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I sell diamonds, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands from my Tucson jewelry store to consumers all over Tucson and nationwide. Some diamond buyers come to me with very little knowledge while others have spent hours and hours Googling and researching - I'm happy to help both groups and everyone in between. And while you're looking, here's a selection of my diamonds.

Diamonds come in an incredible variety of sizes, shapes, colors and qualities, literally millions of combinations are available. This used to make comparing them quite difficult. So, in the 1950's the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) (of which I am a graduate) created the "Four Cs" a universally accepted method of grading and thus comparing diamonds. The Four Cs are: cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

Cut refers to the craftsmanship that brings a rough diamond alive and gathers light around the stones. An ideally cut diamond absorbs light and reflects it with brilliance unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Diamond color is graded with a letter scale ranging from D to Z. Those graded D to F are considered colorless; G to J, near colorless; and K to Z has a noticeable tint. Diamonds with absolutely no color at all are incredibly rare.

Clarity: Most every diamonds contain tiny trace minerals, fractures, or other slight imperfections (called inclusions) that are a natural part of its growth process. Gemologists grade diamonds for clarity, though the vast majority of inclusions are unnoticeable to the naked eye.

Carat: Diamonds are measured in carat weight, one carat is equal to a fifth of a gram. The larger the diamond the heavier it's carat weight.

When you know a diamond’s Four Cs, you can easily compare it to others and better determine its value. However, the Four Cs only describe the measurements of a diamond. They do not tell you if the diamond sparkles with fire and brilliance, or if it's hazy and dull. Let me put it to you this way, if I gave you the measurements of a woman, could you tell me if she was attractive? Probably not. Well it's the same issue with diamonds. A lab report grades the diamond's measurements only. To compare diamonds and truly see their unique fire and brilliance you must hold them in your hands. Do not buy diamonds online or anywhere else that you have not seen and held, in person. It's simply too difficult, often even for a trained gemologist to tell the difference without a personal examination.

It would be my pleasure to help you select the diamond that is best for you. Please read what my clients say about me. Certainly you can shop Tucson jewelers, but you'll never top the value and personal service of Tucson's only Private Jeweler.