How did the 4Cs of Diamond Quality Come to Be?

Because diamonds are so valuable, it’s essential for industry professionals to have a universal grading system when comparing diamond quality. In the mid-twentieth century, GIA developed the International Diamond Grading System™ and the 4Cs as a way to objectively compare and evaluate diamonds.

The Four Cs of diamond quality will give you a multitude of information about a diamond’s characteristics and value, but they can’t begin to describe one elusive quality – beauty. To do that, you’ll need to experience the diamond with your own eyes. Here is a brief explanation of each of the 4Cs.

Carat weight is the most intuitive of the 4Cs – you expect a larger diamond to be worth more when assigning diamond values.

Diamonds and other gemstones are weighed using metric carats with one carat weighing about the same as a small paper clip, or 0.2 grams. Just as a dollar is divided into 100 pennies, a carat is divided into 100 points which means that a diamond of 50 points weighs 0.50 carats. But two diamonds of equal weight can have very different values depending on the other three characteristics of a diamond’s 4Cs: clarity, color, and cut. The majority of diamonds used in fine jewelry weigh one carat or less.

Because even a fraction of a carat can represent a considerable difference in cost when purchasing diamonds, exact precision is crucial. In the diamond industry, weight is measured to a thousandth of a carat and rounded to the nearest hundredth. Each hundredth is called a point (a 0.25 ct. diamond would be called a “twenty-five pointer”). Diamond weights greater than one carat are expressed in carats and decimals. (For instance, a 1.08 ct. stone would be described as “one point oh eight carats,” or “one oh eight.”)

Diamond Clarity refers to the absence of internal inclusions or external blemishes.

Because they are created deep within the earth, most diamonds contain unique birthmarks called inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external). Diamonds with very few birthmarks are rare and, of course, rarity affects a diamond’s value. Using the International Diamond Grading System™, created by GIA, diamonds are given a clarity grade that ranges from flawless (FL) to diamonds with more prominent inclusions (I3).

Every diamond is unique. But none are absolutely perfect even though some come close, even under 10x magnification. Known as flawless diamonds, they are exceptionally rare. Most jewelers have never even see one.

The GIA Clarity Scale contains 11 grades, with most readily available diamonds falling into the VS or SI categories. In determining a clarity grade, GIA considers the size, nature, position, color or relief, and quantity of clarity characteristics visible under 10x magnification.

• Flawless (FL)
  No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification
• Internally Flawless (IF)
  No inclusions and only minor blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification
• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)
  Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10× magnification
• Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)
  Inclusions are clearly visible under 10× magnification but can be characterized as minor
• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)
  Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader using 10× magnification
• Imperfect (I1, I2, and I3)
  Inclusions are obvious under 10× magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance

The Color of the diamond is all about what you can’t see.

Diamonds are valued by how closely they approach colorlessness – the less color, the higher the value. Most diamonds found in jewelry stores run from colorless to near-colorless with slight hints of yellow or brown. The only exceptions are the fancy-color diamonds that lie outside of this range.

GIA’s diamond color-grading scale is the industry’s most widely accepted grading system. The scale begins with the letter D, representing colorless, and continues, with increasing presence of color, to the letter Z. Diamonds are color-graded by comparing them to stones of known color under controlled lighting and precise viewing conditions.

Many of these color distinctions are so subtle that they are invisible to the untrained eye. But these slight color differences make a very big difference in diamond quality and price.

Cut fuels the diamond’s fire, sparkle, and brilliance.

It seems miraculous that the traditional 58 tiny facets in a diamond, each precisely cut and sharply defined, may be only two millimeters in diameter. But without this precision, a diamond wouldn’t be near as beautiful as it is. Without a doubt, the allure of a particular diamond depends more on cut than anything else.

Though extremely difficult to analyze, the cut of a diamond has three attributes: brightness (the total light reflected from a diamond), fire (the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum), and scintillation (the light flashes – or sparkle – when a diamond moves).

