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The Mystique, Mystery and Magic of Diamonds
Diamonds hold a special place for everyone, and have a
mystique and mystery which is all their own. You have to appreciate
the tradition of diamonds and what they signify in people's
hearts and minds, if you are to fully understand what it is
about diamonds that makes people want to buy them, to own them
and to wear them.
For the last 3,000 years, diamonds have held a special place
in our hearts. They have been thought to possess magical powers,
have been sought after, fought over and even worshiped. Some
believed that diamonds were splinters of stars fallen to the
earth, others that they were the tears of the gods.
Every diamond is unique, with a mystique and beauty all its
own. Just take a look at one. The word diamond comes from the
Greek word "adamas," meaning unconquerable. Their indestructibility
and sparkling life have made diamonds the true symbol of enduring
love. Diamonds ARE forever.
The gems became a traditional symbol of love in Ancient Greece
and have been a mark of status for kings through the ages. Kings
wore diamonds as a symbol of strength, courage and invincibility,
but, since the very beginning, diamonds have also been associated
with romance and legend.
In 1477, the Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave a diamond ring
to Mary of Burgundy, and so began the tradition of the Diamond
Engagement Ring.
What do YOU see in diamonds? What mystique and mystery do you
suppose they hold for you?
How Diamonds Were Created
The conditions that created diamonds have not existed on this
planet for millions of years.
Very early in the earth's history, as solid matter became condensed
into a sphere, the material at the heart of the planet became
subjected to unbelievable extremes of temperature and pressure.
It was the conditions in those deep layers that caused deposits
of pure carbon to begin to crystallize into diamond. A diamond
consists of pure carbon, and although there is no chemical difference
between carbon powder and the diamond, the physical difference
between carbon powder and the diamond crystal is both enormous
and miraculous.
As the outer layers of the earth cooled, stresses developed,
and the plates of solid rock shifted and split. Streams of liquid
rock were forced to the surface in volcanic eruptions, and some
of that material carried with it the diamond crystals that had
begun to form deep within the earth.
As the earth's surface cooled, the diamond-bearing rock turned
solid, and it is within this rock that diamonds are now found.
Diamond is the hardest natural material found on earth, and
the simplest of all the gemstones in composition.
How Diamonds Are Cut
Having found a rough stone, the way it is then "cut" is vital
to the value of the diamond. Each stone has to be individually
cut and polished to transform it into the gem with which we're
familiar.
To maximize the yield from a rough crystal, it may well be divided
first by a process called cleaving. Diamond has a natural grain,
so when a blade is placed against the diamond and struck with
the right amount of force, at the right angle, and in the right
spot, it will naturally split in two. Some stones, however,
may need to be sawed, and others are cut by lasers.
But cutting isn't simply a matter of cleaving. Each gemstone
then needs polishing using other diamonds and powdered-diamond
abrasives.
Polishing produces a number of facets on each diamond to create
the gem diamond. A good cut produces facets whose placement
and angles are mathematically accurate to maximize the diamond's
brilliance. The cut unlocks the hidden beauty of the diamond.
How A Diamond Handles Light
The way a diamond sparkles in the light is called its brilliance
and fire. These are not subjective terms, but can be scientifically
defined. Suppose the same amount of light should fall on a pile
of black carbon powder as on a cut diamond. Both are formed
from the same chemical, but clearly they will handle that light
in different ways.
Most of the light which falls on the powder is absorbed, which
is why it appears black. But when light strikes a diamond, part
of the ray is reflected from the surface. This is called external
reflection. The other part of the ray enters the diamond and,
as it does so, it bends due to the greater optical density of
a diamond. This is called refraction. The light is then reflected
from the internal surfaces of the diamond - which is internal
reflection.
The ray then emerges from the top of the diamond where, once
again, it is bent or refracted and is separated into the colors
of the spectrum. It is this dispersion that gives the diamond
its fire. For centuries, men and women have found that the sparkle
and brilliance of a quality diamond expresses their deepest
emotions and symbolizes their enduring love.
How Diamonds Are Valued
While all diamonds are precious, those possessing the best combination
of cut, clarity, carat weight and color - are the earth's rarest,
most valuable and most beautiful to the eye. The combination
of the 4Cs determines the quality and value of a diamond and
explains why some are rarer - and so more valuable - than others.The
finest stones possess the rarest quality in each of the 4Cs
and are the most valuable. Strive for a stone that offers the
best combination of the 4Cs. The 4Cs relate to a diamond's:
Cut • Color • Clarity • Carat Weight
The better any diamond scores on each of these four characteristics,
the more valuable it will be. Ultimately, you will discover
the unique combination of the 4Cs that makes a particular diamond
the right choice for you. Let's look at each "C" in turn.
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Cut
The better cut a diamond, the more brilliant. A well cut or
faceted diamond, regardless of its shape, scintillates with
fire and light - offering the greatest brilliance and value.
While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight and
color, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release
its fire, sparkle and beauty. When a diamond is cut to good
proportions, light will reflect from one mirror-like facet to
another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting
in a display of brilliance and fire.
Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose light that
spills through the side or bottom. As a result, poorly cut stones
will be less brilliant and beautiful - and certainly less valuable
- than well cut diamonds. The better the quality of the cut,
the better the stone will create brilliance and fire - and that
helps determine the value of each stone.
Traditionally, a diamond is cut into the following variations:
1. Round Brilliant 2. Oval 3. Marquise 4. Heart 5. Emerald 6.
Pear 7. Princess 8. Asscher
1.The round brilliant is the most popular of all the polished
diamond shapes. 2. The oval is an adaptation of the round brilliant
and appears larger than a round stone of the same carat weight.
3. The marquise is the name given to the diamond shape that
is long and pointed at both ends. 4. The heart shape is perhaps
the most romantic of what are known as the fancy shapes. 5.
The emerald cut diamond is rectangular, with facets on each
of the sides and across the corners. 6. The pear shape is the
English name for the French "pendeloque" which is related to
our word pendant. 7. The princess cut is a four-sided brilliant
style square or rectangular shape diamond with corners that
meet at 90-degree angles. 8. The asscher cut is a square step-cut
diamond with a deep pavilion, high crown, small table and cut
corners similar to a square emerald cut (photo not shown).
Color
The less color in a diamond, the more rare. Diamonds are graded
by color, starting at D and moving through the alphabet to Z.
While most diamonds appear white, virtually all display barely
perceptible tints of color. Evaluating a diamond's color is
difficult for the untrained eye. We can help demonstrate this
by showing you diamonds side by side.
Diamonds graded D, E, and F are more expensive because they
are more rare. However, well-cut diamonds with a good clarity
of all color grades can be equally dazzling, as it is the interplay
of the 4Cs that determines each diamond's unique beauty.
Clarity
The greater a diamond's clarity, the more brilliant, valuable
and rare it is.Virtually all natural diamonds contain identifying
characteristics, yet many are invisible to the naked eye. Under
the microscope, natural phenomena - called inclusions - may
be seen. These are nature's birthmarks, and they may look like
tiny crystals, clouds or feathers.
Diamonds categorized as internally flawless reveal no such inclusions.
Diamonds with very, very small inclusions are graded as VVS1
or VVS2. The larger the inclusion, the lower the grade and the
less rare the diamond.
The number, color, type, size and position of surface and internal
birthmarks affect a diamond's value. Major inclusions can interfere
with the path of light that travels through a diamond, diminishing
its brilliance and sparkle and therefore its value.
Carat Weight
The larger a diamond, the more rare. Larger diamonds are found
relatively infrequently in nature, which makes them rare. However,
a large diamond is not necessarily a better or more valuable
diamond. In fact, a smaller diamond may actually be more valuable
than one with a greater carat weight if its cut, color and clarity
are superior to that of the larger diamond. A diamond's weight
is the simplest of its characteristics to measure.
The carat is a unit of weight which derives from the carob seed.
The pods of the carob, or locus tree, contain tiny seeds which
are remarkably consistent in weight. These seeds were used by
early gem traders to weigh their diamonds.
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A 1-carat diamond used to equal the weight
of a carob seed, but in today's terms the carat is standard
metric weight of 0.2 grams, and each carat is divided into100
points.
For example, a quarter of a carat is 25 points, written as 0.25;
a half a carat is 50 points, written as 0.50, and so on.
It is easy to weigh an unmounted diamond, but once it is in
a setting, it is only possible to estimate its weight by using
special gauges and formulae.
While larger diamonds are highly prized, diamonds of equal size
may vary widely in value and brilliance, depending on their
qualities of clarity, cut and color.
The 5th "C" Confidence
While all diamonds are beautiful, only by comparing stones will
you be able to appreciate what makes one more rare and valuable
than another. When you view stones side by side, you'll understand
why diamonds that look similar at a casual glance are priced
differently. Keep in mind that there are no "bargain" diamonds.
There are only diamonds of different value, weight and brilliance.
When you understand why some diamonds are more rare than others,
you can make an informed decision. Choose a beautiful stone
that combines the qualities of the 4Cs you most value. We believe
an informed and educated buyer is a more satisfied customer.
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For centuries, men and women have found that the sparkle and
brilliance of a quality diamond expresses their deepest emotions
and symbolizes their enduring love. Yet with many beautiful
diamonds to choose from - and no two alike - how do you pick
the right diamond while spending wisely?
Over many years we have earned the reputation as diamond experts.
We can show you a selection of diamonds in a range of prices.
While all diamonds are beautiful, only by comparing stones will
you be able to appreciate what makes one more rare and valuable
than another. When you view stones side by side, you'll understand
why diamonds that look similar at a casual glance are priced
differently. Keep in mind that there are no "bargain" diamonds;
there are only diamonds of different value, weight and brilliance.
We have many diamonds in a range of prices, and we can help
you find one that suits your taste and what you plan to spend.
Choosing a quality diamond to celebrate your special occasion
is a truly rewarding experience for the one who gives as well
as the one who receives. Born of the earth, your diamond is
more than a precious gem and all that it symbolizes . it's a
piece of forever.
