Diamonds

Diamonds; ‘A girl’s best friend’ are considered the most desired and coveted of gems. Widely used in today’s jewellery market, a diamonds value is based upon its clarity and is used in almost all the different types of jewellery available in the current market. One of the most popular is the diamond ring, which has proved to be popular during wedding ceremonies as a gift from the groom to the bride. Other popular items are diamond earrings and bracelets worn by both men and women.

The word ‘diamond’ comes from the ancient Greek word ‘adamas’, which means ‘unconquerable’. The ‘4 C’s’ that determine and define a diamonds value are known as:

• Cut
• Clarity
• Colour
• Carat

Cut
Refers to the way in which a diamond is cut and polished. The proportion of the diamond that dictates the maximum amount of light the diamond will refract and reflect, and the diamond's facets.

A diamond is cut using a specific formula that determines its brilliance. It also refers to the A ‘round brilliant’ cut has 58 flat, polished facets that reflect the maximum amount of light. The formula also takes into account the depth of the cut. If a diamond is cut too deep it will decrease its overall value. A good diamond cut will reflect the light and refract it back out to the human eye.

Clarity
The word ’Clarity’ refers to a diamond's freedom from internal inclusions such as internal cracks or tiny crystals. A diamond may be termed ‘flawless’ if a trained eye can detect no inclusions under 10-power magnification.

It is internal imperfections and external irregularities that affect the clarity of a diamond. This is because it interferes with the passage of light throughout the stone itself. This can be in the form of spots, lines etc. and are known as inclusions. The fewer inclusions the diamond has, the more valuable it becomes. A diamond’s clarity is graded on a scale that is ranges from flawless, known as ‘FL’ and/or ‘IF’ through to imperfect, known as ‘I’.

Colour
Diamonds can come in many different colours and shades but the most valuable diamond colour is colourless. This type of diamonds can be quite expensive as they are so rare. Diamonds range from colourless (grade ‘D’) through to ‘Z’. The closer to the diamond is graded to ‘Z’, the more yellow it appears.

A red diamond is the very rarest colour for a diamond. A ‘colourless’ diamond is the best quality.

Carat
This is the term used to measure a diamonds weight. One single carat is equal to 200 milligrams. There are 142 carats in an ounce. A carat is also divided into 100 points. It is larger that have a greater value per carat. This is because they are quite rare.

Below are a few charts, which help give a better understanding of the different options to consider when evaluating a diamond:



Diamond History
Diamonds have been sought the world over and have caused many inland fighting due to their potential value. Diamonds have symbolised wealth and power and it is known that in past times Kings would enter into battle with diamonds embedded into their armour. This had more of a mystical meaning to it, but nevertheless, diamonds have player a big part in the world’s society for many years. Up until the 15th century it was only kings that wore diamonds, which symbolised strength and courage.

It is believed that the first alluvial diamonds were founded in India around 800 BC. Although the volcanic source of these diamonds was never discovered, the alluvial deposits were rich enough to supply the majority of the world's diamonds up until the eighteenth century. Diamonds were then discovered in Brazil, which then became another source for diamonds. It was then in the year l866 that South Africa became another source of diamonds.

Diamonds were mined from the sand and the gravel situated by rivers. However, in 1870, diamonds were found in the earth land, which then led the way for dry digging to begin.

Cutting diamonds into different shapes and sizes is a fairly new method as for many years rough diamonds were not worn at all. It wasn’t until the 1330’s that English and French royalty wore diamonds in a fashionable, artistic way. It was then in the sixteenth century that diamonds were displayed in studded rings. The country of Antwerp is believed to be the first place, which undertook diamond cutting.

The Netherlands was the country where many diamond cutters and craftsmen relocated to in the late 16th century. It was then around 1600 that England shown interest in India, which was still the world's central diamond source, London then became an important cutting centre, which led to them being the primary world marketer of diamond rough. Currently, there are many diamond cutting centres worldwide.