7 Interesting Diamond Factoids
Antwerp’s diamond district is a treasure trove of diamond factoids, diamond history and, of course, diamonds. It is the city which handles nearly 80 percent of the world’s rough diamonds and over 50 percent of the world’s precious stone-quality diamonds. The diamond district in Antwerp is a small area (only a square kilometer) and also [...]
Diamond Fluorescence
Irregularities in the diamond’s atomic structure cause fluorescence. Although the chemical structure for a diamonds contains only carbon, traces of other elements such as nitrogen, boron, or aluminum can be found. Nitrogen and aluminum create blue fluorescence, a single nitrogen atom will create yellow fluorescence, and two nitrogen atoms with crystal irregularities from radiation will create green-yellow fluorescence.
Diamond Recutting
Why are diamonds re-cut? Diamonds can be re-cut for many reasons. The most common reason, even though diamonds are the hardest material on earth, is to remove chips and breaks.
How to Choose a Diamond Color
Diamond color is largely a personal preference. Some people prefer a colorless diamond while others prefer the warmth of a diamond having a trace of color. If you do not have a specific color choice in mind, you should always choose the highest color grade within your budget.
Understanding the Many Shapes of Diamonds
With so many diamond shapes available on the market today, how do you know which one is right for you? Each diamond shape offers something a little different. The round brilliant cut and the princess cut offer the most sparkle and fire while the emerald cut offers a classic elegant look.
Understanding Diamond Proportions: Fancy Cut Diamonds
Fancy cut – any shape other than a round brilliant; Asscher, Emerald, Heart, Oval, Pear, Marquise, Princess, Radiant.
When grading fancy cut diamonds often times the overall look of the stone is more important than all the proportion details you would look for in a round brilliant. Color and symmetry are still very important, but your eye and personal taste will ultimately determine if the diamond is beautiful. For fancy cuts, there is no worldwide consensus about beauty.
Learning More on Diamond Carat Weight
Carat is the standard term used for the weight of a diamond and received its name from the seed of a carob tree. The carob tree, which is native to the Mediterranean region, is an evergreen tree with an edible pod containing seeds. The carob seeds were used by early diamond traders as counter weights on balancing scales as units of weight for small amounts of diamonds because of their consistent size.
Understanding Diamond Proportions: Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds
A diamond’s proportions and their relationship to each other primarily influence the GIA cut grade assigned. Grading the cut of a polished diamond begins with accessing brightness, fire, and scintillation. Every proportion of a round brilliant contributes to its interaction with light. If one proportion is “off” even slightly, a diamond could receive a lower cut grade. To understand cut grade it is important to know how proportions are evaluated and their relationships to one another.
Diamond Shopping: What You Need to Know About Diamond Clarity
Learn what you need to know about diamond clarity to make a good diamond buying decision.
Buyers Guide: How To Purchase Diamonds
Buying a diamond should be a great experience and one that is not confusing or overwhelming. Like any other large purchase you make, education and knowledge is key. Before purchasing your diamond make sure you have at least a basic understanding of the 4Cs, diamond shapes, diamond terminology, and what to look for on a diamond grading report.
