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5 C's
We recommend you become familiar with the 5C's (Cut, Carat Weight, Color, Clarity, and Confidence) before
committing to a diamond purchase. Discover why purchasing your diamond from Lee Michaels is a wise decision in
our Diamond Buyer's Bill of Rights. Our extensive Diamond Guarantee explains in detail our policies on returns,
exchanges and trades.
Our Guide to Diamond Buying offers in-depth information about diamonds. It is a free booklet available to our
customers at each Lee Michaels location or by calling 1-800-543-GEMS. If you prefer to email us, please include
your name, address and phone number. We will be glad to mail you a free copy.
Address your diamond questions to one of our Registered Jewelers at LMFJ@LMFJ.com,
or call toll free 1-800-543-GEMS.
Cut
Cut is the only human contribution to the diamonds beauty. Cut is pure artistry. It is the most critical
of the 4C’s because so much of a diamond’s value depends on the diamond cutter achieving the ultimate
brilliance. Based on scientific formulas, a well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-
like facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. The precision of the cut determines
the amount of light dispersion that is released by the diamond. Each facet or plane of the diamond’s
surface when properly placed, allows light to interact within the diamond and return to the eye as fire or brilliance.
Releasing this spectral beauty within each rough diamond requires the craftsmanship developed through years of
tutelage by master diamond cutters. Strict formulas detailing the exact cut proportions have been designed
for each shape. Small variances from this formula result in diamonds of less brilliance and dispersion although,
the untrained eye has great difficulty detecting the differences in small variances from these formulas.
Ideal Cut is a diamond of precise proportions with exceptional polish and symmetry. Although this
usually results in the most weight loss from the rough material, it achieves the most brilliant, scintillating
gem. Only 5% of all round, brilliant cut diamonds qualify in meeting the ultimate in light dispersion.
Well Cut is a diamond whose cut proportions fall just outside those of the Ideal Cut, but is brilliantly
beautiful with a fine appearance.
Deep Cut is a diamond that appears smaller than it weighs as most of the weight lies in the pavilion
or the depth. Since light does not reflect efficiently through the diamond’s crown or top, its brilliance
is diminished.
Shallow Cut is a diamond that appears larger than it weighs as most of the weight is in the diameter.
Light is not reflected properly, and the diamond also appears less brilliant.
Carat Weight
Of the 4C’s, Carat Weight is the easiest to determine since all precious gems are weighed in carats. The word
carat is derived from carob, a weight measurement from ancient times when the carob seed was used for its uniform
weight. Diamonds are accurately weighed only when they are loose, or free from any mounting. Lee Michaels’
diamonds are weighed loose on an electronic calibrated scale which is part of our American Gem Society (AGS)
Accredited Gem Laboratory.
The universally recognized metric carat equals .2 grams or 1/142 of an ounce and is divided into 100 points.
Thus, a one-half carat diamond is 50 points or .50 carat. As diamonds increase in weight, the price per carat
increases geometrically rather than arithmetically due to the rarity factor. The diamond production from 23
tons of blueground averages 4.5 carats of rough material, of which only one carat is gem quality before cutting.
So, of the diamonds mined annually, at most only 10% are gem quality when cut and finished. Thus, a diamond
that weighs 2.00 carats will be worth significantly more than a 1.00 carat diamond of the same quality.
Color
Whether colorless, bright canary yellow, warmest mocha, exotic black, or rarest pink, diamonds have a
powerful effect on the eye and the heart. Color in diamonds results from traces of other elements which mixed with
carbon during the diamond’s formation. Although the amount of color evident in a diamond varies widely,
generally gem-quality diamonds when seen alone appear to be colorless to the untrained eye. Most diamonds
actually contain a subtle hint of yellow, brown, grey, but the colorless or near colorless are the most valuable.
