Alter’s Gems can help you make a one of a kind jewelry piece, whether it is for an engagement ring or for fashion, we can customize a ring for you. We'd love to discuss your requirements and explore some design possibilities with you, so please feel free to make an appointment to come in and meet us at our store, 3155 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706. Arguably one of the most important aspects of designing your own piece is finding the stone for you. With Alter’s you can search through loose diamonds to best fit your budget as well as your dreams on what makes a beautiful center piece.  First, here is a summary of important components about a diamond that set the value as well as what you can expect to see in person. Cut: Diamond cutting is part art, but within the confines of exacting scientific boundaries. The standard cut has 58 facets to optimize the light that passes through to catch and reflect that light for the best brilliance. However, depending on the size of the diamond and any flaws that may not always be the best cut and it is up to the expert diamond cutter to make that determination and produce a remarkable looking gem. Color: D-F grades are colorless face up and face down. G-J looks colorless face up and has a little color face down.  Anything J and higher, in natural sunlight, will be very hard to tell the difference. K and so on will start to show a little color face up. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, its just personal preference. Some people like a little color and warmth in their diamonds because it makes them stand out more. Clarity: Clarity is determined by the number, size, color, location, orientation and visibility of the inclusions and blemishes as seen under a 10X magnification. It’s perfectly fine to purchase a less than perfect stone, particularly as many of these imperfections are scarcely visible to the naked eye and often only when you are scrutinizing the diamond very closely. Click here for more information on clarity. Carat Weight: The size of the diamond is called its carat weight and actually refers to its mass. All other characteristics being equal, the carat weight is the biggest determinant of the price of a stone. A one carat diamond ring will always cost more than a ring made of smaller diamonds that weighs the same or even more. Fancy Colored Diamonds: If an element interacts with carbon atoms during diamond creation, the diamond’s color can change. Radiation and pressure on a diamond’s structure will also impact its color as well. Here is how fancy colored diamonds are formed: Yellow/Orange: The presence of nitrogen can impart yellow or orange shades to a diamond. Blue:  The presence of boron will impart a blue shade to a diamond ranging from deep blue to sky blue. Violet/Purple: The presence of hydrogen produces unique violet hues. Pink/Red/Brown: Tremendous pressure exerted on a diamond deep in the earth can abnormally compress its structure, thus creating a red, pink, purple or brown stone. Evidence of graining, which scientists believe is attributed to tremendous pressures under the earth can be seen at 10x in many Argyle pink and cognac diamonds. Green: Natural radiation impacting already formed diamonds over millions of years can give them a green hue. It is interesting to note that just a few days ago a few days ago the ‘Premier Blue’ a fancy, vivid blue, 7.59-carat diamond known as remains homeless after not meeting a minimum bid of $19 million at an auction in Hong Kong by Sotherby’s. In November the ‘Pink Star’ a 59.60-carat pink diamond which is the largest, fancy pink with an internally flawless grading by the GIA, will be up for auction in Geneva by Sotherby’s. With Alter’s Gems we’re here to help you find a home for the diamond that will make you and your friends exclaim, “HELLO!” Take some time to search on-line for he loose diamonds that we have available for you and don’t hesitate to call, e-mail or visit us for more information.