DIAMONDS
At Malka Diamonds in Portland, OR, we know all great rings start in the same place: a carefully chosen diamond. A beautiful diamond lasts a lifetime and symbolizes the love and commitment you and your partner share.
THE MALKA ADVANTAGE
We know diamonds inside and out. When you visit our store (even if you’re just browsing) we want you to leave feeling like a diamond expert. Our GIA certified gemologists are committed to helping you understand your options when buying the diamond engagement ring of your dreams.
What Makes a Good Diamond? The 4C's
Carat
Carats measure the weight of a diamond. All else being equal, the higher the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond.
Color
Diamonds are valued by their lack of Color. With the exception of colored diamonds like yellow, pink, and blue diamonds, the less color the more expensive the diamond.
Since carats are a measure of weight, it doesn’t necessarily reflect the dimensions of a diamond, making it extremely important that you see a diamond in person to experience its unique shape and beauty. Not two diamonds are ever the same!
Clarity
Diamond Clarity refers to the amount of inclusions and blemishes on a diamond. It’s extremely rare to find a diamond without any markings, making those inclusion and blemish free diamonds the most valuable of all.
Cut
Though most people find it hard to quantify, the Cut of a diamond has three attributes:
• Brilliance - The light the diamond reflects
• Scintillations - A diamond’s sparkle
• Fire - How light travels through a diamond
The Malka Diamonds Advantage
UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE & GENUINE SERVICE
There’s a reason we’ve been named one of the coolest jewelry stores in the US.When you walk into our non-traditional engagement ring jewelry store in Downtown Portland, we want you to feel like part of our family. Enjoy our relaxed and friendly approach. Sip on a beverage and chat with our team as you view our top-of-the-line and highly curated collections. We’ll take the time to learn about you and what you’re looking for, giving you all the time you need to browse through and pick the perfect alternative ring.
At Malka Diamonds, you’ll find:
Third-generation diamond experts and native Oregonians
GIA graduate gemologists & 2 master jewelers with over 40 years of experience
Award-winning ring designs, an incredible selection of vintage wedding rings and designer collections
Wedding rings with an insurance appraisal, complimentary sizing, and lifetime maintenance
No Matter Your Style, Malka Diamonds Has a Ring Collection To Fit You and Your Partner's Personality
Stackable Bands
Love the look of stackable rings? Use these styles to visualize what your finished ring could look like. From minimal settings to ornate modern designs, your options are limitless.
Vintage rings
Get inspired by the timeless style, beauty, and elegance of vintage rings! Work with our gemologist to design a ring style imitating the classic look of rings from years past.
Alternative Rings
Want something a bit more non-traditional? We’ll help you create a custom-made alternative ring that stands out and stands the test of time. Our non-traditional rings are unforgettable.
Stackable Bands
Love the look of stackable rings? Use these styles to visualize what your finished ring could look like. From minimal settings to ornate modern designs, your options are limitless.
Vintage rings
Get inspired by the timeless style, beauty, and elegance of vintage rings! Work with our gemologist to design a ring style imitating the classic look of rings from years past.
Alternative Rings
Want something a bit more non-traditional? We’ll help you create a custom-made alternative ring that stands out and stands the test of time. Our non-traditional rings are unforgettable.
Malka Diamonds & Jewelry
Appointments Available
308 NW 11th Ave #200
Portland, Oregon 97209
Tuesday - Saturday: 10AM - 4PM
Call 503-222-5205 to schedule
GIA Gradings System
The Gemological Institute of America (or GIA) is a nonprofit institute focused on gemology education and research. The institute has a number of easy-to-understand grading systems to assist in properly rating and grading diamonds.
Clarity Scale
The GIA International Diamond Grading System aims to make diamond grading more transparent and understandable. The scale ranges from flawless (FL) to diamonds with obvious inclusions (13), and is done by a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
The complete scale:
Flawless (FL)– No visible inclusions or blemishes
Internally Flawless (IF)– Some blemishes with no visible inclusions
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)– Some very difficult to see inclusions are present
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)– Inclusions are clearly visible, but are characterized as minor
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)– Inclusions are noticeable
Included (I1, I2 and I3)– Inclusions are obvious, potentially affecting transparency and brilliance
Color Scale
Much like the The GIA International Diamond Grading System, the GIA Color Scale aims to make understanding a diamond's colorlessness easy so you can make an informed purchase.
Starting with absolute colorlessness, the scale runs from D-Z and includes 5 tiers.
Colorlessness- D-F
Near Colorless- G-J
Faint- K-M
Very Light- N-R
Light- S-Z
“I was thrilled with the way ring came out and was excited to propose to the love of my life.”
Josh & Lindsay
Frequently Asked Questions
Relax and take a deep breath. Buying your wedding ring should be a fun experience that you remember fondly. You don’t have to worry and you shouldn’t feel stressed. We’ll teach you everything you need to know about diamonds and then help you find a ring you’ll cherish.