My Pink Diamonds

There are plenty of offers of jewelry that has artificial diamonds instead of real diamonds. This may cause you to wonder if you are being ripped off, and what the differences are between real diamonds and artificial ones.
Real diamonds are mined, whereas artificial diamonds are made in a lab. The main difference is in pricing, real diamonds are extremely high priced, supposedly due to scarcity although diamond mining companies have been accused of exaggerating the actual scarcity of diamonds in order to boost their profits. Whether or not this is true, the fact remains that artificial diamonds are significantly cheaper than real diamonds.
If you do not have the money needed to invest in jewelry with real diamonds, artificial diamonds can be a great choice. Although you will know the difference, you may not see the difference, depending on the quality of the artificial diamond you choose. Many artificial diamonds are very similar in appearance to real diamonds and most people cannot see the difference without training and/or proper testing equipment.
Many people buy synthetic diamonds because they do not wish to sponsor “blood diamonds” and child laborers that are often involved in harvesting diamonds. Another advantage is you don’t have to worry about getting ripped off after paying a large sum only to find you bought an artificial diamond for the price of the real thing. When buying an artificial diamond, you got exactly what you bargained for.
When shopping for artificial diamonds, go down to a local jewelry store and take a look at both real diamonds and artificial ones, make a comparison yourself. Chances are that without orientation, you won’t be able to tell the difference between a well made artificial diamond and a real one. Naturally, like with most products available, there are high quality and poor quality artificial diamonds. The artificial diamonds of lower quality will be murky and cloudy. A high quality artificial diamond will possess all the same qualities of a real diamond, and be indistinguishable from the real thing for the naked eye.
One way to tell the difference between high quality artificial diamonds and those of less quality is by analyzing the jewelry involved. Low quality jewelry will usually be fitted with low quality artificial diamonds, whereas high quality jewelry, usually made of gold and boasting fine workmanship, will generally be fitted with the finest artificial diamonds available. Depending on who you are buying the jewelry for, a lower quality artificial diamond may be okay, but if it is meant to be a special gift, you will want to invest a little more and buy jewelry with high quality artificial diamonds. Just because the artificial diamonds are not the real thing, does not mean they are cheap jewelry, artificial diamond jewelry is far cheaper than jewelry with real diamonds, but it is still considered quality jewelry and prices can be reasonably high.

Click the Certificate link below to learn all about A.G.S – American Gem Society or the G.I.A – Gemological Institute America.

CUT…A diamond’s cut is not only about its shape, but how effectively the stone can return light back to the viewer’s eye. A well-cut diamond will appear very brilliant and fiery; while more poorly cut stones can appear dark and lifeless, regardless of color or clarity.

Color…When shopping for a diamond, it is generally preferred to have the least amount of color possible. Diamond color is divided into five broad categories:

Colorless: Diamonds within the colorless range are the most rare and valuable of all the colors. color stones display virtually no color, whereas colored diamonds will display a nearly undetected amount of color when viewed face down by a gemologist.

Near Colorless: Diamonds within the near colorless range appear colorless in the face up position, but do display a slight amount of color when viewed face down against a perfectly white background. This trace amount of color will be undetectable to an untrained eye once the diamond has been mounted. Near colorless diamonds offer a tremendous value for the money.

Understanding Fluorescence – How does it effect a diamond?

Some diamonds can display a visible light called fluorescence when exposed to an ultraviolet light source. This fluorescence will be measured as inert, faint, medium or strong. Blue fluorescence is most common, however diamonds can also fluoresce white, yellow, and orange (among other colors). Fluorescence usually has no effect on a diamonds appearance in regular light conditions. Strong blue fluorescence can make a yellow colored diamond appear more white, but in rare cases can cause a stone to appear milky or oily. This milky or oily effect is called an “over blue” and only applies to a small number of “strong” and “very strong” fluorescent stones.

Which Color should you Choose?

Most people find it very difficult (if not impossible) to tell the difference from one color grade to another. The difference in price, however, can be significant.However, you can find a tremendous value while still achieving a “colorless” look. Shopping on a budget or trying to maximize the size of your stone? If so then “J” diamonds are most affordable and still near colorless. You may also want to consider choosing a diamond with medium or strong fluorescence. Since these diamonds are discounted slightly in price you can often afford a higher color stone without paying the premium.

Angola

In 1998, the United Nations (UN) placed Angola under sanctions forbidding countries from buying diamonds from them. This was the first resolution of the UN which specifically mentioned diamonds in the context of funding war. Reports estimated that as much as 20% of total production in the 1990s were being sold for illicit purposes, and 15% were specifically conflict in nature.By 1999, the illicit diamond trade was estimated by the World Diamond Council to have been reduced to 3.06% of the world’s diamond production.The World Diamond Council reported that by 2004 this percentage had fallen to approximately 1%.

