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

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Diamonds: Interesting facts

Diamonds are the symbol that we use to show are undying love for someone. They are the traditional icon of romance and love. Most people may be surprised to learn that the majority of diamonds that are mined today are used for industrial purposes and not for jewelry.

Historians believe that diamonds may have first been used for industrial purposes not for their brilliant sparkle and allure. Peter Lu a Harvard physicist and his colleagues discovered that in the late Stone Age the Chinese used diamonds to polish ceremonial burial axes. Today about 80% of mined diamonds are used for cutting, drilling, grinding and polishing.

Most people might be surprised to know that diamonds are not the hardest substance on Earth. Diamonds are the hardest natural mineral substance, but they are not the hardest substance known to man. A substance called Aggregated Diamond Nonorods is about 11 % harder than a diamond.

The first diamonds were discovered by Indians over 3,000 years ago. Diamonds didn’t get associated with love and romance until the 1940’s when the De Beers Company began to advertise diamonds as the perfect item for a wedding or engagement rings. They did an all out media campaign and soon people were buying diamond engagement rings all over the world.

It is believed that most diamonds are over three billion years old and most are formed more than 100 miles below the surface of the earth. Before the sixth century, India was the only known source of diamonds and was the predominant source for over 2,000 years.

The Romans believed that diamonds had the power to ward off evil and wore them as talismans. It is believed that they inherited this belief from Indian mythology. In France in the thirteenth century it was decreed that only the king could wear diamonds.

The Gemological Institute of America was founded in the 1950’s. It was the first internationally accepted diamond grading system. This system applied uniform criteria to grading the quality of polished diamonds. The GIA Gem Trade Laboratory Diamond Grading Report is the benchmark for the international gem and jewelry industry.

The Cullinan diamond was the largest rough diamond ever found and was 3,106 carats. It was discover in the Premier mine of South Africa in 1905.It was cut into nine major stones. The largest of the stones is the Star of Africa and is 550.20 carats. It is housed in the Tower of London and mounted in the British Royal Scepter.  The most recent diamond discoveries have been in the Northwest Territories of Canada and in Colorado. Explorers found diamond pipes in both locations in 1990.

It wasn’t until the late 13^th century that diamonds were used in European jewelry. Diamonds were initially used for engraving other gems including sapphire cameos. They were also used for drilling holes in hard stone beads.

Diamonds have been around forever and are cherished by all. Diamonds have an exciting and lively history. These are just a few of the fascinating facts associated with diamonds.

Photo by jurvetson

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De Beers Canada very recently bestowed upon Queen’s Park (also known as the Government of Ontario, Canada) the gift of an awesome a pair of diamonds obtained from its own Ontarian Victor Diamond Mine. Each diamond was handpicked by Ontario’s chief gemologist, Ron Gashinski. The carefully selected diamonds, have been set in the symbolically authoritative gilded copper mace that is brought into the Legislature each day.

At the beginning of each legislative session, the sergeant-at-arms, bearing the mace on his right shoulder, leads the Speaker of the House into the chamber, then sets it down on the clerk‘s table after the Speaker is seated.

According to Speaker Steve Peters, what makes it particularly special, is the fact that it is “probably the first time diamonds from a Canadian mine have been incorporated into the mace.“ Most of us will agree that Canada is not the first country that usually comes to mind when diamond mining is thought of. The truth of the matter is this: The Victor Mine is only the second mine owned by De Beers that is located beyond the continent of Africa.

Actually, De Beers Canada had given the Canadian government three diamonds to use. However, only two were selected for the mace, and the third will go on display at one of Ontario’s local exhibits; each of the diamonds weighing between two and four carats. Hmm… Let’s see…for us diamond lovers here… that’s at least three engagement rings’ worth!

Speaker of the House, Premier Dalton McGuinty further explains the symbolism, “The rough diamond signifies Ontario’s natural riches and leads to the polished stone reminding us what our great province is capable of.”

Nice sentiment. Very nice one indeed.

Interested in Canadian Diamonds, they are also conflict-free diamonds, visit DanforthDiamond.com

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Although facts pertaining to the actual time and receipt of the first engagement ring are not clear, it is believed that history will show that betrothals, even as far back as the late 1400’s, were usually marked by the giving of a ring of some kind. It is said that the custom of presenting a diamond ring as a symbol of serious intent, may have originated in Europe, when Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg chose this approach to seal the deal with Mary of Burgundy. No doubt, the thrilled look on her face, may have prompted other well-to-do nobles and wealthy onlookers, to follow this pioneering trend setter and do the same. Since diamonds are among the strongest and most heat resistant minerals in existence, it would only seem appropriate that such a serious proposal of marriage be represented with a gem of like substance. Just think: If not for his innovative thinking, she may have gotten a horse and buggy!

As time progressed, trends changed. Before the late 1800’s diamonds had been extremely rare. However, in the 19th century, diamonds became more abundant, with most of them coming from South Africa. Along with abundance, came affordability, (as well as availability) and so many who previously were not able to obtain them, soon discovered that it was well within reach, to grasp a shining star of their very own. And so they did.

This fact did not go unnoticed ; and so as the 20th century rolled around, the diamond supply originating from South Africa, began to come under the control of De Beers, the industry leader. In time, around 1947, De Beers began an aggressive and effective diamond marketing campaign. Not long afterwards, Hollywood began to pick up on the glamorous trend. Stars such as Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell soon propelled diamond popularity to new heights, and before long, almost every single lady involved in a committed relationship, wanted a diamond engagement ring of her very own.

However, regardless of history or marketing, it can be said that diamonds have remained gorgeous throughout the ages; and that a diamond engagement ring still remains the ultimate symbol of  love and new beginnings.

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