DIAMOND EDUCATION

Discovered in India in 500 B.C. The word itself, “diamond”, is derived from the Greek work “Adamas” which means unconquerable or indestructible. The ancient Greeks believed that diamonds were hardened dew drops, splinters from stars overhead or crystallized lightning. Traditionally diamonds are the ultimate symbol of love. After all, they are a “Girls Best Friend.” Other than being a cultural icon of love and opulence, diamonds are the hardest substance know to mankind.  Diamonds  have the majestic ability to reflect light like no other gemstone. They are considered the purest of all gemstones, having only one element in their composition.    Just one more reason diamonds are considered so precious. 

THE ROUND CUT

 

This is the most classic of all the cuts and accounts for 75% of all  diamond sales worldwide.   The round cut features 58 facets: 33 on top, 24 on bottom and 1 point at the bottom.

THE MARQUISE CUT

 

This cut is also a classic and very popular. Great choice for solitaire settings.  Smaller stones compliment this particular cut very well also. This cut gets its name from the unforgettable smile of Marquise de Pompadour. Louis XIV wanted a diamond to match that smile and thus was born the long shape with pointed ends. If you look closely at this cut you will also see a bow-tie in the middle. Lots of character to this beauty! 

 

THE PRINCESS CUT

This cut is one of the more modern cuts. It is also a great choice for solitaire settings. It is square or rectangular is shape which allows for many sparkling facets. If you have long fingers this particular cut if very flattering. Square cut stones have similar refractive properties of round brilliant cut stones. 

 

 

 

 

THE EMERALD CUT

 

 

This is another rectangular cut. The corners are what makes this cut distinct. The corners are cut to make this cut more octagonal than rectangular. In this cut there are flat planes that resemble stair steps, however unusual this may be, it  lends  to showcasing flaws within the diamond.  If this is your pick, make certain to choose a stone of finest quality!

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE OVAL CUT

 

 

Here is another very popular choice. Probably the third most popular choice to be exact. The shape of this cut is especially flattering to women with small hands . The elongated shape of the oval cut also flatters shorter fingers. This cut features perfect symmetry making it similar to the round brilliant cut. Diamonds cut in this shape have loads of sparkle.

 

 

 

 

 

THE HEART CUT

What a combination!  Two symbols of romantic love, a heart and a diamond. The two become one in this particular cut. Master diamond cutters take a pear shape and cleft it at the top to make the heart shape.   Make sure when selecting this shape that the stone has a well defined outline. Depending on the skill of the craftsmen, the stone may not have an even shape, which will lend to enhancing the flaws within the diamond. 

 

 

THE PEAR CUT

 

This is the best of two worlds here, the marquise and the oval. Teardrop in shape, this cut refracts light very well which is reminiscent of the round cut.   This cut is an excellent choice for pendants or earrings.   Women with small hands also find this cut flattering. You can also see a bow-tie in this cut!

 

 

 

 

THE RADIANT CUT

Pure elegance in this cut, which features characteristics of both the round and emerald cuts, lending to optimum light refracting capabilities.   This particular style contains 70 facets. Hence, the name Radiant Cut. 

THE ASSCHER CUT

This cut is also known as the square emerald cut, due to its corners. The cut features a stepped square cut method. This cut has been around since 1902. It was the precursor to the modern day emerald cut. The name is derived from its developers, the Asscher Brothers of Holland. This cut is superior to the emerald cut when it comes to sparkle because of its high crown and small table. 

 

 

THE CUSHION CUT

This cut is an antique cut that is quickly becoming popular. It is similar t to the modern oval cut. It has properties that remind one of the Old Mine Cut, which was a deep cut with large facets. The Old Mine Cut dates back to the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries, which is why it gives this cut an endearing antique feel.

Carat Weight

The size of the stone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is where some people get stuck. Carat weight cannot be the only deciding factor in your choice of stones. Without considering the cut, clarity and color of a stone you might purchase a large stone with no luster.   Sometimes a diamond’s cut maybe compromised in order to make the diamond weigh more.   This is why all four C’s are important to consider when making a choice. 

 

Diamonds are weighed using metric carats. One carat equals .2 grams, which is about the same weight as a small paper clip. Carats are divided into 100 points. If you have a 1.00 carat diamond then you have all 100 points. Likewise, if you have a diamond with 50 points you have a .50 carat stone. Since out of 1,000 polished diamonds you may yield one stone that is larger than one full carat, larger stones can be considered special. This may be why most diamonds used in jewelry today usually weigh about one carat or less. 

 

When you see a diamond listed as a fraction, you may get confused, but don’t worry. Here is how to decipher that:  

 

Diamond Weight is listed as 1/10:   The stone will fall somewhere between .o8 and .12 carats.

Diamond Weight is listed as 1/5:     The stone will fall somewhere between .18 and .22 carats.

Diamond Weight is listed as 1/4:     The stone will fall somewhere between  .23 and .28 carats.

Diamond Weight is listed as 1/3:     The stone will fall somewhere between .29 and .36 carats.

Diamond Weight is listed as 1/2:     The stone will fall somewhere between .47 and .53 carats.

Diamond Weight is listed as 3/4:     The stone will fall somewhere between .72 and .78 carats.

