A Diamond is merely one of the most common elements of Carbon. Being
the hardest mineral know to man, it was once thought to be fragments
of stars fallen to earth. The very word "diamond" comes
from the Greek word "adamas" meaning unconquerable. While
considered a symbol of power and strength for thousands of years,
diamonds were not associated with romance until the eighteenth century.
In purchasing a diamond or diamond jewellery for a gift to loved
ones, or even to yourself, use pride, accomplishment and/or romance
as reasons to choose.
Always remember the '5 C's" in shopping for a diamond:
- Carat weight
- Colour
- Clarity
- Cut
- Confidence in your Jeweller
|
|
|
|
  |
| |
About the Creation and Care of Diamond Jewellery
|
| |
Diamonds have been used in the ancient art of jewellery making
since 3000 BC Diamonds were first found in India, then Brazil,
Africa, Siberia, the most recent discoveries are in Australia
and Saskatchewan- Canada.
The angle and shapes of facets of a diamond are mathematically
worked out so as to produce the maximum brilliance of refracted
light. The simple rose cut has 6-8 facets, a single brilliant
cut has 16, a full cut has 58, and up to 156 facets on a star
cut. Since the 1800's all diamonds have been faceted, there are
no diamond chips. A correctly cut diamond does not have to be
perfectly clear to sparkle.
|
|
|
|
A diamond's colour is very important to the quality and price.
Off-white diamonds absorb light, inhibiting brilliance. Diamonds
can be a variety of colours, which can be natural or induced,
there are called fancies. An easy test with any diamond set in
a ring or not, is to place it against a flat white surface or
paper. The colourless diamonds are very rare and most desirable,
the usual commercial diamonds have a slight tint of yellow or
brown.
|
|
Perfect clarify in a diamond means no internal stress fractures
(inclusions) or non-crystallized carbon flecks). These impurities
reduce the value of a diamond depending on their size (visible
to the naked eye or not) also their number and placement within
the stone. An inclusion in the centre cannot be hidden under a
claw as easily as one on the side and also there imperfections
are mirrored many times within the diamond itself. Inclusion like
marks can also be caused by careless polishing.
|
|
Weighing diamonds using the seed of the carob tree as a counter
balance is where the term carat came from. One gram in weight
equals 5 carats in diamond weight. A one carat diamond is a large
factor in pricing when the other qualities are taken into account.
The simple fact that a ¼ carat may vary, a very good diamond
will cost the same as a one carat imperfect stone will explain
why some prices are too good to be true.
If diamonds are a girl's best friend, perhaps a knowledgeable
jeweller is a man's best friend.
Enjoy your jewellery and wear it in good health!
|
|
Top of Page |