An understanding of diamond cut begins with the shape of a diamond, with the standard round brilliant dominating the majority of diamond jewelry. All other diamond shapes are known as fancy shapes or fancy cuts and include the marquise, pear, oval, and emerald cuts. Hearts, cushions, triangles, and a variety of other new shapes are also gaining popularity in many forms of diamond jewelry.

As a value factor, though, cut refers to a diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish. For example, look at a side view of the standard round brilliant. The major components, from top to bottom, are the crown, the girdle, and the pavilion. A round brilliant cut diamond can have either 57 or 58 facets, the 58th being a tiny flat facet at the bottom of the pavilion, known as the culet. The large, flat facet on the top is the table. The proportions of a diamond refer to the relationships between table size, crown angle, and pavilion depth. A wide range of proportion combinations are possible, and these ultimately affect the stone’s synchronicity with light.

In early 2005, GIA unveiled a diamond cut grading system for standard round brilliants in the D-to-Z color range. This system, the product of more than 15 years of intensive research and testing, assigns an overall diamond cut grade ranging from Excellent to Poor.

The Confer family would be pleased to help you profess your love with a dazzling diamond that sparkles with the promise of eternity.

For over 35 years, we have made it our tradition to provide extraordinary customer service.  As members of the Independent Jewelers Organization, the world’s largest buying group, we can offer variety and exceptional quality. We annually travel to Antwerp Belgium, The Diamond Capitol of the world. We buy directly from the cutters, allowing us to hand select exquisite diamonds at significant savings.

We have a Master Graduate Gemologist and a jeweler on staff to help with the selection and preservation of your precious purchase. We offer free cleaning and inspection of your jewelry for life.

Confer’s Jewelers

100 North Allegheny Street
Bellefonte, PA 16823

Telephone: (814) 355-8836
Email:
Website: www.confersjewelers.com

Preserve your wedding memories with a beautiful hand-drawn or oil-painted portrait from professional artist Christy Wells.
Christy’s work has been featured in international publications and shown in galleries in DC. Christy is also a Grumbacher Certified Fine Arts Instructor at Michaels in State College, as well as offering private instruction.

Bring your wedding photos- casual or professional, to the artist who can turn them into a work of art!

To see the galleries go to: http://graceimpressions.com
Visit the Bridal Tab for pricing.

934 Southgate Dr.
State College, PA 16801

Contact: Christy Wells
Telephone: (814) 574-6912
Email:
Website: http://graceimpressions.com

Shower the Bride in Jewelry!

Throw out the cheesy shower games & gifts the bride might or might not return. It’s time to party Silpada Style!!! With a Silpada Bridal Shower, your gift to the bride is a gift to yourself!!!
Everyone gets to come, play in the jewelry & order whatever they want.
Then the bride gets to pick out her jewelry FREE!!!  (Usually $200-$300!)
It’s the easiest & best way to help the bride prepare for her wedding!

For a free catalog & more details, call or email today!

934 Southgate Dr.
State College, PA 16801

Contact: Christy Wells, Independent Silpada Jewelry Representative
Telephone: (814) 574-6912
Email:
Website: http://graceimpressions.com

Photo Flare is Central PA’s first choice for the ultimate photo booth experience.  Our photo booths provide stylish design, LED custom lighting and professional equipment.  With superior attention to detail from start to finish, you and your guests will have memories that will last a lifetime.   Serving all of central Pennsylvania and Western Maryland.  Contact us today to start the ultimate entertainment experience!

