The Antwerp Difference

Did you know that a diamond trades hands on average 18 times before making its way to the consumer? And each time someone takes their cut. As the Lehigh Valley's only Master IJO Jewelers, we have the opportunity to travel to Antwerp, Belgium the Diamond Capital of the World and buy diamonds directly from the Debeers sight-holders.

We hand pick diamonds inside the vaults of Antwerp and cut out all the middle men. We travel half way around the world to save you money. You can not find a better diamond at a better price. That is why we are #1 in the Lehigh Valley, PA

Carat is a diamond's measure of weight, not size. One full carat is equal to 100 points. A 3/4 carat diamond is the same as 75 points. Since larger diamonds are found less frequently in nature, a 1 carat diamond will cost more than twice a 1/2 carat diamond (assuming all other characteristics remain constant). The cut and the mounting can make a diamond appear larger than its actual weight. We can help you find the right balance between size, clarity, and color. The value of a diamond is determined by its rarity. Larger diamonds are not uncovered in the mining process as often as smaller diamonds. Thus larger stones are more precious and rare.

Diamonds are a natural substance, and no two diamonds are exactly alike. Nature signs each of its creations with telltale inclusions, or internal flaws. A diamond with more inclusions will be less rare, so it will be less expensive. But this does not necessarily mean it will be less beautiful to the naked eye. Nature ensures that each diamond is as individual as the person who wears it. Naturally occurring inclusions such as minerals or fractures are identifying characteristics created while diamonds are formed in the earth. Inclusions are measured on a scale of perfection, known as clarity, which was established by GIA. The greater a diamond's clarity, the more rare and valuable it is.

A diamond with a large inclusion will impact the reflection of light, making the diamond less brilliant. Diamonds are graded with 10X magnification. Completely flawless or internally flawless diamonds are very rare. Most diamonds have tiny flaws or inclusions, known as nature’s fingerprints, which occurred when the diamond crystal was formed millions of years ago. When inclusions do not materially interfere with the passage of light through the diamond, they don’t affect its beauty. Without magnification, it is very difficult to see the difference between diamonds graded Flawless to Slightly Included, FL to SI. Most of the time inclusions are only visible to the unaided eye when the diamond's clarity reaches the Imperfect grades, I1 to I3. Clarity grades are based on the size, nature, relief, and location of the inclusions.

The color of diamonds varies from colorless (highest quality) to many shades of yellow (less rare). The more colorless a diamond is, the rarer and more valuable it becomes as it appears whiter and brighter to the eye. Most diamonds have a slight trace of yellow, brown or gray body color. Color Grades are determined by using the letters of the alphabet. As the diamond reflects traces of yellow, the grading is reduced through the alphabet. The most respected system used today for evaluating diamond color was developed by the Gemological Institute of America, (GIA). Diamonds are graded on a color scale implemented by the GIA, which ranges from D to Z.

Diamonds are found in all colors, but most diamonds we sell range in color from D to I. Colorless diamonds are graded D to F. Diamonds graded G to J are in the near-colorless range. The difference of one color grade is very hard to see when the diamond is set. Diamonds are graded loose, under ideal lighting conditions and are compared to a master set for accuracy. Many of these color distinctions are so subtle as to be invisible to the untrained eye. But these slight differences make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.

Cut quality is the factor that fuels a diamond’s fire, sparkle and brilliance. The allure and beauty of a particular diamond depends more on cut quality than anything else.

The GIA Diamond Cut Grading System for standard round brilliants in the D-to-Z color range is based on the assessment of seven components. The first three – brightness (the total light reflected from a diamond), fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), and scintillation (the pattern of light and dark areas and the flashes of light, or sparkle, when a diamond is moved) – are appearance-based aspects. The remaining four – weight ratio, durability, polish, and symmetry – are related to a diamond’s design and craftsmanship.