Angola is a former colony of Portugal and gained independence in 1975. Although independent, the country saw civil war between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (PMLA) faction, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) faction. During this war, diamonds were traded by rebel groups to fund their war. The UN recognized the role that diamonds played in funding the UNITA rebels, and in 1998 banned countries from buying diamonds from Angola. Today Angola’s civil war has ended and the country is now a legitimate part of the diamond trade.

Sierra Leone

In July 1999, following over eight years of civil conflict, negotiations between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front led to the signing of the Lome Peace Agreement under which the parties agreed to the cessation of hostilities, disarmament of all combatants and the formation of a government of national unity. The United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) helped facilitate the negotiations. In resolution 1270 of October 22, 1999, the Security Council established the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) to help create the conditions in which the parties could implement the Agreement. Subsequently, the number of personnel were increased and tasks to be carried out by UNAMSIL adjusted by the Council in resolutions 1289 of February 8, 2000 and 1299 of May 19, 2000, making UNAMSIL the second largest peacekeeping force currently deployed by the United Nations (the largest such contingent is in the Congo.

Following international concern at the role played by the illicit diamond trade in fueling conflict in Sierra Leone, the Security Council adopted resolution 1306 on July 5, 2000 imposing a ban on the direct or indirect import of rough diamonds from Sierra Leone not controlled by the Government of Sierra Leone through a Certificate of Origin regime. An arms embargo and selective travel ban on non-governmental forces were already in effect under resolution 1171 of June 5, 1998.

On July 31, 2000 and August 1, 2000, Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1132 (1997) concerning Sierra Leone, presided over the first ever exploratory public hearing by the Security Council in New York. The hearing was attended by representatives of interested Member States, regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, the diamond industry and other relevant experts. The hearing exposed the link between the trade in illicit Sierra Leone diamonds and trade in arms and related material. The ways and means for developing a sustainable and well-regulated diamond industry in Sierra Leone were also discussed.

As called for by resolution 1306 of July 5, 2000, the Secretary-General, on August 2, 2000, established a Panel of Experts, to collect information on possible violations of the arms embargo and the link between trade in diamonds and trade in arms and related material, consider the adequacy of air traffic control systems in the West African region for the purpose of detecting flights suspected of contravening the arms embargo, and report to the Council with observations and recommendations on ways of strengthening the arms and diamonds embargoes no later than October 3, 2000. The Chairman of the Panel was Martin Chungong Ayafor (Cameroon). The other members were Atabou Bodian (Senegal), Johan Peleman (Belgium), Harjit Singh Sandhu (India) and Ian Smillie (Canada). The Panel submitted its report to the Security Council on December 19, 2000. On January 25, 2001 the Security Council, at its 4264th meeting, considered the report of the panel of experts.

Diamond revenues in Sierra Leone have increased more than tenfold since the end of the conflict, from $10 million in 2000 to about $130 million in 2004,although from 1989 to 2003 Liberia was engaged in a civil war. In 2000, the UN accused Liberian president Charles G. Taylor of supporting the RUF insurgency in Sierra Leone with weapons and training in exchange for diamonds. In 2001 the UN applied sanctions on the Liberian diamond trade. In August 2003 Taylor stepped down as president, and after being exiled to Nigeria, now faces trial in the Hague. On July 21, 2006 he pleaded not guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Liberia today is at peace and is attempting to construct a legitimate diamond mining industry. The UN has lifted sanctions and Liberia is now a member of the Kimberley process.

The cost of Diamond Earrings is dependent, first of all, on the value of the diamonds used for the Diamond Earrings. This means the diamonds should have great color, clarity that indicates how pure the diamond is, a satisfactory carat weight (which shows the weight of the diamond), and most importantly, have an excellent cut.

Once you have gauged the diamonds of your Diamond Earrings this way, you can examine your prospective purchase based on the certification granted by reputable gemological laboratories about the diamonds themselves. This leads you to an understanding of how much your Diamond Earrings should be worth once you factor in the market value of the diamonds into the equation.

Let’s face it, some diamonds have higher value than others. This tells us that some Diamond Earrings have better value than others as well. So you might be surprised that a more ornately-designed set of Diamond Earrings is priced lower than a simpler set of Diamond Earrings. The answer to the puzzle is that the diamonds of the simpler set have a higher value than the diamonds of the more ornate set. The final design may affect value of the Diamond Earrings somewhat but it is the base value of your diamonds that is really, really important.

