Diamond Buying AdviceDiamond Advice and Information on Choosing a Diamond

When one usually thinks of diamonds, (especially the perfect diamond) what usually comes to mind are those that are clear and white; diamonds believed to be so exceptionally perfect, that blinding rainbows burst out with every beam of light touching them.

Those types of diamonds, will more than likely boast a rating high on the official clarity scale chart. However, just suppose…what if…just what if… one happens to stumble upon the diamond of their dreams ; and it just happens to be a deep brown; with a radiating warmth and richness that can compare with no other? Many have found this to be just the case.

Back in the early 2000’s , a company by the name of Le Vian, no doubt noticing that many had an affinity for this type of diamond, capitalized on this fact. Prior to this, diamonds that were of this deep, warm, chocolate color were known as “low color (or brown) diamonds”. Since that time, many celebrities have developed a fondness for diamonds of this type; oftentimes being seen on the red carpet, and at many other high profile events wearing Le Vian diamonds.

Through somewhat aggressive campaigning, Le Vian has successfully marketed these diamonds; presenting them to an audience that has a natural tendency to thrive on the unusual and the daring. And with this; brown diamonds became “in”. Lest we forget: De Beers, via similar aggressive campaigning, had been highly successful in identifying what, at the time, appeared to be a niche market just a few short decades ago. Chocolate diamonds…could they possibly be for you? Well, to us it seems that it’s all just a matter of taste

The Cullinan Diamond Mine, once owned by the famed DeBeers company, in South Africa has done it yet again! Way back when, (in 1905), its namesake; the so-named Cullinan Diamond was discovered. Eventually, becoming part of the British crown jewels, this diamond ‘fit for a king’ (or queen) weighed in at an almost unimaginable 3106 carats!

Now, let’s fast forward a hundred years or so plus (specifically 2008); and out of the same mine comes another beauty…this time, in the form of a high-quality 101.27 carat stunner. No stranger to producing diamonds of great importance (not to mention…with considerable regularity), Cullinan’s very latest breathtaking gem, unearthed by The Petra Diamonds group, and weighing in at an astounding 507.55 carats (nearly the size of a golf ball), was discovered on Thursday September 24 2009…along with three ‘smaller’ stones in comparison; weighing 168.00, 58.50, and 53.30 carats respectively.

While each of the diamonds is currently undergoing intense analysis, the largest one has garnered the most attention, and is under the closest scrutiny; as it has the possibility of being considered to belong to the rare Type II diamond type. Diamonds of the Type II distinction have characteristically minimal traces of nitrogen (a contaminant), and are known for their exceptional clarity and transparency. It is not to difficult to understand why The Cullinan Diamond Mine is widely recognized as being amongst the three top producing diamonds mines in the world.

With a solid track record like theirs, one can only wonder and imagine what other hidden treasures Cullinan will unearth next…and where?

Commonly known in the industry as “treated diamonds“ or “enhanced diamonds“, many less than perfect diamonds on the market have been given such overhauls, so as to improve their appearance, both outwardly and inwardly.

The procedure(s) involve processes designed to downplay any visible inclusions or any other imperfections that most natural diamonds are prone to having. Infrared laser treatments, which are now readily available, can be used to improve a gem’s clarity, as well as change the color, if so desired. If done correctly, many of these treatments are foolproof enough, so as to often result in the diamond’s obtaining a higher grade! Oftentimes, only by looking at them under a high powered microscope, can the diamond’s secret be revealed. As to be expected, diamonds that have undergone this type of process are not as resilient as diamonds left in their natural state. In fact, some have, in a few instances, “cracked” under pressure.

While this may appear to be a breakthrough for the modern jeweler, many “old school” gemologists and fine jewelers are purists, and so vehemently oppose using any of these processes; as they believe that any “enhancements” should be a direct result of the diamond cutter’s expertise, used in combination with the diamond‘s own natural qualities.

While it is not illegal to sell “enhanced” diamonds; by law, (specifically by the United States Federal Trade Commission), a jeweler is under obligation to disclose to any potential buyer that the gem has indeed been enhanced.

What you, as a consumer need to know is this: This may just be the type of diamond that you are looking for! Do your homework! Be aware of what you are purchasing! You may find that, as long as all is disclosed, you may be surprised .

Instead of being tricked…you may be in for a treat!

So many diamonds to see, and so little time. Still looking for a nice diamond for your intended? We know how difficult it is to make a decision, but following is only one, among many possibly wonderful suggestions:

Easily fitting the criteria of unique and beautiful diamond cuts is the semi-classic cushion-cut. A cushion-cut diamond is so named due to its striking resemblance to a pillow; especially when viewed from topside. Usually shaped somewhat square with softened corners, one of the main traits of this diamond cut is that it makes good use of the less frequently used larger facet. The design is brilliance enhancing , and makes the most of a diamond’s best features. Despite its modern appearance, this popular diamond style has been around for over a hundred years.

