What Is Diamond Clarity?

December 22, 2009 by OldRomantic  
Filed under Diamond Jewelry

Diamond clarity is the evaluate of flaws institute in and on the outside of a diamond. The a smaller amount incorrect a diamond is, the more than value it has and the higher the charge tag. There are exceedingly the minority diamonds which be able to be categorized because having no flaws at all, however, greatest diamond flaws cannot be seen lacking magnification of at least 10 times. For the reason that issues counting diamond clarity are habitually undetected what time looking at a diamond, some relations think this to be one of the least of their concerns at what time selecting a diamond to purchase.

How is Diamond Clarity Determined?

The greatest well renowned measurement of diamond clarity is done by the Gemological Create of America (GIA). It ranks diamonds based on a grading system it twisted that ranges beginning flawless diamonds, to imperfect diamonds, plus multiple miscellaneous position ranges in between. The superior the clarity ranking, the in excess of valuable a diamond will promote for for the reason that it has in excess of value.

Types of Inclusions that Outcome Diamond Clarity

Inclusions are flaws that result diamond clarity. They create it as a result that the diamond is not “perfect”, and there are visual imperfections within the gemstone. Most flaws however, are un-noticeable to the discovered eye and know how to merely be seen under high levels of magnification.

There are names for several of the greatest common inclusions. Carbons end product diamond clarity since they are tremendously small black dots create on the wall of a diamond, which may or may not be visible in proportioned lighting. Some may be hence small that you could do with magnification to view them. Pinpoints outcome diamond clarity as they are white dots along the plane of a diamond. Pinpoints are the highest common of all diamond flaws.

Clouds consequence diamond clarity as they aspect no matter what air to be dull areas within the gemstone. The clouds are in truth through up of various growths of crystals that are to be found very surrounding mutually within the diamond, and their proximity to one an additional is what causes the murkiness to appear. Feathers consequence diamond clarity by causing cracks to state within the diamond, that expression similar to that of broken glass.

Clarity Enhancements

Diamond clarity flaws be able to often be engraved or abridged by using a selection of clarity exaggeration treatments. Some diamonds are painted, some attain lasered in circumstance to remove pinpoints and carbons, and some diamonds experience a practice by which tiny holes are drilled keen on the diamond in state to reach areas of inclusions within the gemstone, and then the cracks are later filled including molten glass.

Having enhancements done to advance diamond clarity decreases the generally meaning of the diamond, save for know how to perk up it’s appearance. Diamond certificates ought to indicate that enhancements were done on the diamond, hence ask to see documentation previous making a purchase. Even if utmost enhancements barely dynamic the diamond to look nicer, some may really aspect the diamond to be weaker, and larger than prone to breakage than a diamond that has not had any treatments.

Check out my other guide on asscher cut diamond engagement rings here

Popular Diamonds From History

September 29, 2009 by OldRomantic  
Filed under Diamond Jewelry

Large diamonds are exceptionally rare and only about 80% of all harvested diamonds are gemstone quality. Most of the well-known diamonds that have been deemed famous are not always the highest quality or the most beautiful. The most famous diamonds are also famous because of the story behind the diamond.

The Great Star of Africa is listed as the largest cut diamond ever. It is pear shaped and weighs in at a whopping 530.20 carats. It is part of the royal scepter and is kept along with the other crown jewels in the Tower of London. It was cut from the Cullian, a 3,106 carat diamond crystal that was used to create 96 smaller diamonds. The legend of this diamond suggests that there may have been another half of the Cullian which would have been one impressive sized diamond crystal.

The Orloff diamond is bluish green in color and is an exceptionally pure gem that has an interesting history. The legend goes that the stone started out being a diamond eye of a Hindu idol. It was later stolen by a thief who only took one eye because of his fear of the repercussions. It was passed on to the Russian Count Grigori Orloff. It is currently held in the Diamond Treasury of Russia in Moscow.

The Centenary Diamond was first seen by the world in 1986 and it contains 247 facets and weighs in at 273.85 carats. It is the world’s largest, most modern cut and flawless diamond in existence today. This diamond was crafted over three years. The diamond was unveiled at the Tower of London in 1991. It has never been appraised but is believed to be worth over $100 million dollars.

