Gold'n Guide
The word diamond evokes many images: rarity,
preciousness, desire, beauty, and love. They come from the
earth's core, created more than three billion years ago and
carried by volcanoes to the surface.
The Romans considered the gem a splinter from a
falling star and the Greeks considered them tears of the gods.
The word itself comes from the the Greek word adamas,
which means unconquerable.
During the fifteenth century, Austrian Archduke
Maximilian gave the first diamond engagement ring to his
wife-to-be, beginning the tradition of giving a diamond as the
token of love. He placed the gem on the fourth finger of her
left hand, because it was believed that finger contained
"the vein of love" that went directly to the heart.
Why Are Diamonds Special?
Beauty: Each diamond is unique because
its complexity can't be duplicated. Each stone, therefore, has
its own personality and character.
Durability: A diamond will not
deteriorate because it is the hardest substance known to
man.
Purity: The supply of diamonds is not
unlimited. Consider that in order to get just one carat of
diamond, one would have to blast, crush and process more than
250 tons of ore. Only 20 percent of all rough diamonds are
suitable for cutting.
Value: Diamond prices fluctuate yet these
gemstones retain value after years of being worn and enjoyed.
Buying a Diamond
There are four factors that determine the value
of a diamond: the four Cs. The combination of the four Cs
determines each diamond's value.
Carat: A carat is equal to 200
milligrams. There are 142 carats to an ounce. Carats are divided
into points, with 100 points in a carat. A half-carat diamond,
therefore, is referred to as a 50-point stone. Since large
diamonds are rare, they usually have a greater value per carat.
Color: Diamonds come in every color but
the most popular gems are colorless. Truly colorless diamonds
are extremely rare and therefore the most expensive. Diamonds
are graded by color and designated based upon how far they
deviate from the purest white. Colorless stones are graded D and
the grading continues through the alphabet; each letter corresponding
to a more yellow tint. The true color of a diamond can best be
seen by viewing it against a white surface. Though the majority
of diamonds come in shades of white, they also come in a variety
colors, from red and yellow to blue, green and brown. These
diamonds are known as fancies and are valued for the depth of
their color.
Clarity: A diamond's clarity is affected
by any external irregularities and internal imperfections. Spots
or lines are called inclusions. The fewer the inclusions, the
more valuable the stone. Inclusions can interfere with the
passing of light through the stone, which diminishes the sparkle
and value of the diamond. The Gemological Institute of America's
quality analysis system grades clarity on a scale ranging from
flawless (FL or IF) to imperfect (I). A diamond must have no
inclusions visible to a trained eye under a 10x magnification in
good light to be graded flawless.
Cut: Diamonds are cut according to an
exact mathematical formula. The most common cut is the round
brilliant and it has 58 facets. Facets are small, flat, polished
planes that are designed to reflect the maximum amount of light
back to the beholder. The reflection is known as brilliance and
it is an extremely important factor in determining the quality
of a diamond. Poorly cut diamonds will actually lose light and
appear dull. The widest circumference of a diamond is called the
girdle. Above the girdle of a brilliant cut diamond are 32
facets as well as the table, which is the largest and topmost
facet. Below the girdle are 24 facets as well as the culet, or
point. Cut is also used to describe the shape of a diamond.
Other popular cuts are emerald, marquis, pear, oval and square.
Diamond Terms
The following are some of the most shapes and
setting:
Baguette: A rectangular-shaped small
diamond often used to enhance the setting of a larger stone.
Bezel setting: A diamond completely
surrounded by a precious metal border. This setting technique
resembles a picture frame.
Channel setting: Rows of small, uniformly
sized stones. This technique uses two strips of metal to hold
the stones at the sides. Using round, baguette and square-cut
stones, the channel setting looks like a railroad track with the
diamonds in the center.
Fancy cut: Any other shape than round.
Includes such shapes as baguette, emerald, triangle, pear,
princess, oval and marquis.
Pavé setting: Used for small diamonds
where the stones are set so closely together that no metal
shows. It appears to be paved with diamonds.
Solitaire: A single mounted gemstone.
Tiffany setting: Uses four or six long,
slender prongs to hold the stone.
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