Diamond Weight is listed as 1.0:     The stone will fall somewhere between .96 and 1.04 carats. 

Diamond Weight is listed as 11/4:   The stone will fall somewhere between 1.21 and 1.28 carats.

Diamond Weight is listed as 11/2:   The stone will fall somewhere between 1.44 and 1.56 carats.

 

 

Clarity of a Diamond

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clarity is based on a number of factors.  Above is a diagram of the numbers that you may find in a diamond description.  These numbers can be very helpful in determing the quality of the diamond offered.  Some people do not mind buying a diamond with less quality in order to get  a slightly larger stone in their price range.  Factors that affect the clarity of the diamond are based on the location, size, number and type of inclusions found within the stone.  Inclusions are classified as imperfections or trace minerals found in the stone that are visible under magnification of a jeweler's loupe.  The fewer the inclusions the higher the quality of the diamond.  With fewer inclusions present the diamond will be clearer and more brilliant, however, it will also have a larger price!  Diamonds in the I1-I2-I3 class are not UGLY diamonds!  They just have a few flaws that can be seen under jeweler's magnification.  You may not even know that they are there.  If you want the very best diamond available, you would want the "Flawless"  diamond.  It has NO inclusions and is extremely rare and extremely valuable. 

 

 

Color of a Diamond

This is the last of the 4 C's that we will discuss.  Color of a diamond may seem odd to you, as most diamonds appear colorless to the naked eye, but diamonds do in fact have color in them.  Most stones have slight traces of yellow or light brown in them when viewed under magnification of a jeweler's loupe.  Color of a diamond can affect the price of the stone dramatically.  For instance,  one single increase in color grade can send the value of a diamond up by thousands of dollars. 

Diamond color is graded on an alphabetical scale, which is used all over the world, and was introduced by the GIA.  The GIA is the Gemological Institute of America.  If you see that a diamond is certified, this is the group that certifies the diamond's quality.  Above is a graph of the diamond color scale.  Stones that fall into the grades D, E and F are considered "colorless" or "rare white".  If you are looking for the most luxurious stone you can find, you would want to select a stone in the grade D.  These stones are rare and very valuable. 

While most people prefer a colorless or near colorless diamond, there are those who would prefer what are known as "Fancy Diamonds".  These diamonds have plenty of color.  Diamonds can occur naturally in red, pink, blue, green and deep yellow. 

Treated or Enhanced Diamonds

When you see that a diamond is listed as enhanced that may mean several things. The diamond may have been coated. This is one of the oldest techniques to enhancing a diamond’s color. This process uses ultra-thin layers of chemicals to enhance the diamond’s color. Most coated diamonds are easy for a jeweler to detect under magnification. The clarity of a stone may be enhanced using the techniques of drilling and fracture filling.  Laser drilling removes small, dark inclusions by boring a hole into the interior of a diamond and burning away the inclusion. This leaves behind a tiny drill hole. Fracture filling hides white areas known as “feather”. To make this less visible a glass-like substance is injected into the fracture.  This process can improve a diamond’s clarity by one or two grades. Both of the enhancement treatments are easily seen under the proper magnification and lighting. However, these processes have allowed many people to afford the look of larger, more brilliant diamond jewelry than their budget allows, so it is ultimately up to the buyer to determine if this is an issue for them. 

 

 

How to Clean and Care for Your Diamond

While diamonds excel in durability, they may be chipped by a forceful blow or become loose in their setting.Diamonds maintain their brilliance year after year and are resistant to scratching. While resistant to scratching, another diamond can leave a scratch. Diamonds are an exceptional choice for regular every day wear. They are the perfect choice for wedding rings!

 

Diamonds, like other jewelry, tend to pick up dirt. They especially like greasy substances. Diamonds can be wiped with a lint-free cloth to remover such dirt and grease. Other cleaning methods that are acceptable for diamonds are cleaning with a mild soap in warm water or using a commercial cleaning solution. You may use a soft toothbrush to remove set in dirt. Ultrasonic cleaning and steam cleaning are not recommended. 

 

Conflict Diamonds

Since diamonds are small, easy to hide and valuable, they have become a perfect target for smuggling. In the 1990’s the diamond smuggling trade was brought to light throughout the world. In Angola and Sierra Leone, rebel armies were being funding by such smuggling. These armies were ruthless! The violence that they imposed on the people in that area was brutal, which is where the diamonds got the name “Blood Diamonds” or “Conflict Diamonds”. In 2006, Warner Brothers produced a movie about these events. The movie is entitled “Blood Diamond” and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou. If you wish to learn more about these events you may want to rent the movie.   Even though most diamonds were traveling through the proper channels, immediate action was taken to end the reign of terror associated with these blood or conflict diamonds. That is where the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme got its start. Industry organizations, world governments, human rights groups, as well as the United Nations all had a part in this effort. Started in 2000, and taking effect on January 1, 2003.   The Kimberley Process required that all rough diamonds be accompanied by a diamond certificate of origin issued by an approved agency, all the way to the consumer.   It can still be difficult to track the true origin of a diamond since they can end up hundreds of miles away from that point. GIA does not report on the point of origin on a particular diamond when they are certifying a particular stone because of this fact. The civil war in Angola and Sierra Leone has since been ended and peace has been restored to the region.