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Even
before these magnificent creations of nature were mined
in profusion toward the end of the 19th century, they
were a source of fascination and value to early man. The
Romans thought diamonds were splinters from falling stars
while the Greeks regarded the sparkling gems as tears
of the gods. It is a derivation of the Greek word "adamas,"
meaning unconquerable, that gave the diamond its name.
Rare
and fascinating, mysterious and magical, the diamond has
ignited fires of war and romantic passion throughout history.
The
diamond claimed its place as the primary token of love toward
the end of the 15th century when Austrian Archduke Maximilian
gave the first diamond engagement ring to his betrothed.
It was placed on the fourth finger of her left hand because
that finger was believed to course with the vein of love
that passed directly to the heart. Five centuries later,
the diamond remains one of the most luxurious and desirable
gifts for any romantic and celebratory occasion, a gem whose
purity and brilliance symbolizes lasting love. Formation
of a Diamond
The Romans believed diamonds were splinters from falling
stars. These brilliant gems were also thought to be tears
from the gods. Though very interesting, these ideas of where
a diamond comes from are far from correct.
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The Birth of a Diamond
Deep within the earth’s crust, a diamond is formed under
terrific heat and pressure from soft, black, worthless carbon.
This carbon becomes the hardest of all know substances...the diamond.
Created more than three billion years ago and thrown to the earth’s
surface through volcanic eruptions, diamonds are truly amazing.
Most of the radiant diamonds worn today are more than 100 million
years old.
In order to uncover a single diamond, roughly twenty tons of soil
must be removed. Only one out of four of these diamonds extracted
from the earth are gem quality. The rest are used for industrial
use. It is because of this difficulty in locating and mining diamonds,
which makes them so rare.
A new method of removing diamonds from the earth occurred in 1962,
when 50,000 carats of diamonds were extracted from the ocean floor.
This was done using a giant vacuum cleaner, which sucked up tons
of silt, sand, and gravel from the bottom of the ocean along with
diamonds. This method uncovered one diamond for every ton of material,
about twenty times more effective than the conventional method
of trenching on shore.
When a rough diamond is discovered, its outer surface is surrounded
with growth markings and surface features acting as a translucent
film which hides the great beauty and fire inside. With the help
of man’s skill and knowledge of diamond cutting, this true
beauty is revealed.
What
Makes a Diamond Special?
Beauty
- The colorless beauty and inner fire of the diamond has made
this precious gem prized for centuries. Each stone's complex characteristics
cannot be duplicated and no two diamonds can ever be the same.
Each stone, like its owner, is endowed with a personality and
character uniquely its own.
Durability
- A diamond is the hardest substance known to man, making it resistant
to deterioration. When cared for properly, diamond jewelry can
be worn every day and passed on as a heirloom to the next generation.
Purity
- Although new resources for diamonds are being explored and discovered,
the supply of these gems remains limited. This is understandable
once you learn that more than 250 tons of ore need to be blasted,
crushed and processed to yield just one carat of rough diamond.
Further, only 20 percent of all rough diamonds are suitable for
gem cutting.
Enduring
Value
- Like many precious products, diamond prices fluctuate. But it
is important to know that these sparkling gemstones still retain
value after years of being worn and enjoyed.
How
To Buy a Diamond (The Four C's)
There
are four factors that determine the value of a diamond, collectively
known as the 4Cs. The combination of the 4Cs determines each diamond's
value. Master these important facts and you are prepared to make
your purchase.
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Carat
This
word for the measurement of a diamond's weight is derived
from the carob seeds that were used to balance scales in
ancient times. A carat is equal to 200 milligrams and there
are 142 carats to an ounce. Carats are further divided into
points. There are 100 points in a carat. A half-carat diamond
may be referred to as a 50-point stone (about 100 milligrams).
Because large diamonds are rare, they generally have a greater
value per carat.
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Color
Diamonds
come in every color of the spectrum, but the most popular
gems are white. Truly colorless, icy-white diamonds are
extremely rare and therefore the most costly. Stones are
graded by color and given designations dependent on how
far they deviate from the purest white. Colorless stones
are graded D. Color grading continues down through the alphabet,
with each letter designating a yellower tint. The best way
to see the true color of a diamond is by looking at it against
a white surface. Although the great majority of diamonds
come in shades of white, the gems also come in a spectrum
of majestic colors, from red and canary yellow to blue,
green and brown. These colorful diamonds, known as fancies,
are valued for their depth of color, just as white diamonds
are valued for their lack of color.
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Clarity
A
diamond's clarity is affected by any external irregularities
and internal imperfections created by nature when the diamond
was formed. Imperfections such as spots, bubbles or lines
are called inclusions. Although these marks make each stone
unique, the fewer the inclusions, the more valuable the
stone. Inclusions can interfere with the passage of light
through the stone, diminishing the sparkle and value of
the diamond. According to the quality analysis system of
the Gemological Institute of America, clarity is graded
on a scale ranging from flawless (FL or IF) to imperfect
(I). To be graded flawless, a diamond must have no inclusions
visible to a trained eye under a 10x magnification in good
light.