Dimension and clarity play an important role in defining the diamond’s overall ‘look’. Since each diamond has its own ‘personality’, as well as its own uniqueness, one will find that, depending on depth and clarity, one cushion-cut diamond can look somewhat different from another with the same cut.

A diamond of this cut can be extremely versatile when it comes to selecting a suitable setting. Either a simply tasteful or intriguingly exquisite setting will suit this diamond just fine. This diamond looks great in a plain setting of gold, (either white or yellow) as well as platinum. Just a bit of practical advice: If you are in the market for a diamond…any diamond; take the time to carefully look it over and think about the recipient; think about how it will represent, you, the giver. If the vibe (along with the financing, of course) is right, then you can surely feel confident enough to make one of the best memorable selections of a lifetime.

From Danforth Diamond, engagement ring experts.

Picking out a diamond engagement ring is a very exciting and memorable experience. The more you know about diamonds the better you will be at finding the perfect diamond to fit your budget. To be able to choose a good quality diamond you must first understand the 4 C’s. The 4 C’s are cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

When a jeweler talks about a diamond’s cut they are not referring to the shape. The shape refers to the general appearance of the diamond. They are talking about the angles and proportions that are made when a rough diamond is transformed into a polished diamond.

The cut is probably the most important and the hardest to figure out when it comes to choosing a diamond.  The brilliance of the diamond depends heavily on its cut. The cut gives a diamond the brightness that shines throughout the diamond. Because the cut is so important there are several grading methods that have been developed to help determine the cut.  The grades are Ideal, Very Good, Good and Fair/Poor cuts.

The Ideal cut is intended to maximize brilliance and usually is more expensive.  Very Good cut diamonds will reflect most of the light that enters them creating a good deal of brilliance. The Good cut diamond can offer an excellent cost savings to you if you are trying to stay within a budget. The Good cut offers quality and beauty for a reasonable price. Most reputable jewelers stay away from cuts that are Fair to Poor, because this cut only reflects a small portion of light.

Most diamonds will contain some type of flaw or inclusions that happened during the formation process.  The number, size and visibility of these flaws determine the clarity of the diamond.  Diamonds that have less flaws or imperfections will create more brilliance and therefore are highly prized and pricier.

When it comes to diamonds, no color is the most desirable. This is because it allows the most reflection of light.  When jewelers are grading the color of a diamond, they refer to a professional color scale.  The scale begins with the highest rating of the letter “D” for colorless and a color scale continues all the way to Z. You will notice that there may be a very faint hint of yellow apparent in diamonds graded J through M. These grades of diamonds look very nice in a gold setting.

The carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured.  Large diamonds are less common than small diamonds. The larger the diamond is, the higher the price.  To decide on the carat size you first need to determine your budget.  Deciding on the carat size is about striking a balance between size and quality.

These are just a few things that you should know when you are deciding on which diamond engagement ring to buy the love of your life.  It’s wise to shop around and do your homework and learn all you can about diamonds and pricing.  This is just a simple overview to give you an idea of what you need to look for.  You can do your own research and find out more about the 4 C’s and Diamond Certificates so you can make a knowledgeable decision on the ring for your fiancé.

by Lawrence Reaves

Photo by paulmcdee

It is a very exciting time isn’t it? The prospect of buying an engagement ring for your love of a lifetime. You begin to think it only reasonable that such a perfect love be symbolized with a perfect diamond engagement ring. But, have you done your homework?

Please keep in mind that diamonds, real diamonds are created by nature; and are prone to having at least a few blemishes, or inclusions. Because of this, the industry has developed a grading scale. This scale is called the GIA clarity grading scale, and is based on what can be seen under a 10X loupe magnification. A “perfectly clear”, or colorless diamond would be one without obstructions blocking any light passing through it; the result being one of extraordinary brilliance. As you may have already guessed, these types of diamonds are fairly rare and can be quite costly.

Yes, engagement and wedding rings are to be chosen carefully, and should be expected to be beautiful. Not to worry…If an absolutely perfect and flawless diamond is out of your budget reach, there are a number of in-between grades that you may find to be almost equally as beautiful, quite acceptable, and to your liking. For instance: In the case of a multi-stone diamond ring, you may choose to have a larger, more visible stone be of a finer quality than any smaller companion diamonds surrounding it.

Again, since selecting an engagement or diamond wedding ring is something that one does not do on an every day basis, it is good to seek the advice and expertise of a reputable jeweler, who will be more than happy to assist you in being clear with your selection.