Knowing what to look for in a diamond, and who to buy it from, are equally important. Our certified gemologists have laid out both.
The 4Cs of Diamond Quality
Every diamond is graded on four characteristics. Here is what each one actually means.
CUT
CUT
The true beauty of a diamond can never be seen until it is properly cut. The angle between any two facets must be accurate to bring out the full fire and brilliance. Symmetry, polish, and where the weight of the diamond is placed are all critical. Every diamond we carry must pass our standards for cut before it enters the store.
COLOR
COLOR
Color refers to the warmth, or interior color, of the diamond. A stone that falls within the colorless to near-colorless range is genuinely rare, and that rarity is reflected in its value.
CLARITY
CLARITY
A diamond's internal characteristics are examined when grading for clarity. These natural markings are often referred to as feathers, crystals, clouds, or spots. Our gemologists will walk you through the differences and explain why Underwoods only selects from the top 5% of diamond quality available.
CARAT
CARAT
Each diamond is measured by carat weight. One carat equals 100 points, so 50 points is one-half carat. As size increases, the price per carat rises at a much greater rate: a one-carat diamond of equal quality to a half-carat will typically cost three to four times as much, not twice as much.
Why We Only Carry Natural Diamonds
Sixty-five years ago, Bill Underwood made a promise: he would never sell anything he wouldn’t give to his own wife. That promise still guides us today. Underwoods carries only natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds do not have the same rarity and, in our view, cannot offer the same lasting value.
Every diamond in our store is guaranteed natural, ethically sourced, and purchased from sources we have vetted firsthand. Our diamonds are recovered under stringent regulations and third-party oversight.
Natural diamonds are formed deep within the earth over hundreds of millions of years. Their rarity cannot be manufactured, and that enduring value makes the Underwoods Lifetime Guarantee of Investment possible. Every major diamond we sell may be applied at up to 100% of its original purchase price toward a future diamond. To receive full trade-in value, the new diamond must be at least twice the original purchase price; otherwise, the trade-in value is capped at 50% of the new diamond’s price.
What a Natural Diamond Means
Rarity Has Worth
Natural diamonds are finite. Formed deep within the earth over hundreds of millions of years, their rarity cannot be manufactured or replicated.
Responsibly Sourced
Underwoods buys from vetted sources with third-party oversight and verified ethical practices. Our diamonds meet the standards of the Kimberley Process and support the communities where they are recovered.
Formed by Nature
Every natural diamond is the result of extraordinary time, pressure, and geology. That origin gives each stone a rarity and permanence that manufactured diamonds cannot reproduce.
Only the Top 5% of Diamond Quality
Underwoods only selects diamonds that meet our rigid standards for cut before they enter the store. Our Certified Gemologist Appraisers are here to answer questions and walk you through the specifics of any stone in our collection. Nothing is offered to a customer until it has passed through our Accredited Gem Lab.
