Diamonds are carbon in its most concentrated form. They may contain trace amounts of elements like nitrogen and boron but these are only impurities not part of the true chemical makeup. Diamonds are the hardest natural substance on earth and are associated with everything from love and wealth, to magic and healing.
Where do Diamonds Come From?
Until the 20th century only a few diamond deposits were known. Most were in India where they had been mined since about 1,000 years. In 1725, deposits were discovered in Brazil, and in 1870 major finds in South Africa increased the supply. Today diamonds are mined in over 25 countries on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. The supply has not decreased the value or the desire for this precious stone.
How To Choose a Diamond?
Choosing the perfect diamond involves many factors. How much you want to pay and what the purchase is for are only basics. You want to get the best value for your money. Diamonds are not only a pleasure; they are a treasure. They make a great investment. The following guidelines regarding the 4 C's of diamonds will help you choose wisely.
Cut
The cut of a diamond is what gives it its sparkle. The proper cut allows light to reflect from one facet to the other and then disperse through the top of the stone. If the cut is too deep some light will escape through the opposite end of the pavilion of the stone. If the cut is to shallow light will escape through the pavilion before it reflects.
Some people confuse cut with shape. Diamonds can be cut into many shapes. The most popular shapes are
- Brilliant
- Marquise
- Pear
- Emerald
- Oval
- Heart
Color
Diamonds are found in many colors ranging from faint yellows or browns, to the very rare pinks, blues, greens and other colors that are called “fancies” Colors are graded from totally colorless (the best), to light yellow.
Clarity
A diamonds clarity refers to the amount of flaws or tiny impurities it contains. These impurities are called inclusions and they can interfere with the light passing through the diamond. A diamond with no inclusions is a very rare stone and thus very expensive.
Carat
The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. A carat is divided into 100 points; so a diamond of 50 points is said to weigh .50 ct. It is important to remember that even though 2 diamonds weigh the same they may not be of equal value. Cut, color and clarity are also determining factors.
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