To determine the color of an unmounted diamond, Lee Michaels compares the loose diamond to an American Gem
Society (AGS) “Master Set” of diamonds whose color, clarity and proportion have been certified. Lee
Michaels diamonds are color graded in an Accredited Gem Laboratory using a diamond light developed specifically
for color grading. A color grade is then assigned according to the diamond’s deviation from the colorless diamond.
Clarity
Your diamond’s clarity profile is determined by the unique characteristics found within it. Since no
two diamonds are alike, nature has identified each diamond by its “inclusions”, its fingerprints. Generally
these inclusions are minute imbedded crystals or other minerals trapped in the diamond during its formation.
They are a part of each diamond’s story and allow it’s origin and individuality to be confirmed.
Diamond clarity is judged by the lack of inclusions. Where inclusions are present, their appearance, number
and placement affect the diamond’s clarity grade. A diamond is termed “flawless” only if it
has no internal inclusions or external detriments visible under a standard ten-power jeweler’s loupe. Diamond
graders trained by the GIA and the AGS determine the clarity grade of diamonds through the use of a 10X binocular
microscope. Flawless and internally flawless diamonds are exceedingly rate, and their worth is extraordinary.
Federal regulations prohibit the use of the term “perfect” unless a diamond is colorless, flawless and very finely
cut. Lee Michaels equips each of its stores with a gem microscope to aid you in learning about clarity. Our
diamond sales professionals will invite you to use the microscope as you determine which clarity meets your personal ideal.
Confidence
Just as important as the 4Cs of diamond quality is the Lee Michaels Fifth C- Confidence in us as your preferred
jeweler of choice. Lee Michaels demonstrates that commitment to you through our professional and gemological credentials,
superior service, quality and value.
Our Diamond Buyer's Bill of Rights
1. You have the right to expect the color, clarity, and carat weight of the diamond to be stated clearly
on the tag. GIA instructs that diamonds can only be graded accurately before they are mounted.
2. You have the right to expect every diamond will be graded in a manner consistent with the standards
of an AGS or a GIA accredited laboratory.
3. You have the right to a written valuation from the seller, including color, clarity, carat weight, and value.
4. You have the right to expect the seller to identify and guarantee the exact weight of the diamond.
5. You have the right to sales associates with AGS or GIA certification. The certificates of accreditation should be displayed prominently in the store.
Reasons to buy your diamond from Lee Michaels
1. At Lee Michaels, we respect and uphold the Diamond Buyer's Bill of Rights for each and every diamond customer.
2. At Lee Michaels, we guarantee your money back within sixty (60) days of purchase, no reasons required, if
not completely satisfied with your Lee Michaels diamond.
3. At Lee Michaels we reject more than eight out of ten diamonds to find the two that are superior in cut, clarity, and color.
4. At any time you may trade in your Lee Michaels Diamond toward the purchase of another Lee Michaels Diamond
provided your new selection is twice the retail value of the diamond to be traded. Lee Michaels will evaluate
your trade-in diamond and offer you the current value or the original purchase price, whichever is greater,
towards your new purchase.
5. At Lee Michaels, we provide free diamond Education Without Obligation to assist you in making an informed
diamond purchase decision. Our free booklet, How to Buy a Diamond, is yours for the asking.
6. At Lee Michaels, we offer our extensive Diamond Guarantee with your diamond purchase, which is explained in its
entirety by our trained sales associates.
7. We adhere to the standards of the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America.
8. Lee Michaels assures you that we only purchase diamonds from suppliers that affirm that the diamonds are from
legitimate sources who are in full compliance with the United Nations Resolutions on conflict-free diamond trading.
9. Your diamond up to four carats will be replaced at no charge whether lost from the original mounting or
damaged in the mounting, provided: Lee Michaels’ professionals inspect and service the diamond every
six months; any recommended repairs are made; and each inspection is recorded in the Diamond Inspection Log
on the back of the Ultimate diamond Guarantee you receive with your purchase. Some terms and limitations apply.
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