The Private Reserve
Ideal Cut Diamonds
In-Stock & Available:
Diamond Inventory

Ideal Cut Classifications
AGS Ideal 0 Cut
AGS-000/Triple 0 defined
Eighternity Diamonds
GIA Excellent / Ideal
Hearts & Arrows Ideals
Just Plain "Ideal"
The Ideal Differences

Fancy Shape Desc.
Asscher Cut Diamonds
Cushion Cut Diamonds
Princess Cut Diamonds

Private Reserve Terms:
Glossary of Terms
Inventory Introduction
No Sales Tax!    0.00%

Engagement Rings:
Overview of Styles
Tiffany Solitaires
Gold Solitaires
Platinum Solitaires
Knife Edge Solitaires
Cathedral Solitaires
Comfort Fit Solitaires
Half Round Bands
3 Stone Rings (DeBeers)
3 Stone Rings (Fancy)
Anniversary Rings
Eternity Rings

Designer Collection:
Designs by Tacori
Designs by D. Vatche
Designs by Viachi

Jewelry For Sale:
Diamond Earrings
Pearls
Colored Gems
Fashion Jewelry

Diamond Grading
The Expanded 4C^s
1. Cut = Light Return
2. Color
3. Clarity
4. Carat Weight
Clarity Characteristics
Degrees of Magnification
Diamond Grading Tools
Evaluating A Diamond
Fast Track to Brilliance
FireScope™
Fluorescence
Gem Ex Brilliance Scope
Grading for Real People
Holloway Cut Advisor
Polish
Proportions
Proportions Analysis
Sarin DiaMension
Symmetry
SymmetriScope™
The 60/60 Farce
Tolkowsky Range

Buyer Beware!
Chipped Diamonds
"Empty House Listers"
Re-Cut Diamonds
Secret Stuff
Treated Diamonds
When is "Ideal" not?

Diamond Price Tools
Paid Report Access
A word about pricing...
What is the "Rap Trap"?
What is Ho-Ho-Wholesale
What is a Site Sale?

Independent Laboratories
The GIA vs. the AGS

Important Stuff
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
0.00% Sales Tax!  Oh yea!
FAQ's or Fiction
Find an Appraiser
Kimberly Diamond Act
Ordering Information
Platinum Tips & Care
Privacy Policy
Ring Size Conversion
Shipping Information
Terms & Conditions
Time Zone 101
Trade-in Policy
What Do I Do Next?

Who Are These Nuts?
About Us
Ask A Fellow Netite
Contact Us
General Information
The Benefits of NiceIce
N.Y.D. Magazine says...
Services Offered
Visit Our Store!

Investigate Us
Jewelers Vigilance (JVC)
The Public Eye
Epinions.com

Interesting Stuff
Canadian Diamonds
Diavik Mine Canada
$295M DeBeers Settlement
Blood Diamond Movie
Sierra Leone Diamonds

The Legal Stuff
Copyright Notice
Terms & Conditions

Trade Affiliations:

Jewelers Vigilance

Jewelers of America

Manufacturing Jewelers
& Suppliers of America

Friends, Competitors
& Shopping Favorites!

Exchange Links w/Us!

*

*

Diamond Grading For Real People

This section of our web sight is designed to help you make some sense of our terminology, introduce you to the essentials of diamond grading, and familiarize you with our market.  It is not a gemological course, and should not be interpreted as such, but it's a whole lot more than you're going to find in any pamphlet or get from a store… Most of the information contained in this explanation of grading practices is derived from course material from the Graduate Gemologist Program offered by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), but we've deciphered in into useable English for you.

A diamond is probably the most precious, yet obscure object that you will ever see.   Unfortunately, a few disreputable jewelers have made purchasing a diamond one of the most challenging investments you will ever make.  A one carat diamond weighs about one-fifth the weight of the average paper clip, and yet some cost as much as a luxury automobile.  Subtle factors which affect the grade and market value of a diamond do not necessarily affect its attractiveness and this is where the average consumer gets frustrated.

How is it possible that one store can advertise one-carat engagement rings for sixteen hundred dollars while another store just a few doors down sells its one-carat diamond rings for ten thousand dollars?  And what is all of this VVS-D, SI¹ - F, and I¹ - M, stuff really mean?  What is a "certified diamond" and what does it mean when a jeweler says that diamond grading is subjective?  The answers to all of these questions and more can be found in the sections on diamond grading that follow this page.

Most of our industry relies on the diamond grading system developed by the GIA.  This grading system is based on a diamonds cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, and is commonly referred to as the 4C's. Unfortunately, most of the store pamphlets gloss over the 4C's and will leave most of your questions unanswered.  A reputable jeweler should take the time to explain the basics of diamond grading to you and teach you to inspect a diamond for yourself, but don't count on it.  The best thing is for you to learn the basics of diamond grading so that you can make an educated decision based on your preferences and budget.

If you're purchasing a diamond for personal enjoyment, such as an engagement ring, you should focus your efforts on finding a diamond that is brilliant and not worry so much about making sure that the diamond meets the GIA text book definition of it's given grade... Some people really lose touch of reality and get caught up in the quest for the perfect diamond.  For God's sake, it's a diamond not a thoroughbred, you're not going to breed it!  Get real!  A basic understanding of the GIA grading system will ensure that you get the most for your money and don't get taken advantage of while keeping you from going bananas.

Diamond Grading For Real People will assist you in evaluating diamonds for cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.  You will also learn how to decipher a diamond certificate and about industry secrets, such as diamond treatments and fluorescence.  We hope you enjoy our humor and invite your friends to visit our site so that they too may learn to appreciate our magical world of diamonds.

May we help you find the diamond of your dreams?
Send us an email diamonds@niceice.com and tell us what you are looking for.
Or give us a call at 206.319.8152 or Toll Free 877.844.5443

Copyright © 1996 - 2007 Nice Ice, Inc.

AGS® is a registered trademark of the American Gem Society (702) 255-6500
GIA® is a registered trademark of the Gemological Institute of America (760) 603-4000