THE ART OF THE DIAMOND: A MASTER'S GUIDE TO BRILLIANCE
A diamond is more than a technical grade, it is a capture of light and a legacy in the making.
At Tsiropoulos Jewelry, we believe that understanding the 4Cs is the first step toward finding a stone that resonates with your personal story.
Explore our guide to discover the harmony of cut, color and character.
SIZE & WEIGHT
Diamond Carat Weight is the industry’s technical measurement of a diamond’s mass, defined precisely as 200 milligrams. This weight directly influences the diamond’s apparent size—how large it appears when viewed from the top, or its visual diameter. Each carat is meticulously divided into 100 ‘points’ for precise grading and pricing. Crucially, because larger diamonds are exponentially more rare, the price rises sharply with carat weight. Understanding that Carat is the measure of weight which dictates the stone’s final visual scale is the first step toward appreciating the exceptional value and enduring presence of your chosen stone.
The Purity
Clarity measures the absence of natural imperfections: inclusions (internal birthmarks) and blemishes (surface characteristics). Since diamonds are created by nature under intense heat and pressure, nearly all possess unique “birthmarks” that serve as their natural fingerprint.
Grading & Selection
Clarity is evaluated by a trained gemologist using 10x magnification. The GIA Clarity Scale contains 11 grades, ranging from Flawless (FL)—where no characteristics are visible—to Included. Our primary goal is to guide you to diamonds where inclusions are not visible to the naked eye.
The Smart Investment
Choosing diamonds in this visually pure range allows you to achieve the stunning beauty of a clean stone without paying the significant premium demanded by the ultra-rare Flawless grades. This strategic selection maximizes the visual impact of your diamond while optimizing your investment.
The Tone
Color refers to the subtle presence—or absence—of yellow or brown tint within a diamond. Truly colorless diamonds are exceptional and highly valued for their purity. The standard GIA Color Scale accurately represents this spectrum, beginning with the ultimate benchmark, D (colorless) and descending to Z (light saturation).
While distinctions between grades are often too subtle for the untrained eye to detect, these minute differences can have a significant impact on the price.
The Sparkle
While a diamond’s shape defines its silhouette, the term Cut refers to how the stone’s complex proportions, angles and facets interact with light. Cut is the most crucial of the 4Cs because it determines the diamond’s brilliance, fire and sparkle—the very characteristics that bring the stone to life. A number of factors influence a diamond’s Cut grade, including its overall face-up appearance, design integrity and the precision of its craftsmanship.
The GIA Cut Scale for standard round brilliant cut diamonds ranges from Excellent to Fair. We exclusively select stones with an Excellent grade to guarantee maximum light return and unmatched performance.
Choose Your Silhouette
ROUND BRILLIANT
For the traditionalist who values maximum sparkle: it is the undisputed icon of light and fire.
OVAL
For the trendsetter: a flattering, elongated shape that offers a modern twist on the round brilliant while lengthening the finger.
ASSCHER
For the Art Deco lover: a vintage-inspired square cut with an architectural depth that feels both royal and refined.
CUSHION
For the dreamer: its soft, rounded corners and “crushed ice” sparkle offer a romantic, antique feel.
EMERALD
For the sophisticated minimalist: its long “step-cut” facets offer a hall-of-mirrors effect that exudes understated elegance.
RADIANT
For the vibrant personality: it combines the elegant shape of an emerald cut with the intense fire of a round brilliant.
PEAR
For the graceful artist: a unique “teardrop” shape that combines the brilliance of a round cut with a sophisticated, asymmetrical edge.
MARQUISE
For the glamorous individualist: an elongated silhouette with pointed ends that creates a dramatic, finger-lengthening effect.
PRINCESS
For the modern romantic: a sharp, contemporary shape that balances bold edges with intense brilliance.
HEART
For the true romantic: a bold and symbolic choice that represents ultimate devotion and sentiment.
A Guide to Style and Value
The shape of a diamond is the physical silhouette you see when looking down at the stone. It is the most aesthetic choice you will make, directly defining the style of your engagement ring—whether it’s classic, modern, or vintage. Crucially, the shape you choose also directly influences the price and the diamond’s perceived size.
The Classic Standard: ROUND BRILLIANT
The Round Brilliant is the most popular diamond shape globally. This shape commands a higher price than all other shapes due to two primary factors:
Maximum Brilliance: Its symmetrical cut is engineered to provide the greatest return of light, fire and sparkle.
Higher Cost to Produce: The cutting process requires more rough diamond material to be discarded, resulting in increased manufacturing costs.
The Smart Choice: FANCY SHAPED DIAMONDS
All shapes other than the Round Brilliant are known as Fancy Shaped Diamonds. Choosing a fancy shape can represent exceptional value—often resulting in savings compared to a round diamond of similar carat weight and quality.
Elongated Shapes: Shapes like Oval, Marquise and Pear have an elongated design that makes them appear larger than a Round Brilliant diamond of the exact same carat weight.
Popularity: Nearly one-third of all modern engagement rings feature a fancy shape, with the Princess, Cushion and Radiant being the most sought-after styles.
FANCY SHAPES
We proudly offer a refined selection of fancy shapes to match every vision, including the timeless Princess, elegant Emerald, architectural Asscher, romantic Cushion, stunning Marquise, brilliant Radiant, captivating Oval, sophisticated Pear and classic Heart.
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