Whether Octavia Elizabeth is your first or last, we know that shopping for a diamond can be overwhelming. We help bring transparency, honestly and excitement to the process. 

It is important to understand that no two diamonds are alike. Whether we are souring a lab grown or mined diamond, the qualities we depend on to grade our stones are known as the 4 C's. The Gemological Institute of America [GIA] is the globally accepted standard for grading diamonds. Each mined diamond that Octavia Elizabeth buys, is certified through GIA. 

CUT | The cut should not be confused with the "shape" of a diamond. The shape refers to the overall outline of the stone. There is no right or wrong when it comes to the shape of a stone. The beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and a personal preference. 

COLOR | The diamonds color grade refers to the lack of color in the store. GIA grades diamond color on a scale beginning with D, which represents colorless, and continues to Z as the presence of color increases. Diamond in the D to F range are considered colorless and therefore are the most expensive. Diamonds in the G to I range are considered near colorless and are often considerably less expensive. Beyond the I grade, diamonds are considered to have noticeable color. 

CLARITY | A diamond's clarity grade is based on the number, size and location of the imperfections that occur in almost every diamond. The internal imperfections in a diamond are called inclusions and the external imperfections in a diamond are referred to as blemishes. Most imperfections tend to be microscopic and generally do not affect the overall beauty of a stone. When selecting a diamond, the buyer will determine if he or she is comfortable with the imperfections on a particular stone. I encourage a buyer to choose an "eye clean" stone. which meant that to the naked eye you cannot see any imperfections. These stones are usually VS1 or VS2. The imperfection in those stones will only be seen under a magnification. Keep in mind that depending on the location of an inclusion, once mounted in a ring, it is very possible that an inclusion will be hidden all together by the setting.

CARAT WEIGHT | The diamond carat weight is a literal measurement of how much a diamond weighs. Each cart is divided into 100 points. For example, a half-carat stone is considered a 50 point diamond. All else being equal, diamond prices increase with carat weight because larger diamonds are more rate and thus more rare and thus more expensive. 

OCTAVIA'S QUICK TIPS 
The sparkle a well-cut diamond can make it appear larger than the actual carat weight might suggest. 

The human eye tends to detect sparkle before color, which is why color is generally considered the second most important characteristic of diamond after cut. 
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As diamond size increases, color becomes more visible. 
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In general, one will not notice a difference in color without jumping two color grades. When considering an H versus an I where all color factors are similar, the lower grade might be worth the savings. 
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The type and color of the ring setting can effect the appearance of the diamond to a degree.