Tennies

The biggest cost in purchasing a ring comes from the diamond. It is a very good idea to acquaint yourself with how diamonds are graded before you begin your search. The four C's, Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut are important factors when finding the right diamond. Before we go any further we will briefly discuss the 4 C's.

Carat- A diamond is measured in Carat weight, not overall size. 1 full carat is equal to 100 points. A 3/4 carat is equal to 75 points, a 1/2 carat is equal to 50 points and so on. Larger carat diamonds are more rare than smaller diamonds thus making them more valuable.

Clarity- The greater a diamond's clarity, the more valuable it is. Almost all natural diamonds have identifying marks called inclusions. Inclusions can be considered as a diamond's "birthmark". These birthmarks can include cloudiness, small bubbles or crystals, along with other marks. It is very possible that inclusions can not be seen by the human eye. It is important to view a diamond under a jeweler's microscope to see it's inclusions. The less inclusions that a diamond has the more valuable it is.

Color- Diamonds are graded by color. The grading starts at the letter D and continues through the letter Z. The lower the letter grade the more valuable the diamond. For example, a grade of D or E is more valuable than the grade of X or Y. You may need some help viewing a diamond's color if you are not familiar with how it is done. A reputable Jeweler such as Tennie's Jewelers would be more than happy to help you with any questions you may have.

Cut- A diamond's cut is the one thing that mother nature is not responsible for. Diamonds are cut by an experienced craftsman. A well cut diamond will reflect light through it's top, giving it a sparkling effect. Diamonds that are not cut properly will appear less sparkling and are worth much less than a well cut diamond.

When beginning your search for a diamond, it is important to find a Jeweler that you can trust. I hate to say this, but some jewelers care more about making a sale than they do about helping you find a great diamond. It is for this reason that we recommend Tennie's Jewelers. Tennie's has been in business for over 80 years and has an experienced staff that can help you with any of your jewelry needs. If you are purchasing a diamond for the first time it is important to know that you can trust the Jeweler you are doing business with. Families throughout the Fox Valley have trusted Tennie's Jewelers for a very long time. Stop in and look over the beautiful selection of jewelry that Tennie's offers.

With a little knowledge of how diamonds are graded and the help of a trusted jeweler, you will be able to find a diamond that suits you perfectly.