THE 4 C'S OF COLORED GEMSTONES
Where do you begin the journey into the magical world of color? What are the factors that make a gem rare and valuable?
 
Much like a diamond, the various combinations of a stone's cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, along with availability and accessibility, determine rarity. You will find a brief description of those features here. These explanations are based on the system for gemstone evaluation established by the Gemological Institute of America. For more information on GIA, please visit www.gia.org.

Gemstones

COLOR:
Color is typically the most important value-setting factor for gemstones. All gems have a preferred color or a relatively small range of preferred colors. The more the color varies from this range—lighter or darker, more vivid or less—the less valuable the stone.
 
Color is composed of three dimensions: hue, tone, and saturation.
 
Hue refers to the impression of color usually noticed immediately, such as red, yellow or blue.
Tone refers to the degree of lightness or darkness of an object.
Saturation defines the degree of purity of a hue.
 
CUT:

Cut refers to the shape or design of a stone, arrangement of facets, as well as the precision of the stone's proportions and finish. The cutting process reveals the beauty of a gem.
 
Gemstones are cut into shapes we are familiar with such as oval, emerald, pear, round, and marquise. In addition, they can be carved or fashioned into almost any design imaginable. Proportions involve the balance and appeal of the basic design. Finish refers to the detail of the workmanship. A well-proportioned cut with a fine finish will show a stone's optical properties to its fullest potential. When all other factors are even (color, clarity, and carat weight), a better-cut gem will be more valuable.
 
CARAT WEIGHT:

The size of a gemstone is measured, not by its dimensions, but by weight. One carat, the traditional unit of measurement for gemstones, is equal to approximately 0.2 grams. You may also hear the weight of a gemstone referred to in points. A point is equal to 1/100 of a carat; therefore a 75-point gemstone equals 0.75 carat.
 
Two different gemstones may have the same dimensions but different weights. This is due to the specific gravity or density of the gem mineral. This difference can help gemologists identify a gemstone.
 
Up to a certain point, the larger a stone is, the more rare it is and the higher the price it will command. For stones that commonly occur in larger sizes, the value may decrease if the gem reaches a size that makes it impractical for jewelry use.
Source: Gemological Institute of America.
 
CLARITY:

A gemstone's clarity grade is directly related to its rarity. Clarity refers to a gemstone’s relative freedom from clarity characteristics. Clarity characteristics include inclusions, which lie within the stone, or blemishes, which lie on the surface of a gem. The fewer clarity characteristics, the more rare the gemstone.
 
Each variety of gemstone has its own clarity standards. For example, Tanzanite is virtually inclusion-free, while Emerald almost always contains clarity characteristics. For this reason, Gemological Institute of America's grading system divides transparent colored gemstones into three clarity types. This allows gems to be more evenly evaluated as it takes into account the individual nature of each gemstone. Each type is further divided into five grading descriptions.
 
CLARITY TYPES:

Type I gems are often virtually free of clarity characteristics. The stones most commonly seen in the market include:

    Aquamarine
    Green Tourmaline
    Morganite
    Smoky Quartz
    Green Tourmaline
    Tanzanite
    Topaz – Blue
    Zircon – Blue

Type II gems normally contain clarity characteristics. The stones most commonly seen in the market include:

    Alexandrite
    Garnet
    Zircon – Green
    Amethyst
    Iolite
    Sapphire – all colors
    Zircon – Orange
    Ametrine
    Peridot
    Spinel - all colors
    Zircon - Red
    Citrine
    Ruby
    Tourmaline
    Zircon - Yellow
     

Type III gems almost always contain clarity characteristics. These include:

    Emerald
    Tourmaline – Watermelon

CLARITY GRADES:

    Type I: Usually eye-clean with no clarity characteristics visible to the unaided eye.
    Type II: Typically shows some eye-visible clarity characteristics that do not detract from the overall beauty of the gem.
    Type III: Almost always contain eye-visible clarity characteristics.

