Are you considering the purchase of a stunning diamond or vivid colored stone for a memorable event, such as an engagement or anniversary? Karla Lewis, G.G.(GIA), owner of Best Friends Diamonds & Gems is a Graduate Gemologist specializing in gemstones – especially diamonds – of all shapes and sizes.

Please call 312-269-9999, to set up a consultation (or simply contact us using this Web site) regarding gemstone details and pricing information.

Available diamonds are purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations resolutions. Best Friends Diamonds & Gems hereby guarantees that all diamonds offered for sale are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by our suppliers.

What is…?

Brilliance – total amount of light returned to the eye by reflections from within the stone and from its surface.

Brilliant cut – triangle and kite-shaped facets (hence the term “round brilliant”).

Crown – top of the stone.

Dispersion – is a spreading and separating of white light into its component spectral hues.

Facet – tiny “faces” or cuts on a stone; the Lucére^® diamond has a total of 65 facets.

Fancy shapes – any shape other than round (for example: pear shape, princess cut, etc.).

Pavilion – bottom portion of the stone.

Step cut – concentric rows of trapezoidal facets (used on emerald cut and square emerald cut stones).

Table – large, central facet on the crown.