Diamonds

In his gemology class at the University of Kansas, Tom teaches his students to identify diamonds, determine whether they have been artificially treated, and investigate the most important features of diamond quality that help to determine the cost of the stone. At Tom Tivol Jewels, we teach the same thing to every client, but add something even more important … we ask lots of questions!

Every customer has different goals when purchasing a diamond. Some want a large diamond and are less concerned with quality than with carat weight. Others want a rare stone, even if it means a smaller diamond. And still others wanting the most beautiful diamond will sacrifice rarity to achieve it. Most people fall happily somewhere in the middle – they want to buy a great diamond at a great price, with all of the best qualities.

You need more than just a strong sales person to help you buy a diamond successfully. Even with his more than 35 years experience buying diamonds, and despite a solid reputation among a large and diverse customer base, we still encourage every client to interview Tom to determine his background in the business and the depth of his knowledge of diamonds, colored gemstones, and pearls. Those customers who ask the most questions often become our best clients!

Learn more about diamond gemology:

• Shape
• Brilliance and Fire
• Rarity
• Carat Weight
• Cost
• Laboratory Grading Report

read the blog

  • Refining Precious Metals

    2012-02-17

    Like all services within the jewelry industry, the liquidation of precious metal jewelry should be undertaken by a professional, who explains the process and provides their commission before their examination or testing starts. Identifying the karat content of metal is not as easy as it seems. This is especially true when the merchant is asked to separate authentic gold and silver coins from coin-like stampings which have a pure gold overlay atop some kind of base metal or sterling silver.

  • Amethyst: February Birthstone

    2012-02-01

    We begin the lovely month of February with a look at its princely birthstone, the amethyst, symbol of royalty, tracing its heritage to the Minoan civilization in ancient Greece about 2500 B.C. This is a gemstone that has been highly prized by monarchs of many countries over countless centuries, even though it is one of the most affordable and commonly available stones. Historians have absolutely no idea why kings and queens have loved this stone. Everyone knows the legend, that if you drink wine from a cup carved of amethyst, then you will never be drunk. Could it be that this story alone accounts for amethyst's royal favor?

  • Garnet: January Birthstone

    2012-01-09

    I believe almost everyone has seen or knows a garnet ... that red or brownish red or pinkish red or brownish orange gemstone. All of this is true. But there is more, much much more. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the garnet family includes some of the most gorgeous gemstones in the entire world, and that includes almost every color imaginable.

  • Blue Topaz and Turquoise: December Birthstones

    2011-12-01

    Blue Topaz and Turquoise: Two "Blues" for a Joyous Month of Gift-Giving! Two "blues" define the official birthstones for December, despite the fact that this is one of the most joyous months of the year.

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