t expect color or clarity to be listed. With them, since there’s such an abundance, jewelers use them a lot (plus, they’re ultra-cheap). It gives the piece gemstones, and they can then label the item as ‘diamond‘.

Accent stones are small, fun, and they aid in the overall appearance and feel of the piece.

No Quality – No Problem!

The center diamond (the masterpiece) is a whole different story, though. That stone, you will want to see color and clarity. As well as certification!

Like these awesome diamonds over at James Allen.

Cheers! :)