When you are trying to look for Diamond Earrings to buy, the reputation of the retailer is another important consideration to factor in. A reputable retailer who sells just a few Diamond Earrings per week stands to survive longer in the cut-throat jewelry retail business than a retailer who cuts corners when it comes to producing and retailing Diamond Earrings. That is the whole point of good jewelry – you have to put tender loving care not just into making the jewelry but also in selling them. That is why those jewelers who sell quality Diamond Earrings can expect word-of-mouth referrals to help them sell more of those quality Diamond Earrings in the future. A jeweler who sells sub-standard Diamond Earrings should not be surprised that customers will bypass his store in favor of a jeweler who sells great Diamond Earrings then.

Once you seem to have found a reputable Diamond Earrings retailer, ask if he offers a money-back guarantee. This is like a warranty for a car – it gives you assurance that if the Diamond Earrings you bought do not meet your standards you can still have the set exchanged for a good set of Diamond Earrings. Another important consideration when seeking a Diamond Earrings retailer is if the retailer allows the diamonds in the earrings set to be changed or even upgraded later on. Sometimes, the recipient of our gift may want to upgrade the value of their Diamond Earrings so it would be nice if the diamonds could be upgraded – it is the diamonds after all which are the basis of the value of the jewelry.

Another factor that goes into your selection of Diamond Earrings to buy is “does this retailer provide after-sales service?” This means that if, for some reason or another, your diamond pops out of the setting in the earring then the retailer will take back the Diamond Earrings to fix the diamond back in its setting and make sure it is 100% secure this time.

Do not forget though that Diamond Earrings are like icing on a cake – it is the love that went into selecting the Diamond Earrings that really counts the most, not the financial value of the jewelry.

It may be easy to get confused as to what diamond necklaces are and how they differ from diamond pendants. But actually the difference is quite simple – a jewelry necklace is just any chain that was manufactured out of precious metals; or a chain of precious gems that have been attached to one another to form a chain. A pendant, on the other hand, is a small piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain. Strictly speaking, a pendant is one type of necklace so necklaces may come in other forms of jewelry that do not have pendants.

Diamond pendants, being made up of a small piece of jewelry hanging from a metal chain, will generally have less diamonds embedded into each pendant compared to diamond necklaces that may have diamonds linked to each other all throughout the length of the chain. Some people may prefer to wear diamond pendants because the beauty of the few diamonds or one diamond set into the pendant may be prettier or more appealing to see, than a host of diamonds linked to each other in a diamond necklace. But other people may like their jewelry to be flashier so they choose diamond pendants because these can show off more diamonds to whoever is watching.

Diamond necklaces may be of three types of length – you can buy the choker length, the princess length, or the opera length. Choker length diamond necklaces are those that surround the neck slightly above your collarbones. Princess length diamond necklaces are those that will hang lower than your collarbones or maybe drape just over the collarbones. (Princess length diamond necklaces are usually the most popular type of diamond necklaces bought by consumers.) The last type, the opera length diamond necklaces, are definitely more dramatic than the first two types because opera length diamond necklaces may hang over your dress front or blouse front – and so are more obvious to see. The jeweler that sells diamond necklaces to you may also have diamond necklaces that are variations of these three main types.

Who usually buys diamond necklaces? It is more accepted nowadays for women to use diamond necklaces, but that is not a hard and fast rule actually. There are really men too who like to wear diamond necklaces, especially diamond pendants, to accentuate their personal style of dressing up. You may find men who wear a diamond stud in one ear and a diamond pendant on a chain around his neck. When used the right way, men can really wear diamond necklaces and look good in the process. However, in more traditional and conservative work environments, men may not be comfortable wearing diamond necklaces or any type of diamond jewelry (aside from maybe a designer watch or diamond bracelet) because they may be mistaken for effeminate men. But in more laid-back work environments, wearing jewelry such as diamond necklaces may have become quite acceptable for men as well as for women in these modern times. In such a case, your diamond necklaces can be safely worn without fear of negative consequences happening to you in the end.

If you are not familiar with the use of diamond pendants or diamond bracelets, then it may be time to start learning. At some point, you will probably find yourself in a situation where at the very least you have to speak knowledgeably about them.

Diamond pendants are pendants that have diamonds set into their metal (sometimes precious metal) base. A pendant is a piece of jewelry, usually quite small, that you can hang around your neck on a chain. The chain of the pendant may also be made of precious metals, or at least some type of expensive metal. In this sense, diamond pendants can be said to be a way of discreetly showing off the beauty of your wealth.