Tyrone, PA 16686

Contact: Matthew Miller
Telephone: 814-686-7800
Email:
Website: www.myphotoflare.com

Organic Facials, Stress-Relieving Massages, Xtreme Eyelash Extensions, Award-Winning Bridal MakeUp, Detoxifying Body Wraps and Sugar Scrubs, Long-Lasting Manicures and Soothing Pedicures are just the beginning of what awaits at ESSpa Kozmetika @ The Carnegie Inn. Our team of Professionals know how important your wedding day is. We have years of experience planning memorable, picture perfect events and will do everything necessary to accommodate your every request – including overnight, onsite luxury accommodations and gourmet meals and superlative, stress-free spa treatments – for 1 bride or 50 guests. Just ask Eva. Call Today! Be it a Bridal Shower, Bachelorette Party, or just some quiet time together for Mother & Daughter – we are the only spa in Central PA designed specifically to treat you.

We also have special Perfect Preparation Packages to ensure your beautiful mind, body and soul. Here is an example:

Three Months Before Wedding:
Complimentary Consultation to determine exactly what you want and the best way to deliver the results you desire. Facials and Hot Stone Massages.

Two  Months Before Wedding:
Begin Series of Hungarian Long Facials and Stress-Reducing Hot Stone Massages.

One Month Before Wedding:
Continue Facial treatments (1 treatment is not sufficient). European Body Salt Glow. Volcanic Mud Body Treatment. Go over styles and have MakeUp Trial Application.

One Week Before Wedding:
Hot Lava Pedicure. Citrus Greens Back Treatment. Spa Party.

The Day Before and/or Day of The Wedding:
ESSpa Kozmetika Signature Swedish Massage. Ultimate Signature Manicure. MakeUp Application. Spa Gift.

The Carnegie Inn & Spa
100 Cricklewood Dr.
State College, PA 16803

Contact: Eva Kerschbaumer
Telephone: 814-380-9772
Email:
Website: www.esspa.us/wedding_bridal_services
Visit us on:  

Sweet Innovations is a subsidiary of Hoag’s Catering at Celebration Hall. Allow us to help you make your day more memorable by customizing your wedding cake or Creating that special dessert for any occasion. We appreciate your inquiry and will be happy to consult you about your upcoming event.

“From Basic to Elaborate, Let us show you what we’re made of!”

We specialize in:

Groom’s Cakes
Specialty Cookie Displays
Traditional & Custom Wedding Cakes
Birthday Cakes of all shapes and sizes
Custom and regular Cupcakes
Miniature Pastries
Cake Pops
& Much more!

Visit us on our Facebook Page for Creative Ideas!

2280 Commercial Blvd.
State College, PA 16801

Contact: Rachel Foust or Casey Grove
Telephone: 814-238-0824
Email:
Website: www.Sweetibyr.com

CPR has served the Centre Region since 1985. Let us use our expertise to plan your upcoming wedding reception or event. We own a Catering Service / Banquet Facility so we truly know how to service your rental needs from start to finish. CPR operates on a 24/7 schedule and is large enough to be there for our customers when they need us. We offer complete setup and major discounts for multiple services. Whether it is tents, tables & chairs, stages, dance floors, linens, china, chair covers, punch or chocolate fountains, Kegerators, frozen drink machines or more, CPR has you covered. Please visit our Facebook Page to see what we can do.

2280 Commercial Blvd.
State College, PA 16801

Contact: Skip Moerschbacher
Telephone: (814) 238-0824
Email:
Website: www.hoagscatering.com

Choosing the wine for your special day is an important detail.  You taste and choose the wedding food and cake ahead of time, so why not taste and choose the wine in advance, too? In addition to sampling the wine ahead of time, there are many other things to consider when choosing the wine for your wedding reception.

Selecting Your Wine
If you are obliged to buy wine from your caterer/wedding venue, then they may be able to assist you in selecting wines appropriate to go with your menu, whether it be appetizers or a meal.  If you are able to bring the wine yourself, you have a lot of choices.  You may already have a favorite wine or two you would like to serve at the wedding. Your choices can make your special day all the more enchanting and allow you to personalize your wedding by sharing your favorite wines with your guests.