The Taylor-Burton Diamond was first discovered in the Premier Mine in South Africa in 1966. It was 240.80 carats and was cut into a pear shaped 69.42 diamond. This stone is beyond price because of the famous celebrity who owned it. Richard Burton, the famed actor, bought the diamond for this wife at the time, Elizabeth Taylor. It is said he paid over a million dollars for it. After the death of Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor donated the sale of the stone to charity for $2.8 million dollars and allowed the diamond to go to a museum.

The Regent Diamond is considered one of the most beautiful diamonds ever seen. It was first discovered in 1698 in India. It was finally sold to Philippe II, a French prince, in 1717. The diamond was used in the royal crown and also as an adornment in the hat of Marie Antoinette. It was stolen during the revolution but recovered a short time later. The diamond could be found on Napoleon Bonaparte’s sword until his death. Now you can find it at the Louvre, in the French Royal Treasry.

Diamonds always seem to hold great mystery and mystic. Throughout time, people have desired and cherished this most-precious of all gems. Diamonds and their legends will live on until eternity. Articls by DanforthDiamond.com, your engagement ring experts.

Your Marriage Proposal Will Go Smoother with a Correctly Sized Rings

June 29, 2009 by OldRomantic  
Filed under Diamond Jewelry

The Birth of Your Ring

Purchasing an engagement ring is something that most folkes will only want to do once in a lifetime. However, buying an diamond ring is a bit more complicated than buying a new pair of shoes or even a new car. Potential buyers have to get a firm grasp on not only the measured qualities of a diamond, but also the taste of the intended recipient. The buyer must then figure out how to make those two things meet at a cost which is within the buyer’s budget. Honestly, there are a lot of things to consider when buying an engagement ring.

Fortunately, many people are able to trust the knowledge of their jeweler, helping to mitigate potential unforeseen circumstances when shopping for an engagement ring. But, there is one thing for which neither the jeweler nor guesswork should be used for: the all important ring size.

This is a detail which seems too important to overlook, and yet many people do. One of the most common justifications given for simply estimating a future-fiancés ring size is the need for surprise and the willingness to “just have the ring resized later.” This logic has one rather significant problem with it – not all rings can be resized.

To understand why, it helps to know how rings are actually resized. First, it’s crucial to know if the engagement ring is being made smaller or larger. For a minor enlargement, a jeweler can sometimes just stretch a ring. However, for major adjustments in size, a jeweler must actually cut the ring. To make a wedding ring or any ring smaller, the ring is cut and a piece is removed. To make a ring bigger, the ring is cut and more metal is placed into the ring. The ring is then welded back into one piece, massaged back into a circle, polished to hide the cuts, and finally buffed to a shine.

In a perfect world, the process is easy and quick and the results are not noticeable. However, this process obviously cannot be applied to all rings. Why not? Well, there are two critical flaws which can prevent a ring from being resized.

The first such mistake is related to metal of the ring. In order to insert new material to enlarge a ring, the jeweler must know exactly what metal, or blends of metals, that the engagement ring is made of. For this reason, most antique rings, family heirlooms particularly, cannot and should not be resized. However, this can extend to white gold rings if the composition of the alloy isn’t known. Mismatching metals can result in spotted or stained rings. Even if metal isn’t being added to a ring, not knowing the composition can certainly cause staining or spotting when the professional jeweler tries to melt and buff the ring back to the right shape.

The 2nd reason some rings aren’t meant to be resized all comes down to the simple process of buffing and reshaping. Rings which have detail lines or contain stones around the band would cause design inconsistencies if metal was to be taken away or added. Stones could be damaged, lost, or destroyed, decorative lines and details smudged, blurred, or even smooshed beyond recognition, and the ring essentially ruined.

Of course, there are many other options to resizing. A jeweler might be convinced to swap out a ring, if the ring had purchased new. Ring guards, a metal piece inserted into a ring to make it smaller by taking up space, can be used for rings that are too large. However, these are missing one very important fact – when you’re kneeling and gazing up at the one who just became your partner for life, you want her to wear the ring right away. And you really want it to fit.

The main lesson is that ring size isn’t a task you should take a guess at, and it isn’t something that you should consider fixable at a later date. Finding a ring size discretely might not be easiest task, but seconds after you pop the question, it will certainly be worth it.

