Diamond Buying AdviceDiamond Advice and Information on Choosing a Diamond

Did you think that the world’s only diamond mines were located in South Africa? Well, here’s a bit of news for you…Crater of Diamonds State Park, located in the state of Arkansas, USA, is the world’s only diamond-producing site that is open to the general public.

The park was once owned by a farmer; a Mr. John Huddleston, who found the first diamonds in 1906. After a series of failed attempts on his part to turn the land into a profitable business venture, the mine eventually became a state park in 1972.

Visitors are invited to search within its 37 ½ acres for gemstones that they can keep for their very own. The park has a “finders keepers” policy; which means that any treasure unearthed (regardless of value) immediately becomes the property of the one finding it.

In this same park, in April, 2009 a 5.75 carat white diamond was found by a Mr. Mike Burns. As recently as this past October 30, Mr. Billy Moore of Murfreesboro, found yet another sizable gem; a 3.2 carat stone. Mr. Moore had first mistaken it as a crumpled up chewing gum wrapper. Diamonds of various other colors can also be found on the property. Yellow and brown diamonds, as well as other types of stones have also been unearthed. Peridot, jasper, quartz, amethysts…have all been found on this same site.

Feeling lucky yet? Then pack your pickaxe and head for Arkansas. Who knows? Aside from having a great adventure, you just may discover that treasure of a lifetime!

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?

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

Photo by Stewart Leiwakabessy

It appears that the bar is continually being raised when it comes to finding rare diamonds…especially colored diamonds. In this particular case, the diamond we speak of is a gorgeous 7.03 carat, practically perfect blue diamond. To attain this almost absolute perfection, it was cut from an original 27 carat stone. Blue diamonds (second in scarcity only to red diamonds) are some of the rarest precious stones that can be found. What makes this particular diamond especially awesome, is that it is said to be internally ‘flawless’; an uncommon quality when it comes to diamonds…period.

The blue diamond (currently in a ring setting, and as of yet unnamed), will be the main attraction at an upcoming fine jewelry auction, and is scheduled to be auctioned off in Geneva, Switzerland by Sotheby’s sometime in May. It is estimated that it will command a price somewhere within the 5 to 8 million dollar (US) range.

The diamond, hailing from South Africa, and found in the Cullinan mine; was extracted by Petra Diamonds. This particular mine has had the reputation of regularly yielding high quality diamonds for quite some time now.

During these uncertain financial times, the price of diamonds of the highest quality remain somewhat steady; as they are timeless and remain mostly unaffected. Although fairly rare, diamond jewelry of color can be found at reputable jewelers located in less than exotic places. Of course, one would not expect to find a world class, museum quality, diamond just sitting around in a mall; but just think: Any diamond can truly be a one-of-a-kind diamond in its own right, when given to a one-of-a-kind-person. Although a reputable jeweler will certainly be able to assist you in finding the diamond; it‘s up to you to find the person. Now that’s what you can call rare!

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/97695/rare-blue-diamond-gets-preview-at-sotheby-s/Default.aspx

http://news.aol.com/article/blue-diamond-auction/436116

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.