for its timeless elegance and classic beauty. Selecting a diamond is both fun and important. At Elebash's, we guide our customers through the diamond buying process in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, allowing the customer to make an informed and confident decision.

This page is designed to offer an introduction to diamonds. To better understand how diamonds are graded and characterized, we encourage you to stop by either of our locations to see, feel and examine the gems for yourself. Elebash's has a wide inventory of loose diamonds in every price range and 4 Registered Jewelers on staff ready to assist you in finding the perfect diamond for your special occasion.

A Guide to Buying a Diamond

Over time, certain guidelines have been established to help in choosing a quality diamond - the 4 C's: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The 4 C's work together in determining what makes a diamond beautiful.

1) Cut

This is the most important determinant of a diamond's beauty, and the only element directly affected by human skill and expertise. More than any other quality, cut determines the fire and brilliance of a diamond. A well-cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror-facet to another and disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow, the light is lost through the sides or bottom of the gem resulting in less brilliance.

2) Color

A diamond's true color is determined by viewing it from its side under balanced white light. Diamonds can range from colorless, which are extremely rare, to a light yellow, brown or gray color. And sometimes we see a natural blue or pink diamond that is extremely rare. Most diamonds appear white or clear to the naked eye; however most of them display a barely noticeable tint of color. Looking at different diamonds next to each other will help you get a better idea of the differences. One of our jewelers will gladly assist you in this process.

3) Clarity

Most diamonds have naturally identifying characteristics sometimes referred to as inclusions. Some of these charateristics include lines, crystals and feathers, which developed in the diamond during its formation. Many are not detectable by the naked eye, but can be seen under a jewelers magnifying microscope. Diamonds are clarity graded taking into consideration the size, nature, location, color, and number of the inclusions. The fewer the inclusions, the greater the value of the diamond.

4) Carat Weight

The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. One carat can also be divided into 100 "points" so that a .75 carat is the same as 75 points or 3/4 carat. As diamonds increase in size, their price per carat increases as well. Remember, however, that it's not just a diamond's carat weight or size that makes it valuable. All of the 4 C's - cut, color, clarity, and carat weight - work together to create the most beautiful diamonds.

5) Confidence

Elebash's provides its customers with perhaps the most important "C" of all - Confidence. Elebash's is pleased to offer its customers diamond certifications from the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America - the most trusted and respected independent gem labs in the country. Elebash's has been a member of the American Gem Society for over 60 years and its four Registered Jewelers have over 100 years of combined experience.