Diamond bracelets are simply bracelets made out of precious metals or metals with diamonds set into them in a pattern. You wear diamond bracelets on your wrist. We might say that diamond bracelets are a more overt way of displaying your jewelry to others while diamond pendants tend to play down your wealth and just let others get a peep at the jewelry when it flashes at them out of your upper clothing.

The design of diamond pendants is becoming more and more creative as time goes by. One design shows two tiny gold baby shoes into which the diamonds are attractively set. This would probably be an appropriate diamond pendant for a mother who has just given birth, or for the child himself to wear during his baptism. Another design which you might like is for the pendant to be shaped in the form of the infinity symbol (that looks like a number eight) with diamonds set all throughout the shape of the infinity symbol.

Crucifixes are a very popular among those who buy diamond pendants. When crucifixes are used, these diamond pendants may be a bit larger than other types of diamond pendants. But some diamond pendants in the form of crucifixes can also be tiny and discreet.

If you want your diamond pendants to be custom-made, you might want the diamond pendants to also use other precious stones aside from diamonds. Sapphires are a popular choice because these colored gems go so well with the flash and fire of diamonds. Try looking for sapphire and diamond pendants – you’ll see how beautiful the combination is actually with just one glance.

The value of diamond pendants comes not just from the diamonds themselves but also from the artistry that went into designing and making these diamond pendants. A diamond cut and shaped by a novice will be of lesser value than a diamond crafted by a master artisan, even if the rough diamond of the novice was of higher value before being cut and shaped for setting into the pendant. You may want to invest in diamond pendants if you can see the financial value such investments can bring you over time. That is partly why diamond pendants are still in demand today even among people who may not even wear the jewelry themselves or maybe wear them infrequently.

You have to be careful though about where you choose to wear your diamond pendants. That is because if they hang from your neck on a gold chain, it is very easy for a thief to simply grab the pendant and – with one swift tug – break the chain and run away with the pendant. Even if the thief can’t get the gold chain, he will still make a pretty profit from his loot because the diamond pendant may be worth quite a lot on the black market anyway. Wear diamond pendants only in a secure environment where you know you can relax and let your diamond pendant be appreciated by those you encounter.

Natural Flaws within a Diamond

Many natural flaws can be discovered inside the formation of a diamond under the inspection process, these precious gemstones are considered imperfect. Most diamond flaws that occur during the formation of the diamond naturally are not visible to the naked eye and will rarely hinder its market value. The natural flaws that are found in diamonds are actually the inclusions of trace minerals and composites that were present in the area during the time of the natural formation process of the precious gemstone millions of years ago.

These minor inclusions can on occasion, cause the diamond it have a dull appearance or slight discoloration. A common diamond flaw, a tiny crack, will affect the stones clarity. As light passes through the stone, it is interrupted by the distorted reflection. More noticeable diamond flaws are inclusions of a mineral composite, creating a discoloration in the overall look. Rarely, is a diamond graded as “no flaw” and, to find one on the market would be an even rarer find.

Small natural flaws in a diamond will rarely affect the value of the diamond. On the other hand, diamond flaws that are large enough can cause a weakness in the gemstone itself. These larger than normal infractions and over sized inclusions may cause the precious stone to shatter or break under normal wear. Flaws of this nature, you need to be aware of since they do reduce the value of your gemstone. Diamond Pinpoint Inclusion Flaws

A diamond that appears to have dark speckles, which resemble dirt clusters displaced throughout the gemstone, it is considered to have a natural diamond flaw called a pinpoint inclusion. If the dirt cluster like crystals are too dense to the naked eye and resembles a cloud, the clarity of the diamond will be affected when the diamond is graded by a gemologist or jeweler. Diamond Imperfections caused by Laser Treatments

When a jeweler finds an imperfect diamond possessing cloud like crystal flaws he may choose to perform a laser treatment on the diamond, provided the diamond is feasibly large enough to maintain the market values. Laser treatments are often used on imperfections to increase the diamonds appeal and to either gain or maintain market value for the precious stone. Laser treatments are visible from the outer edge of the diamond and works inward to the discoloration area of the diamond cut. The laser performs a bleaching effect on the area that is discolored. After treatment is completed, a glass like substance may be used to fill in the space created by the laser. Diamond Flaws caused by Mineral and Crystal Inclusions

Not all diamond imperfections have a negative impact on its market value. Diamonds can also create eye catching and pleasing flaws within its character. Minerals that were trapped during the natural processes of the diamond formation can cause imperfections. These various minerals or crystals can give the diamond a hue of yellow to brown, green, and pink, or blue like in the case of the infamous Hope Diamond.

