Request an appointment

REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

At W. Kodak Jewelers, we highly recommend making an appointment in advance because your time is valuable. During your appointment, a trained certified specialist will answer your questions, work with you to figure out what matches your style and preferences while also providing guidance in keeping your purchase within your budget.

Making an appointment does not require any commitments and is free of any pressure to buy. We know how important it is to do your research before making a big purchase, so whether your looking to buy now or somewhere down the road, let our experts help.

REQUEST APPOINTMENT NOW

The W. Kodak History

THE W. KODAK HISTORY

Family owned and operated for over 50 years. W. Kodak Jewelers was founded by Woody Kodak, in the 1970s. He got his start in jewelry along the boardwalks of Atlantic City, sparking his love and appreciation for both quality jewelry and outstanding customer service.

After graduating from ASU, the second generation of Kodaks, Brad and Creighton realized that something was missing in their beloved City of Hoboken: a luxury jeweler. They felt their community deserved access to the best service and highest quality of brands. It was then that they decided to open their luxury jewelry boutique downtown at 60 Newark Street prior to expanding to their flagship store in Uptown at 1123 Hudson Street.

0% Financing

0% FINANCING

W. Kodak Jewelers offers a variety of financing options to assist you in your needs. We are here to help you calculate a budget that works for you, with convenient monthly payment plans, short terms options and no interest plans. When you finally decide on that perfect engagement ring, inquire about our 12-month interest-free financing options.

Jewelry & Watch Repair

JEWELRY & WATCH REPAIR

At W. Kodak Jewelers, our qualified team of experts and skilled professionals are able to help you maintain your favorite jewelry and timepieces. Maintaining your precious jewelry is essential, and we can help you take the best possible care of your watches and jewels. Whether you are replacing a watch battery, shining up your diamond ring, or restoring a family heirloom we have the expertise and experience to repair and maintain your most treasured jewelry.

Sell to Us

SELL TO US

Thinking about selling jewelry? Have a watch that you’re looking to get rid of or maybe you just want to trade up to something better, W. Kodak Jewelers can help! We offer a competitive price for gold, platinum, diamonds, jewelry, fine Swiss timepieces, and loose stones. If you have unwanted jewelry that you don’t wear or want, or jewelry that is broken or missing pieces, let our highly trained and qualified staff appraise your piece today.

Sell to Us

TUDOR Free Holiday Gift Card
text TEXT US

Have a question or request? Text us at 201-306-0636

Free Holiday Gift Card

Diamond Education: The 4-C’s

Diamond Education: The 4-C’s

When it comes to diamond education, it wasn’t until the middle of the twentieth century that a standard guideline for judging diamonds was created. Thanks to GIA, understanding the 4Cs of Diamond Quality (color, clarity, cut, carat weight) has never been easier. Today, diamond quality is communicated in a universal language and now buyers can know exactly what they are about to purchase.

So before you begin looking for that unique engagement ring, it is important that you know how to choose the perfect diamond. To set you on the right path, let us first begin by breaking down the four C’s of diamonds and explain the importance of each category.

Cut

The diamond cut is the most important element to consider when buying a diamond. The cut is the biggest factor in creating sparkle and fire, and without a high cut grade even a diamond of high quality can appear dull and lifeless. When diamond cuts are made with the proper proportions, light is returned out of the top of the diamond (which gemologists refer to as the table). If the cuts are too shallow, light leaks out of the bottom; too deep and it escapes out of the side. A diamond cut poorly and too deep can face-up smaller than it actually is.

So to maximize your budget, choose the highest diamond cut grade your budget allows. We suggest a cut grade of Excellent.

Color

After diamond cut, diamond color is the second most important characteristic to consider when choosing a diamond. The highest quality diamonds are colorless, while those of lower quality have noticeable color, which manifests as pale yellow in diamonds.

From white to yellow, diamonds receive a grade for the amount of color they contain. Diamond buyers prefer colorless to near colorless diamonds. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown).

There are six categories on the GIA diamond chart, with color grades that range from absolutely colorless to light in color. Diamonds rated D are the most devoid of color and very rare, whereas G color diamonds and H color diamonds are near colorless, and since they’re priced lower they are excellent value diamonds. The more you move down the color chart, the lower the color grade is, and the more noticeable the light yellow hue becomes.

Clarity

Clarity describes the clearness or purity of a diamond and is the assessment of small imperfections on the surface and internally. A grade is assigned to each diamond, with "F" representing a flawless diamond to "I" describing a diamond that has inclusions. Diamonds with the least and smallest inclusions receive the highest clarity grades.

Diamond clarity is the least important factor when choosing to buy a diamond because most diamonds have blemishes and small inclusions that are microscopic, unable to be seen with an untrained or unaided eye. Diamond buyers will sometimes choose a gem with some inclusions, as long as they are not visible to the naked eye. These tiny, natural blemishes and inclusions are usually microscopic and do not affect a diamond’s beauty in any way.

Carat

Carat refers to the weight of the diamond. Diamond carat is often misunderstood and refers to a diamond's weight, not necessarily its size. A carat is measured in increments called points. One carat is equal to 100 points. Carat weight is the easiest of the 4C's to determine because it is measured on a diamond scale. Two diamonds of equal weight can have very unequal value depending upon the cut, color and clarity of each. The larger the carat, the pricier the diamond, although the other "C's" can influence the final price significantly.


When comparing diamond carat sizes, take a diamond's cut into consideration as well: a high-carat diamond with a poor cut grade may look smaller, often cut deeper, than a diamond with smaller carat weight and a better cut. Very small differences in carat weight can sometimes result in a disproportionate cost. To the naked eye, the difference between a 1.10 carat and 1.20 carat diamond might be impossible to discern, but the cost difference between those carat weights can be significant for otherwise comparable diamonds.

Tips to remember when buying a diamond:

Before choosing your perfect engagement ring, make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of diamonds- from their structure to the 4C's. To start, keep these simple tips in mind.

  • Don’t Obsess Over Size or Perfection: Carat is the most misunderstood of the 4Cs. It actually refers to a diamond's weight, not the diamond’s size. When selecting a diamond, don’t focus on one category alone. For example, consider cut and carat together; a larger carat diamond with a poor cut grade can appear smaller than a smaller diamond with a higher cut grade.
  • Maximize Your Budget: "Buy Shy," which means selecting a carat weight slightly below the whole and half carat marks. For example, instead of a 2.0-carat diamond, consider buying a 1.9-carat weight. This will save a considerable amount of money and the slight size difference will never be noticed.
  • Talk to an Expert: When it comes to selecting the perfect diamond, let the experts at W. Kodak Jewelers help. Schedule an appointment to discuss your budget and diamond preferences so that you maximize your time and budget.

SCHEDULE A DIAMOND CONSULTATION TODAY! CONTACT US

Comments

Track Order

Returning Customers

Sign in to your account to track orders and view your order history.

Quick Track

Don't have an account? Enter your order number and email address below to track your order.