At Heather Campins Jewelry, we believe you should understand the quality and characteristics of the stones you are purchasing. Gemstones and diamonds are evaluated using established grading standards, but those standards can vary depending on the type of stone.

The information below is provided as a general reference to help you better understand the terminology used throughout our jewelry collection.

Diamond Quality

Diamonds are commonly evaluated according to the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. Together, these characteristics help describe a diamond's appearance, quality, and value.

Cut
Cut describes the proportions, symmetry, and polish of a diamond and how effectively it interacts with light. Cut should not be confused with a diamond's shape, such as round, oval, emerald, or pear.

Color
For white diamonds, color is generally graded on a scale from D (colorless) through Z (increasingly noticeable color). Diamonds closer to the colorless end of the scale typically command higher values, although the appearance of color can also be influenced by the stone's size, shape, and setting.

Clarity
Clarity evaluates the presence and visibility of natural internal characteristics, called inclusions, and external characteristics, called blemishes. Common clarity grades range from Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF) through Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS), Very Slightly Included (VS), Slightly Included (SI), and Included (I).

Carat Weight
Carat is a measurement of a diamond's weight rather than its physical dimensions. Two diamonds of the same carat weight may have slightly different measurements depending on their shape and proportions.

Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds have the same crystal structure and essentially the same chemical and optical properties as naturally formed diamonds. They are graded using the same general characteristics of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

When an independent grading report is included with a particular stone or piece of jewelry, the product listing will identify the grading laboratory and available report information.

Colored Gemstones

Colored gemstones are evaluated somewhat differently from diamonds. Depending on the gemstone, important characteristics may include color, tone, saturation, clarity, cut, size, origin, and treatment.

Natural characteristics and variations are expected in many gemstones and are part of what makes each stone unique. Two gemstones of the same type and approximate size may therefore vary slightly in color or appearance.

Lab-Grown Gemstones

Lab-grown gemstones are created in controlled environments to reproduce the chemical, physical, and optical characteristics of their naturally occurring counterparts. Because they are grown rather than mined, they can offer exceptional color and consistency while providing another option for fine jewelry.

Product descriptions will identify stones as lab-grown when applicable.

Understanding Stone Measurements

Gemstones may be described by both millimeter dimensions and carat weight. Because different gemstones have different densities—and because shape and cutting proportions affect weight—a particular millimeter size does not always correspond to the same carat weight.

For this reason, Heather Campins Jewelry may use millimeter measurements when they provide a more useful indication of the stone's visible size.

Natural Variation

Images are intended to represent the appearance of each jewelry design as accurately as possible. Individual stones may exhibit slight variations in color, clarity, pattern, or other characteristics. Screen settings, lighting, photography, and stone size can also affect how color and detail appear online.

These variations are especially common in natural gemstones and should not necessarily be considered imperfections.

Questions About a Stone?

Fine jewelry is personal, and we want you to feel confident in the piece you select. If you have questions about the stone specifications, grading information, or options available for a particular design, please contact Heather Campins Jewelry before ordering. We are happy to provide additional information when available.