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 The
word alone conjures up a thousand images: rare, precious,
desirable, beautiful, sparkling tokens of love. Created deep
within the core of the earth more than 3 billion years ago
and brought to the surface by volcanic eruption, most of the
diamonds sparkling on fingers today are more than 100 million
years old! 
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 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.
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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.
-
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 an heirloom
to the next generation.
- 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.
- 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.
There are four factors that determine the
value of a diamond, collectively known as the four C's. The
combination of the four C's determines each diamond's value.
Master these important facts, and you will be prepared to
make your purchase.
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. Ahalf-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.
Diamonds
come in every color of the spectrum, but the most popular
gems are colorless. 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.
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 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.
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
lose 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
topmost facet. Below the girdle are 24 facets plus the culet,
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.
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:
- This refers to a rectangular-shaped
small diamond that is often used to enhance the setting of
a larger stone.
- A diamond is completely surrounded
by a precious metal border in this setting technique that
resembles a picture frame.
- 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.
- A diamond cut in any shape
other than round. Fancy cuts include such shapes as baguette,
emerald, triangle, pear, princess, oval and marquis.
- 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.
- The mounting of a single gemstone.
- A four- or six-prong setting
using long, slender prongs to hold the stone.
Diamonds may be the hardest substance known
to man, but they still 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.
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 glasslike 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.
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