Basic Rule of Thumb for Wine and Food Pairing

Most food and wine experts believe that the most basic element of food and wine pairing is understanding the balance between the “weight” of the food and the weight (or body) of the wine.  In matching the body of the wine with that of the food, you should pair a delicate dish with a light white (Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc).  On the other hand, a hearty dish will be enhanced by a full-bodied red (Cabernet Sauvignon) or full-bodied white (Oaky Chardonnay).  The time-honored adage of “White wine with fish; red wine with meat” has become somewhat outdated due to the variety of wine styles prevalent in modern winemaking, but is still useful as a starting point. 

Consider the Particulars of Your Wedding

• You and Your Guests – What kind of wine do you like? How about your friends and family?  Would your guests enjoy one or two really nice glasses of wine to sip as they socialize? Or, is wine not that important to your guests?
• Time of Year – Is your reception scheduled for the middle of summer or the dead of winter? The season could make a difference in what wine you decide to serve your guests–are you trying to warm them up or cool them off? If you are hosting an outdoor reception and the weather is expected to be warm, plan accordingly and serve a refreshing, lighter wine like a Pinot Gris or Sauvignon Blanc. Winter is a good time to consider a Cabernet, Merlot, or Shiraz.
• Time of Day – Are you having a day or evening wedding? People may drink a little less at an afternoon wedding than at an evening affair.
• Your Budget – If you have the option to bring your own, determine whether it makes more sense to order off the wine list at your wedding venue or pay the corkage fee, which can be between $5 and $25 a bottle. The fee covers staff service to open and pour the wines, and makes up for some of the income lost since you didn’t buy the wine from them. There may be room for negotiation on corkage; it never hurts to ask. Remember that it’s standard practice for hotels and restaurants to mark up the price of their wines to two or three times the wholesale price.  Also, check ahead to see whether the wedding venue charges a service fee on top of the corkage.

Best to Have a Couple Choices -  Red, White (or Rose . . )
Although sparkling wine is a wedding fixture (for the toast especially) consider serving one red and one white wine if the reception includes a meal or hors d’oeuvres. Professional wedding planners advise serving equal amounts of red and white wine.  For those who want to pour just one wine with the meal, there is a happy compromise -  dry rosé, a wine that’s refreshing and also substantial enough to drink with sturdy foods.

Some White Wine Top Picks
As far as you choice of white wine goes, look to Sauvignon Blanc, a versatile white that goes well with seafood, chicken, eggs, vegetables, and salads. Or select the crowd-pleasing, easy-to-drink Pinot Gris.  An unoaked or lightly oaked Chardonnays would be great to sip alone and be a better match with a wider range of dishes than the toasty, buttery type of Chardonnay.

Some Red Wine Top Picks
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular red wine in America, and it’s best suited to serving with hearty beef and lamb dishes. Merlot is a lighter style and very versatile, as is the earthy Pinot Noir, both of which pair well with light red meats, pork, and poultry.

The Middle Ground – Rose
Dry rosé is crisp and fruity and does not have the sweetness of white Zinfandel and other blush wines. It pairs beautifully with salads, poultry, pork, tuna, salmon, and even sirloin. Rosé also hits the spot in both warm and cool weather, day and night.

How Much to Buy

• It’s better to have too much wine than not enough. Guests complain when the wine runs out and they still have prime rib on their plate, or if they have an empty glass for the toast.
• The standard 750-ml wine bottle holds 25 ounces; count on five servings of wine, at five ounces each, from one bottle. For sparkling wines served in flutes, allow for four ounces per serving (plus foam), which equals six servings per bottle.
• Most caterers count on each guest consuming one-half bottle of wine—roughly two glasses—every two hours. If the party lasts four hours, count on one 25-ounce bottle per person. These calculations allow for the fact that some folks will drink more, some less, and some not at all. One bottle each might seem like a lot of wine, but consider that your guest may want to sample everything, even though they don’t drain their glasses.  Most retailers will take back unopened bottles of the wines they sell to you as long as the labels and cork area haven’t been damaged or stained.

