In school, getting a “D” is not something that a student strives for; however, in the diamond hierarchy, a D-grade is the highest honor bestowed on the popular gemstone and very much desired by individuals. Baribault Jewelers, a third-generation, family-owned, fine jewelry company in Glastonbury, is offering a free educational seminar on the different diamond grades on April 21st, 22nd, 23rd in honor of the sparkly birthstone of the month.
“All diamonds are not equal! When you look at a D-grade diamond you can see the difference in radiance right away,” said Baribault Jewelers Owner Lewis Baribault, Jr.. “Since they are completely clear and colorless, they reflect the most light and create the most sparkle making them the most in demand stones.”
Although many people assume that diamonds are transparent and colorless, Baribault emphasizes that most have a hint of color. Their pigmentation may range from a slight tint invisible to the naked eye to darker colors that are more obvious. D-color diamonds are often referred to as white diamonds because they truly are completely colorless both to the naked eye and under magnification, hence earning them the highest rating on the color scale.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed the diamond color grading scale in the 1950s. The Institute understood that having an objective color spectrum would build trust when trading diamonds. The scale ranges from D to Z, starting with the stones that appear colorless even when viewed under a microscope. Since D-color diamonds are the highest on the color scale, they are extremely rare and only a tiny percentage are available to the public
In business for nearly 75 years, Baribault Jewelers has established solid relationships in the diamond industry and has a proven reputation of sourcing the most special stones. “Like any individual, each diamonds’ personality is different so the need for an expert’s eye when matching them is imperative,” adds Baribault.
For instance, creating a multi-stone tennis bracelet with all GIA-certified, D-color diamonds is extremely difficult since all of the diamonds must match exactly in color to produce the most radiant piece. Similarly, in the case of diamond stud earrings, each pair must be matched perfectly by GIA certification and GIA gemologists’ eyes to ensure that the brilliance is compatible.
“You probably will never be able to go into any jewelry store in the world and see this many white diamonds and that’s what really sets us apart,” said Baribault. “We’ve dedicated an entire showcase to them and excited to make them accessible to the entire Connecticut community.”
The D-Grade Diamond Education Event will take place on April 21, 22and 23 and feature a special collection of the colorless stones, as well as a variety of hand-crafted diamonds by Tacori, an internationally renowned diamond design company, that specializes in “blooming” diamonds, a process in which a standalone diamond is encircled with smaller stones that increases the original size of the stone by up to thirty percent.
“Diamonds are without a doubt the most popular in the gem family and the options are endless in how we can create and customize diamond pieces that will make the most meaningful memories,” said Baribault. “After all, that’s what it’s all about!”
About Baribault Jewelers
Since 1948, Baribault Jewelers has been guided by its core values of authenticity, integrity, service, gratitude, courage, trust and respect in providing sterling service to its local, statewide and national clientele. While styles come and go, the mission of the family business has always been to help its valued customers create beautiful memories with the people they love. Visit www.baribaultjewelers.com.