The Gemological Institute of America created the first, and now globally accepted standard for describing diamonds: Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight. Today, the 4Cs of Diamond Quality is the universal method for assessing the quality of any diamond, anywhere in the world.

COLOR

A diamond's color grade actually refers to the lack of color. In other words, diamonds that are white, containing little or no color, receive higher quality grades than those with visible color. GIA's diamond D-to-Z color-grading scale is the industry's most widely accepted grading system. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues, with increasing presence of color, to the letter Z.

CLARITY

Natural diamods are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth. This process can result in a variety of internal characteristics called 'inclusions' and external characteristics called 'blemishes.' Evaluating diamond clarity involves determining the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics, as well as how these affect the overall appearance of the stone. While no diamond is perfectly pure, the closer it comes, the higher its value.

The GIA Diamond Clarity Scale has 6 categories, some of which are divided, for a total of 11 specific grades.
Flawless (FL) No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification
Internally Flawless (IF) No inclusions visible under 10x magnification
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification, but can be characterized as minor
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification
Included (I1, I2, and I3) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification which may affect transparency and brilliance
Many inclusions and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained diamond grader. To the naked eye, a VS1 and an SI2 diamond may look exactly the same, but these diamonds are quite different in terms of overall quality. This is why expert and accurate assessment of diamond clarity is extremely important.

CUT

Diamonds are renowned for their ability to transmit light and sparkle so intensely. We often think of a diamond's cut as shape (round, emerald, pear), but a diamond's cut grade is really about how well a diamond's facets interact with light. Precise artistry and workmanship are required to fashion a stone so its proportions, symmetry, and polish deliver the magnificent return of light only possible in a diamond.

A diamond's cut is crucial to the stone's final beauty and value. And of all the diamond 4Cs, it is the most complex and technically difficult to analyze. To determine the cut grade of the standard round brilliant diamond - the shape that dominates the majority of diamond jewelry – GIA calculates the proportions of those facets that influence the diamond's face-up appearance. These proportions allow GIA to evaluate how successfully a diamond interacts with light to create desirable visual effects such as: Brightness: Internal and external white light reflected from a diamond, Fire: The scattering of white light into all the colors of the rainbow, Scintillation: The amount of sparkle a diamond produces, and the pattern of light and dark areas caused by reflections within the diamond.

GIA's diamond cut grade also takes into account the design and craftsmanship of the diamond, including its weight relative to its diameter, its girdle thickness (which affects its durability), the symmetry of its facet arrangement, and the quality of polish on those facets. The GIA Diamond Cut Scale for standard round brilliant diamonds in the D-to-Z diamond color range contains 5 grades ranging from Excellent to Poor.

CARAT WEIGHT

Diamond carat weight is the measurement of how much a diamond weighs. A metric "carat" is defined as 200 milligrams. Each carat can be subdivided into 100 'points.' This allows very precise measurements to the hundredth decimal place. A jeweler may describe the weight of a diamond below one carat by its 'points' alone. For instance, the jeweler may refer to a diamond that weighs 0.25 carats as a 'twenty-five pointer.' Diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. A 1.08 carat stone would be described as 'one point oh eight carats.' All else being equal, diamond price increases with diamond carat weight, because larger diamonds are more rare and more desirable. But two diamonds of equal carat weight can have very different values (and prices) depending on three other factors of the diamond 4Cs: Clarity, Color, and Cut. It's important to remember that a diamond's value is determined using all of the 4Cs, not just carat weight.

Precious Metals

GOLD

Gold is one of the most popular and timeless choices for jewelry designs. Pure gold is combined with other metals to create a harder, more durable alloy and to alter its color to create white, rose, or yellow shades. There are various grades of gold purity, determined by the ratio of their alloy composition and rated by a karat system. In its purest form, metal is comprised of 100% gold and known as 24 karat and is extremely soft and pliable. A more durable form of gold is 18 karat, which consists of 75% gold and 25% alloy metals. This grade has been renowned as the perfect balance between gold purity and strength. 14 karat gold is 58.3% pure gold and the remainder is comprised of alloy metals. We do not recommend using any gold purity less than 14 karat for our designs.

PLATINUM

Platinum, a naturally white metal, will never fade or change color. White gold will yellow over time, requiring its rhodium plating to be replaced every 12-18 months to maintain a white appearance. The optimal setting for diamonds is platinum, a naturally white metal that won’t ever reflect color into the diamond. Platinum enhances the brilliance of diamonds and other gemstones.

Typically 95% pure, platinum is one of the purest precious metals. White gold, which is either 58% or 75% yellow gold, is mixed with non-precious metals such as nickel, and then rhodium plated to give it a white appearance. Platinum’s purity makes it naturally hypoallergenic and ideal for those with sensitive skin.

A platinum engagement ring and wedding band is everlasting, perfect for a lifetime of everyday wear. Platinum’s density makes platinum highly durable, so it doesn’t wear away over time. White gold loses little slivers of metal with every scratch, requiring many rings to be reinforced or reshanked to replace metal that has worn away. Platinum’s strength and durability makes it the most secure setting for diamonds and precious gemstones.

METAL FINISH

Precious metals can be finished in particular ways to create specialized looks. The finish you choose can help accentuate details and the final style of your Louie B design.
High Polish- One of the most popular finishes, high-polish achieves a highly reflective gleam.
Satin or Matte- Is a reduced-shine finish helps draw attention to diamonds and other gemstones.
Brushed- Is a textured look that creates a "brushstroke" effect, this finish retains some of the original shine from the metal while adding a unique texture.
Hammered- The metal is hammered and then given a satin finish for a unique textured style.
Hand Engraved- Metal can be hand engraved with a variety of leaf or filigree designs for a unique antique style.
Let us know what metal and finishes you prefer on your handcrafted Louie B Designs.

Care & Cleaning

Your Louie B Designs should always sparkle. Without proper care your jewelry can get dirty or damaged. Cleaning your jewelry will ensure it always stays looking beautiful. Each piece of jewelry needs to be cared for differently. Here are some simple ways to protect and clean your precious jewels:

Do not wear diamond jewelry, especially rings, when doing rough work. Even though diamond is one of the hardest materials in nature, it can still be chipped by a sharp, sudden blow. Chlorine can damage and discolor the mounting on your diamond jewelry. Keep your diamond away from chlorine bleach or other household chemicals. You should also remove your diamond jewelry before entering a chlorinated pool or hot tub.

To clean your jewelry at home, start by using a mild detergent of dish soap and warm water. This solution is great for everyday jewelry cleaning. Diamond jewelry can also be cleaned by using a mix of ammonia and warm water. Start by dipping the jewelry into the solution and let it soak for a few moments. Use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt from under the setting. A soft toothbrush will do the trick. In a pinch, a small spray of glass cleaner on a cloth will remove oily fingerprints from the tops of your diamonds. A soft lint free cloth is also an effective and inexpensive way to keep your pieces lustrous. For certain gold, platinum and diamond jewelry, especially pieces that do not contain colored gemstones; an ultrasonic cleaning machine may be appropriate. We will advise you on the appropriate cleaning method for each of your pieces. We also offer free cleaning when you are in our studio.

Keep in mind that hairspray, perfume and perspiration may cause jewelry to become dull. Apply all cosmetics, perfume and colognes before putting on your jewelry. Make sure to wipe your jewelry after wear to remove any chemicals, oils or perspiration. Remove all jewelry before showering. Soap can cause a film to form on your jewelry making it appear dull and dingy. We recommend visiting us every six months to have your jewelry professionally cleaned and checked.