 

Saving Money With Loose Diamonds

May 18, 2009 by OldRomantic  
Filed under Diamond Jewelry

When a couple is looking at engagement rings and wedding rings, they might be thrown off guard by the price tags attached and might also be unable to find just the right ring for their momentous occasion.  When this is the case, they might turn to loose diamonds as an option, which allows them to purchase the diamond separately and then have it placed in a setting of their choice.  This often gives them a greater variety of options in the size and cut of the stone for a lesser price than one that is already chosen and set in a ring. 

Tips and Cautions

There are certain things to beware of when buying loose diamondswhich is not an issue when buying from a jewelry store where everything is certified to be real. Loose diamonds are sold by charlatans at times who will substitute synthetic stones as the real thing and charge lesser prices than a real diamond, but still exorbitant amount for a fake stone.  One caution is to make sure that the stones are certified loose diamonds, which means that the diamonds should come with a certificate from a laboratory that gives a grading report on the diamond.  Some credible agencies that can offer such reports are the Gemological Institute of America, the European Gemological Laboratory, and the American Gem Society.  If a certificate is not given by any of these laboratories by the loose diamond distributer, then the diamonds should not be bought from that company because they are likely to be fakes.

Another tip to buying loose diamonds is to do a lot of shopping before deciding on a particular stone.  Although there might be one very interesting stone on a particular certified website, it might not be the best price on the market, and with a little shopping around, an almost identical stone can be found for an even better price.Almost sites will also provide individuals such deals as a thirty day money back guarantee so that they can be certain that they are satisfied with the diamond once they see it in reality rather than in pictures.  There is also usually free overnight shipping so that the guarantee is not wasted in shipping time.

Even though the seller might have their loose diamonds certified, they still might not be an altogether reputable seller so it is wise to do one more piece of checking before purchasing from them.  One place to check is the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any customer complaints against the seller.  Another place to check is if there are any reviews of that seller that have customer comments or ratings.  In addition, it is important to check their refund and return policy as well as upgrade policy so that everything is clear before purchasing the diamond.

Blue Diamonds - True Diamond Beauty

February 21, 2009 by OldRomantic  
Filed under Diamond Jewelry

Blue diamonds are very hard to come across and they have been much sought after for many centuries. Blue diamonds can be found in countries like South Africa, Indonesia, Brazil and India. The Kollur deposits in India are world famous for its discovery of the 112-carat great blue diamond. This diamond was given the name Hope Diamond after it was cut into a 45.52 carat diamond.

Boron which is a natural occuring chemical element causes the blue tint in blue diamonds. The shades of the blue diamond vary because of the tinting of the blue chemical element. That is why blue diamonds are found in shades of ocean blue, sky blue and ice blue. Ice blue diamonds have a minimal tint whereas sky blue diamonds have a darker tint. The darkest of all is the ocean blue diamond which is deep blue in color due to its rich tint.

Ice blue diamonds are very expensive as they begin with a white polished diamond. On the other hand, ocean blue diamonds begin with a brown diamond shape and hence are medium priced.

Below are some tips for choosing a blue diamond: -
1) You must first decide how important the original color of the diamond is. Gems that have are originally blue in color are rare and hence are very expensive. Most diamonds are artificially processed using various temperature and pressure conditions. These processes are allowed as they do not degrade the value of these stones.

2) Determine how much you are willing to spend before you go shopping for blue diamond jewelry. Prices can fluctuate a lot depending on the variation of shade or tint color. Sometimes the price can be very high. Do not be surprised. Compared to colorless diamonds, color diamonds such as blue are much more costly. 

3) Decide whether you want to buy jewelry like a necklace or ring or loose stones.

4) Decide where you want to do your shopping. Authorized dealers generally charge more compared to discount sellers but these dealers have all the proper certificates which some discount sellers do not have. Also, you can be sure that products sold by authorized dealers are genuine and authentic. With discount dealers it is better to get your gems appraised by an independent jeweler before making your purchase.

How to View and Choose a Blue Diamond

1) View the diamond in various lighting conditions. Dealers prefer to present their items in ideal lighting conditions. Ensure that the jewelry matches your skin tone by getting a mirror and placing it against your side.

2) Blue diamonds come in many shapes. Different shapes reflect light differently. For example, a round and square cut diamond reflects more light compared to a rectangular cut diamond.

Finally, a stone’s value is determined by how brilliantly it projects its color tone. The more it can project its color, the higher its value. These gems are very hard to come by and are the finest piece of diamonds. Over time your investmet will definitely grow as the demand for blue diamonds are always increasing. 

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