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Cut
Each
diamond is cut according to an exact mathematical formula.
The most common cut, the round brilliant, has 58 facets,
or small, flat, polished planes designed to yield the maximum
amount of light to be reflected back to the viewer. This
reflection, known as brilliance, is an extremely important
factor in evaluating the quality of a diamond. A poorly-cut
diamond will actually loose light and appear dull. The widest
circumference of a diamond is known as the girdle. Above
the girdle of a brilliant cut diamond are 32 facets plus
the table, the largest and the topmost facet. Below the
girdle are 24 facets plus the cutlet, or point. Cut is also
used to describe the shape of a diamond. In addition to
the round brilliant, other popular cuts include emerald,
marquis, pear, oval and square.
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Terms
You Should Know
Just
like the infinite range of diamond qualities and colors, there
are many different shapes and setting techniques offered by today's
designers. Here is a mini-glossary of the most important ones.
| Baguette
- This refers to a rectangular-shaped small diamond that is
often used to enhance the setting of a larger stone.
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| Bezel
setting
- A diamond is completely surrounded by a precious metal border
in this setting technique that resembles a picture frame.
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| Channel
setting
- Popular for mounting rows of small, uniformly-sized stones,
this setting technique uses two strips of metal to hold the
stones at the sides. Used for round, baguette and square-cut
stones, the channel setting resembles a railroad track with
the diamonds in the center. |
| Fancy
cut
- A diamond cut in any shape other than round. Fancy cuts
include such shapes as baguette, emerald, triangle, pear,
princess, oval and marquis. |
| Pavé
setting -
A setting technique for small diamonds in which the stones
are set so closely together that no metal shows. A pavé
surface appears to be paved with diamonds. |
| Solitaire
- The mounting of a single gemstone. |
| Tiffany
setting
- A four- or six-prong setting using long, slender prongs
to hold the stone. |
Diamond
Shapes and Personality
Many people
believe that the shape of the diamond you choose is related to
your personality characteristics. We have listed six of the most
popular shapes…. What shape are you?
| The
Pear Shape Diamond - The ideal choice for
the woman who is outgoing and enjoys breaking out of the traditional
mold… A woman who seeks security and approval. |
| The
Emerald and Princess Cut Diamond- An excellent
choice for the woman who is sophisticated, adamant, well organized,
disciplined, and efficient. |
| The
Marquise Shape Diamond- The perfect choice for
the woman who is creative, innovative, and not in need of
universal approval… an independent thinker and doer! |
| The
Heart Shape Diamond- What could be more perfect
for the woman who is a dreamer, very sentimental, dramatic,
and devoted? |
| The
Oval Shape Diamond- The ideal selection for the
woman who is well rounded, innovative, efficient, and slightly
complex. |
| The
Round Shape Diamond- A great choice for
the woman who is home and family centered, dependable, easy
to get along with, and security conscious. |
Caring
for Your Diamond
Diamonds may
be the hardest substance known to man, but they too can be damaged
or dulled. Your diamond jewelry will benefit from the following
tips:
Don't
jumble your diamond jewelry together or with other pieces because
diamonds can scratch other jewelry and each other.
Keep
your diamond jewelry in a fabric-lined jewel case or in a box
with compartments or dividers.
Don't
wear your diamonds when doing rough work. Even though a diamond
is durable, it can be chipped by a hard blow.
Clean
your diamonds regularly using either commercial jewelry cleaner,
a mix of ammonia and water, or a mild detergent. Dip the jewelry
into the solution and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt
from under the setting.
Don't
let your diamond come in contact with chlorine bleach or other
chemicals because they can pit or discolor the mounting.
See
your jeweler at least once a year to have your diamond jewelry
professionally cleaned and checked for loose prongs and wear.
Where
To Buy Diamond Jewelry
Because
expertise in the grading, selection and sale of diamonds takes
years of training, always buy a diamond from a retailer you can
trust. Look for a professional jeweler who is established in the
community and has an excellent reputation for integrity and service.
Let him show you a selection of diamonds and explain the subtle
differences in grade and value. Use his knowledge and expertise
to guide you in choosing the perfect diamond for a lifetime of
wearing pleasure.
Ask
if the diamond you are purchasing has been treated or altered
in any way. Diamonds can be colored, tinted, coated, irradiated
or heated to improve their appearance. Inclusions are sometimes
removed with lasers and fractures filled with a plastic-like compound.
Some of these procedures are not permanent. For example, the epoxies
used in fracture-filled diamonds can melt away if the stone is
heated. A professional and trustworthy jeweler will let you know
if a diamond's natural appearance has been altered.
Ask
if the jeweler is a member of the Jewelers of America, the national
association for retail jewelers. Or look for the "J"
mark on the door. JA jewelers are knowledgeable, and they have
a wide selection of fine jewelry. They will not only help you
with this purchase but they will be there in the future to answer
your questions and help you with your purchases, repairs, and
custom design.
Your friends at Williams Diamond Center proud to
be members of the Jewelers of America and look forward to helping
you make jewelry choices that will last your lifetime.
