Diamonds And Engagement Rings 101

Each diamond is a work of art created by mother nature perfected under extreme pressure and temperature to make it precious no matter what its price. Whether it is a simple round brilliant or an exquisite Asscher cut diamond, whether it’s a top quality D-IF or FL or a more down-to-earth G-H SI1, we will help you discover the inner fire of every diamond.

A diamond is bought and graded on four important criteria, known as the 4Cs – color, clarity, carat weight and cut. Each criteria plays an important role in determining the price and quality, however, you may place more or less importance on any of Cs depending on your personal decision.

Different cuts give different results. They are: The Brilliant Cut has 58 facets, 33 on the top and 24 on the bottom and the culet (this is the bottom point). In this cut, all 58 facets appear to radiate from the center out through the top of the diamond. The Step Cut resembles stair steps. This is because three concentric rows of facets are arranged around the table, the pavilion and the culet. The Emerald Cut is an example of a step cut diamond. The Mixed Cut combines elements of both, the brilliant and the step cuts. For example, the crown may be cut as a brilliant cut and the pavilion as a step cut. Learn more about Fancy Cut Diamonds.

Cuts, too, are graded, from ideal to poor. Too many deep or shallow cuts will result in a poor cut diamond. When the cut too deep, light is reflected through the sides and the center of the diamond may appear dark. A shallow cut diamond allows light to escape from the bottom and makes the table appear dull. Too shallow a cut gives the appearance of a black hole, referred to by industry as a fish eye.

A diamond’s distinctive glow when the stone is seen under an ultraviolet light. The fluorescence of a diamond is defined by its intensity as either None, Faint, Medium, Strong or Very Strong. In the very high colors D, E, and F strong blue fluorescence is less desirable. However, in the slightly lower colors of J and below, strong blue fluorescence is desirable, as it makes the diamond appear whiter.

Diamonds come in different shapes and each one has certain characteristics that determine quality. Here we show you how to recognize the most beautiful diamond from the characteristics inherent to each shape.

Fancy Colored Diamonds

Fancy color diamonds that occur naturally without any “enhancements” are rare and expensive. Yellow is the most common colored diamond, while pink, red, blue and green diamonds are extremely rare. Fancy color diamonds are cut to maximize color, not clarity. Of the 4Cs, color is the most important criterion for “Fancy Color Diamonds and Gemstones“. Generally, the higher the saturation of color, the more valuable the stone. The appearance of color is created from the combined effect of: Hue the predominant color Tone the darkness of the color Saturation the intensity of the color Diamonds get their color from trace elements or internal structural anomalies in the diamond. For example, Brown is caused by a distortion of the atomic structure of the stone. Brown diamonds vary in shades from Champagne to Cognac. A Yellow Diamond gets its color from the presence of nitrogen. Blue diamonds are created from trace elements of boron. Pink diamonds owe their coloring to a phenomenon in the crystal lattice structure of the diamond. Green diamonds were exposed to natural radiation as they were forming billions of years ago.

GIA uses specific grades to identify the ranges of color: Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Dark, Fancy Deep.

Certain treatments can enhance colorlessness or intensify the color of fancy colored diamonds. They can alter the clarity grade as well. Such treatments can give temporary or permanent results, but any diamond that has been treated in anyway, shape or form will always be valued less than the natural thing.

The setting for the diamond is a matter of personal taste. Try different settings to see which one suits your stone the best. Prong Frequently used in solitaire rings, prongs around the diamond hold it in place. They may be pointed, rounded, flat or V-shaped. Generally a four-prong setting is used. Larger diamonds are generally set with six prongs.

Channel: Same size diamonds are lined up and set in a groove between two strips of precious metal. There is no visible metal between the stones. Bezel: The edges of the diamond are closed over by the edges of the metal to hold it in place. Normally, only the upper portion of the diamond from the girdle up is visible. Tension: Special alloys are used in a tension setting where the diamond is held by creating a tension in the band. This setting requires sophisticated technology. Pave: A paved effect is created by setting smaller diamonds as close together as possible so there appears to be no metal between the stones. Bar: A long thin bar placed between the two stones holds them in place. Is similar to channel settings.

Every year it is advisable to get your jewelry examined by a professional. They will check for loose stones, bent prongs or signs of wear. You should also have your jewelry professionally cleaned at this time. You can even clean your jewelry at home by using over-the-counter jewelry cleaners. Pay careful attention to the instructions; these cleaners may not be suitable for pearls or other gemstones. Prepare a mixture of half cold water and half household ammonia and soak jewelry for 30 minutes. Gently rub with a soft brush. Let dry on a paper towel. This mixture may not be suitable for pearls or other gemstones. Soak your jewelry in a small bowl of warm water with a drop of mild liquid detergent. Gently rub with a soft brush. Carefully rinse under warm water. Pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth.

Warning: Be advised that if you have a clarity enhanced diamond you will want to take special precautions, as most jewelry cleaning treatments at home, or at a business will ruin the clarity enhancement process, and your diamond will take on the look it was before they treated it. Which will result in you having to send your diamond in to someone who specializing in enhancing and re-enhancing diamonds. There will usually be a hefty charge for this.