Loose Diamonds

Loose diamonds can be bought to create the perfect engagement ring
or for an elegant, standalone gift for someone special.

Mondera is the top pick for loose diamonds!

The four most important things to consider when buying diamonds are:

Cut

Clarity

Color

Carat

- sometimes refered to as the '4 C's' of diamonds.

The shape of the cut diamond is also an important decision to make when buying a diamond.

Diamond Shape

Diamonds are available in many shapes. More than 3/4 of diamonds sold are round diamonds. Princess cuts are also a very popular diamond shape and are commonly used in engagement rings. Diamond shapes available include: Round, Princess, Emerald, Radiant, Oval, Pear, Marquise and Heart.

Diamond Cut

The cut of a diamond may be the most important of the 4 C's because it determines the brilliance of the diamond. Brilliance of a diamond refers to how light enters into a diamond and reflects back out. Diamonds with more brilliance reflect more light back out than those with less brilliance. Mondera grades the cut of its diamonds as Ideal, Premium, Very Good or Good

The 'Hearts and Arrows' cut is a special cut of round diamonds. They are more rare and expensive because of the skill and precision needed to create them. They are called 'Hearts and Arrows' because when using a special scope a pattern of hearts and arrows can be seen inside the diamond.

Diamond Clarity

Inclusions are scratches or blemishes either on or inside a diamond. The clarity of a diamond is rated based on the number and size of inclusions. Diamonds that have no inclusions are referred to as flawless (F) or internally flawless (IF). These diamonds are very rare and expensive. Diamonds are graded for their clarity as follows:

F,IF (Flawless, Internally Flawless)
VVS1, VVS2 (very, very slightly included) - inclusions are hard to see under magnification
VS1, VS2 (very slightly included) - inclusions not visible without magnification
SI1, SI2 (slightly included) - might be visible to the naked eye
I1, I2, I3 (included) - inclusions are visible

Diamond Color

White diamonds are generally not completely clear - they usually have a faint yellowish color to them. Diamonds that have less color are more rare and are more expensive because more light can pass through and reflect back off them. Diamonds are rated for their colorlessness on a scale that starts with the letter 'D' and goes down through the alphabet - D to Z. D rated diamonds are the most clear, and most expensive. Mondera only sells diamonds rated D - M.

D - F - nearly clear and the most valuable
G - I - have very little color
J - M - slightly pale yellow
N - R - very light yellow
S - X - light yellow

Diamond Carat

The weight of a diamond is measured in carats (not the same as 'karat', which measures the purity of gold). A carat is equal to 200 milligrams. Larger, heavier diamonds are more rare and more expensive. Carats are often abbreviated as 'ct.' or even 'TDW'. They are usually expressed as either a fraction or decimal. For example, one fourth of a carat could be written as '.25' or '1/4 ct.' Typical values of diamond carats in jewelry are .25 (1/4), .33 (1/3), .50 (1/2), .75 (3/4), 1.00 and 2.00, although smaller carat values are also common. As expected, diamond jewelry with a carat weight of 1.00 or 2.00 is much more expensive.

Ready to buy a loose Diamond?

Mondera has a highly recommended 'Diamond Search' to help you choose just the right diamond. The 'Diamond Search' goes through the choices for each of the 4 C's, the diamond shape, as well as your price range so you can find the perfect diamond for your budget and taste.

More information about buying diamonds is also available on their site.