Last but not Least -  the Wedding Cake
If champagne will be served with the wedding cake—perhaps during the toast—pour one that has a sweetness that can stand up to the cake or whatever other dessert is served. Most sparkling wines are labeled “brut,” meaning they’re quite dry and contain less than 1.5 percent sugar. That dryness will make the wine taste metallic and bitter with sweet desserts.  Look for a “demi-sec” bubbly, with 3.3 to 5 percent sugar because it has the sweetness that will complement the cake.

If you are a wine lover and are hoping to incorporate your passion for the vine into your big day there are plenty of unique and creative options to do just that!  One such option would be to order wine with custom labels from a local winery.  At Mount Nittany Vineyard & Winery we offer custom wine labels to commemorate your occasion, as well as wine and food pairing advice and free tasting.

Wedding photos are one of the most important investments of your big day.  They will remind you of your special day for years to come.  You want to look your very best.

Important elements include the wedding dress, a great photographer and the perfect look.

During the stresses of the day, and there will be some, you want to make sure your makeup stays fresh and is picture appropriate.  Things you do not want include a shiny face, running mascara or unseen lipstick.  Consulting a professional beauty consultant/makeup expert makes it easier to get the desired look.  If you are intending not to put on any makeup, reconsider.  At least use some powder on your face to give you a softer appearance and avoid shine.  If you are a girl who usually doesn’t wear much makeup or has a natural look, don’t go the complete opposite direction and wear a ton.  You still want to make sure it looks like you and that you are comfortable with what you have on.  If you are uncomfortable it will show in pictures.

A professional should sit down with you; ask questions about colors, time of day and what you are comfortable with wearing.  One of the most important things to remember about makeup is that you need to have clean skin underneath it.  If you have clean skin, you don’t have to use makeup to cover up skin problems.  Starting at least a few months before your wedding is a good idea so if there are issues they can be taken care of.

Trying a few different looks and taking pictures of each is a good idea.  This way you can compare looks and find your favorite.  A matte, rather then a shimmery finish is best for eye and cheek makeup.  It looks more natural and photographs better, while shimmer can look greasy under flash. Under foundation you can use a primer to fill in any scars or large pores.  It gives a flawless finish and helps foundation to stay put longer.  Apply eye and cheek color a little heavier than normal but neatly and precisely. Fake lashes and a few coats of mascara will make your natural lashes stand out so they will be seen in photographs.  You may want to use waterproof mascara for any of those emotional moments.

Many brides want to coordinate their bridesmaids’ looks.  You will want to start this process early so that everyone is comfortable and has what they need to look their best.  This can be a great time to get the girls together and have fun trying new looks.

Don’t forget the groom!  If his face is red or he has a shiny head a little powder can help.  Also have him carry Chap Stick to keep lips moisturized so they do not appear dry.

Things to carry with you on the wedding day include pressed powder to touch up during the day and combat shine and lipstick or lip gloss to freshen your lips.

Be confident, know you look amazing and strike a pose!

Kelly Yost is an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics.  For over two years she has been helping women look and feel their best.  She loves her business and aspires to become a Mary Kay Director.  She resides in State College with her husband Ryan and two cats, Achilles & Isis.

Planning a wedding is a ton of work, right?

NittanyWeddings.com is here to help make your planning easier, but how exactly can it do that? Let’s look at a few key features of our little site and how it can help you.

First up:  The Directory is the most-visited section of the NittanyWeddings.com website – it is the engine behind the site.  This is a listing of Wedding Professionals that are all local to the State College and Centre County Region. All of the Professionals in the Directory are just that – Professionals. They are respected members of the Wedding Community who make it their life’s work to make your wedding the best day it can be.

The directory is divided up into categories.  Click on the category you’re looking for, or search for the business by name in the search area. Once you’re in a category, you’ll see a list of Professionals in alphabetical order.  To read more details about a particular vendor, click “More Info.” This is where you’ll read a brief description about the Professional.  Read the descriptions.  The Pros put a lot of thought into what they’ve said there.  They try to condense what they do into a few words to help you determine quickly if they might be a good fit for you.