Our Next Special Event


Bassalimockup



PAST EVENTS


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Here is just a sample of the white gold diamond stud earrings on sale for Valentine's Day

 .25CTW H-I color, SI clarity, 3-prong martini setting WAS $450 NOW $337
.56CTW F-G color, II clarity, 3-prong martini setting WAS $750 NOW $562
.70CTW, H color, II clarity, 4-prong setting, WAS $1850 NOW $1387
1.03CTW, H-I color, II clarity, 3-prong martini setting WAS $3035 NOW $2276

Visit our stores for more selection and styles of earrings on sale through Valentine's Day

Would she love a diamond pendant instead? We have beautiful pendants on sale, too

 .26CTW, G color diamond cluster pendant in white gold, WAS $615 NOW $430.50
(chain sold separately)

 .60 CT round brilliant cut diamond set in 3-prongs, white gold WAS $2400 NOW $1680
(chain sold separately)

.60CTW Diamond Mosaic pendant in white gold, WAS $2950 NOW$1475
Visit our stores for additional diamond pendants on sale through Valentine's Day

Diamond Bracelets also on sale. Visit Bella Design Jewelers in Chagrin Falls or Eton Chagrin Boulevard (inside the mall) for selection of styles and pricing.


**** Exciting Past Events****

What's it Worth Event: March 18th - 20th 2017
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Holiday Celebration!


Join us for a Holiday Celebration on Thursday December 1st, 4 to 8 pm at our Chagrin Falls/Bainbridge store.
Enjoy drinks and light hors d' oeuvres while shopping sterling silver jewelry from local Cleveland artists Zenia Lis and Amy Pennell.  We are also excited to host a Qudo Jewelry Trunk Show.

Qudo is a new line of stainless steel jewelry with rose or yellow gold accents. You may have already seen and fallen in love with Qudo leather wrap bracelets in our stores. At the Trunk Show, you will have an opportunity to try their composable rings featuring interchangeable colorful crystals. With prices starting under 40 dollars, Qudo jewelry makes wonderful gifts for many on your holiday shopping list.

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And don't forget to fill out your personal Holiday Wishlist to make the holidays bright!


November 2016
Trunk Show featuring VSA Jewelry.


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Join Bella Design in Eton -Chagrin Boulevard for a show featuring VSA Jewelry along with fashions from Audrey Sweet Threads http://www.etonchagrinblvd.com/tenant/audreys-sweet-threads/ - Thursday November 3rd from 5 to 8 PM. Shop the great looks while enjoying light drinks and refreshments. Enter for a chance to win raffle prizes at both Bella Design and Audrey's.

VSA – Virgins, Saints, and Angels - is handcrafted jewelry infused with romance and magic. Each piece tells a story through its use of ancient symbols of protection and good fortune. VSA Jewelry blends hip design
with old world charm for a look that you'll fall in love with. Come to the show for a chance to see an extensive selection of the line.

If you can't make it on Thursday, drop into Bella at Eton on Friday for a chance to see the VSA line of spirited jewelry. And for our Bainbridge folks, we will show the line on Saturday, November 5th from 11 am to 5 pm.

Browse VSA NOW!

     Much, Much more to see and experience at  the Trunk Show! Don't miss it!

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Diamonds: Four C's of a Diamond

Fine diamonds are among the most coveted of all gems. Their value, however, differs widely from one diamond to another. Experts evaluate every diamond for rarity and beauty, using four primary guidelines. When you start to look at diamonds, you will want to know the stats on each stone. Known as the Four C's -; cut, carat, clarity, and color -; this will help you compare diamonds against each other and control your budget. (See section on Certified Diamonds for information about certification of diamonds). Click here for more on Loose Diamonds And ALSO SEARCH FOR LOOSE DIAMONDS!

Gems: THE 4 C'S OF COLORED GEMSTONES

Where do you begin the journey into the magical world of color? What are the factors that make a gem rare and valuable?
 

Much like a diamond, the various combinations of a stone's cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, along with availability and accessibility, determine rarity. You will find a brief description of those features here. These explanations are based on the system for gemstone evaluation established by the Gemological Institute of America. For more information on GIA, please visit www.gia.org. Click here for more on Loose Gemstones And ALSO SEARCH FOR LOOSE Gemstones!

Cleaning and Polishing

Has your jewelry lost its sparkle? We provide complimentary cleaning and inspections of all your fine jewelry in both our Chagrin Falls and Eton Chagrin Boulevard locations. Before cleaning your jewelry one of our jewelers will perform an inspection. Jewelry you wear every day, such as your engagement ring should be checked periodically to ensure its soundness. It only takes a few minutes and no appointment is necessary.