DIAMONDS
Diamonds are the purest of all gemstones.
Diamonds are carried to the surface by volcanic eruptions. The volcanic magma conduit is known as a kimberlite pipe or diamond pipe.
Conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, are diamonds that are used by rebel groups to fuel conflict and civil wars. Diamonds have also been used by terrorist groups to finance their activities. The campaign to combat conflict diamonds is calling Kimberley process diamond certification scheme. The scheme requires governments to certify that shipments of rough diamonds are free from blood diamonds.
Diamond is the birthstone of April and the anniversary gemstone for 10th and 60th years of marriage.
The name diamond comes from the Greek word “Adamas”, which mean indomitable – suggesting the eternity of love. Diamonds and diamond jewellery have been the traditional symbol of love.
Diamonds are not easy to keep clean. Having a professional cleaning is the best option, but we can also clean them in warm, soapy water with any mild liquid detergent and a soft brush.
Diamond is rated as the hardest of all minerals and is indexed as 10 on Mohs hardness scale.
| 10 | Diamond |
| 9 | Corundum |
| 8 | Topaz |
| 7 | Quartz |
| 6 | Feldspar (Orthoclase) |
| 5 | Apatite |
| 4 | Fluorite |
| 3 | Calcite |
| 2 | Gypsum |
| 1 | Talc |
A structure of a classic round brilliant cut diamond has 57 facets (33 on the top, 24 on the bottom) + the culet (1 point at the bottom). Each of the diamond’s facets must be placed in exact geometric relation to one another, when the stone is being cut. The cut or proportions of a diamond is measured in percentages relative to the diameter of its gridle. The gridle diameter is always considered to be 100%.
Cost of Diamond
The price of a diamond is defined by 4C’s (cut, colour, clarity, carat weight). Cut is an aspect, which is directly influenced by man. The other three are influenced totally by nature. A diamond certificate is a document issued by Gemological Laboratory describing a loose diamond. Diamond certificate guarantee contains a complete quality description of the diamond, focusing on the 4C’s (information on shape, weight, cut, clarity, fluorescence, colour grade, exact measurements, proportions and finish grade).
Cut
This is the factor that determines the brilliance of a diamond (quality, not the shape of the diamond cut). Diamond sparkles by bending the light that enters it and sending a ray of light back out, split into colours. If the diamond cut is too deep or too shallow, most of the light will escape into the side or through the pavilion before the light can be reflected.
| Well cut | Deep cut | Shallow cut |
|---|---|---|
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Diamonds are cut in many varied shapes. The shape of a diamond shouldn’t be confused with its cut. It is simply personal preferences. Diamond can be cut into round, oval, princess, emerald, heart, pear or marquise shape.
Shapes of diamond
Colour
The GIA (the Gemological Institute of America) colour scale shows the colour range and corresponding letter classification for colourless range diamonds. The best colour is no colour. Diamonds in the colour range are graded from D to Z. The absolute finest colourless stone carries a D rating, descending through each letter of the alphabet to Z (tinted yellow). Diamonds of colour grade D are very rare and extremely valuable. For best buy option regarding colour it is recommended to go for diamond with a colour grade of K or better. In nature, diamonds can also occur in shades of red, pink, blue, green and deep yellow. These are called Fancy Diamonds.
| D, E, F | Colourless |
| G, H, I, J | Near colourless |
| K, L, M | Faint yellow |
| N, O, P, Q, R | Very light yellow |
| S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | Tinted yellow |
Clarity
The clarity of diamond refers to how clear the diamond is. Marks on the surface of the diamond are called blemishes, internal marks are called inclusions. These are usually small mineral crystals or small fractures inside the diamond. Completely flawless diamonds are very rare and extremely expensive.
Clarity Grading Scale
FL - Flawless
Shows no inclusions or blemishes of any sort under 10x magnification by a trained jeweller.
IF - Internaly Flawless
Have no inclusions, but may have some minor blemishes, when examined by a trained jeweller.
VVS1 and VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Imperfect (grade 1 and grade 2)
Contains minute inclusions and/or blemishes, that are difficult, even for a trained jeweller, to see under 10x magnification.
VS1 and VS2 - Very Slightly Imperfect (grade 1 and grade 2)
Contains small inclusions such as crystals, clouds or feathers, when observed with effort under 10x magnification. Do not affect the visual attractiveness of the diamond.
SI1 and SI2 - Slightly Imperfect (grade 1 and grade 2)
Contains inclusions/blemishes, that are easy to see under 10x magnification, but are not visible to naked eye. This grade is the last grade, when imperfections are not visible to the naked eye and do not affect the visual qualities of the diamond.
I1 and I2 - Imperfect (grade 1 and grade 2)
Contains inclusions such as large feathers or large crystals, which are obvious under 10x magnification and the naked eye and may effect transparency and brilliance of the stone.
I3 - Imperfect (grade 3)
Contains large inclusions and surface blemishes that can be clearly seen with the naked eye and affect the brilliance and structure of the stone.
Carat
Carat (ct) refers to the weight of the diamond only, not the dimensions of a diamond. One carat is equal to 0,2 gram and is divided into 100 points. So one quarter of a carat can also be described as weighing 25 points. It is always important to remember the other three Cs as well, because a large diamond is not very valuable, if it lacks brilliance, purity and high-grade colour.