From there, you can find all of the Professional’s contact information including their website, phone number, and email address.  There is also a Map with their address, but remember that many wedding vendors work from their homes, so you may want to make sure you contact them in advance of appearing on their doorstep!

Next up: The Articles. You are reading one right now. Our articles are unique because they are written by actual Wedding Professionals in this area.  You can find the latest new article on the Home Page of NittanyWeddings.com, or access the articles in multiple places on the site such as from the toolbar at the top or the right column on any page. You can search by browsing through the articles in the newest-to-oldest order, or you can search by article category.

Use the articles to answer any questions you may have, find out what to ask your Wedding Professionals, or help reassure you with any issues or problems that you may come across in your planning process. Our Professionals are always willing to share their knowledge, so if you ever want a topic covered in an article, don’t hesitate to let us know, and we’ll get an article written to help you.

The Forum is one of our newer additions to the site. We created the Discussion Forum to give you a place to openly ask questions, share ideas, and discuss anything that you want. You are not the only stressed-out bride out there, so the Forum is a place where you can connect with other brides who are going through the same thing as you. Share your joys, your challenges, ask questions, share your tips. The forum is designed totally for you!

Lastly, there are other ways to utilize NittanyWeddings away from NittanyWeddings.com. By “Liking” our page on Facebook, or following us on Twitter, you can keep updated on anything and everything that is going on in the State College Area Wedding World. We keep up on what is going on, and what our Wedding Professionals are up to whether it is news, promotions, contests, whatever.  By Following us, we will lead you on a path of easy and stress-free wedding planning.

NittanyWeddings.com has quite a bit to offer to help you. Lastly,  here are a few more wedding planning and directory tips as you’re doing your research:

TIPS:

Location doesn’t matter. Don’t worry about what city one of our Professionals is from.  Really.  If they are listed in the directory, that means they’re willing to travel to the State College, Altoona,  and surrounding area.  Don’t be afraid to give them a chance just because it sounds like they’re far away.

Set up a personal meeting with the Professional if you can.  You will most likely be  interacting with them a lot,  so you absolutely want to meet them and make sure that they are a good fit to provide what you are looking for.

Take good notes. There’s a lot in your brain right now.  Make sure you have a good system for keeping track of who you’ve talked to and what you’ve said to them.  Don’t be afraid to write down things like your first impression, verbal promises, things you like/dislike about them.

Honor your commitments. Expect your Wedding Professional to act like a Professional, but give them the same professional courtesy. If you’re going to cancel on a Professional, give them as much notice as possible.  They make a promise to you to reserve that date and they often turn away business after confirming a date with you.  If you’re going to cancel your contract, let them know as early as possible because if you let them know too close to the wedding date, they don’t have an opportunity to find a replacement job and the Wedding Professional could be losing an entire day’s worth of work – which is very significant to the income of a small business owner.

Tell the Professional where you heard about them. They may ask you – but try to remember to tell them anyway!  It helps them a lot if you’re specific too.  “I found you on the internet” is helpful – but it doesn’t tell them if their advertising strategies are effective.  “I found you from a Google search” or “on NittanyWeddings.com” or from the” XYZ bridal show.”  That information is extremely helpful for a Wedding Professional.

Share your results. Once your wedding has happened, don’t hesitate to help your Wedding Professional out by providing them with a good review either somewhere on the web (like on NittanyWeddings.com under that Pro’s listing), or write them a note and agree to be a reference if the Professional needs someone to refer a future bride to.

All in all, your wedding should be a day that you enjoy – even though the path getting there may not seem that simple. Take your time,  enjoy the process, and you will be rewarded by a wonderful day with memories that will last a lifetime.

Do you have any tips for brides?  What has worked for you?  Do you have a great system?  Reply in the comments and let us know your tips!