In rare instances, another precious gemstone can be found inside the diamond, and is not seen or graded as an imperfection flaw. Diamonds have been recovered that had another valuable carbon based gemstone embedded inside of the diamond. In which case, the diamond would take on an extremely rare characteristic and would be graded highly by the jeweler in respect to market value.

Israel Glitters with Its Diamonds

The Israeli Diamond industry has designated India as a strategic target for 2008. Diamonds account for about 70 per cent of the bilateral trade between Israel and India and the volume has been growing rapidly in the recent past.

The Israel Diamond Exchange is the official name of the organisation in Tel Aviv that organises, conducts and manages the industry to the benefit of its members. The building looms large in the Ramat Gan area of the city, and appears disproportionately large in the tourist maps of the city.

But I was hard pressed to explain my destination to my taxi driver. After trying to say the name with different accents, I pulled out the map and pointed it to him. ‘Ah, Borsa,’ he exclaimed. Everybody knows the borsa, or the bourse, where diamonds are traded.

Interesting anomaly.

But diamonds in Israel is itself an interesting anomaly. Early economic theories stressed the need for natural resources on which to base a country’s economic development till countries such as Singapore proved that what you needed was a vision, and hard work to make development happen. Israel is like that. Without diamond mines and without a major market to consume the product, Israel is still a major player in the global diamond industry.

Israel is said to account for roughly half of the rough and polished diamonds traded in the world, and has built this position based on its creativity and technological competence in polishing and designing equipment that is used in the industry.

The Diamond Exchange is a comprehensive centre; a complex of four interconnected buildings with what is reportedly the world’s largest trading floor, offices for the traders, banks, post office, restaurants, a synagogue, and day care facilities for children. You do not need to leave the place! Such a centre, in any place, needs to have high security, and in Israel, which is not at peace with all its neighbours and faces violent attacks, the need for security has the place tightly sewed up. I had to provide my passport particulars a day ahead in order to be cleared to enter the building.

The security also seems appropriate for a business that has, at higher levels, been shrouded in secrecy, and is an industry that seems to deviate from all the accepted theories of business and management. The official face of DeBeers, the private company that controls the industry, is just innocuously called the Central Selling Organisation (CSO), not wanting to attract attention. Hmm. An organisation that does not want publicity!

Crafted by CSO

The diamond industry is carefully managed by the CSO, which has about 50 per cent of the world’s share of the market. Much like the central planners of the former Soviet Union, it sets the prices at which it will sell its rough diamonds to ‘sight holders’ who are its approved buyers. You take it or decline; there is no negotiation. Even Russia, now a major diamond producer, prefers to let DeBeers take the lead in setting prices, for the company has mastered the art of managing both demand and supply to keep price high. Interestingly enough, in the case of luxury goods such as diamonds, nobody is interested in the prices crashing! It is obvious that the supplier wants high prices, but so does the buyer, for it represents her/his status and luxury.

That same spirit of secrecy and security pervades other aspects of the operations of the diamond exchange. In any other exchange, you will see listings of opening and closing prices and volume of trades in a day. Not here. The Exchange does not keep records of the volume of business conducted on the trading floor. You are not going to see flashing signs listing the going price.

You will see two individuals seated across a small desk, negotiating a price for a small piece of stone wrapped in paper. A trader, who has just made a few millions in profit, will probably shuffle across the floor claiming to his friends that business is bad, so as not to attract attention! A person transporting diamonds is not likely to advertise that fact too for obvious reasons.

SBI in fray

The Israeli Diamond industry has designated India as a strategic target for 2008, signalling that there is going to be increased cooperation between the two countries. The trend has been building for a while. Diamonds account for about 70 per cent of the bilateral trade between Israel and India and the volume has been growing rapidly in the recent past.

If the diamond business is growing, the banks cannot be far behind. And that is where the State Bank of India (SBI) has entered the fray. The bank has been in the diamond business for about 30 years and already operates in other diamond centres such as Antwerp, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, New York and Mumbai.

Ms V. Sasikala, my gracious host during my visit to the Diamond Exchange, is the CEO of SBI’s operations in Tel Aviv and was sent there to get the operations started. She has successfully managed to find a strategic perch for the bank by locating it physically in the bourse in such a manner that the bank can be accessed from the rear by its diamond clients and thus have all the security protection they need At the same time, the bank can be accessed from the front by ‘market’ (or non-diamond) customers without being hassled by the need for security clearances.

‘Cutting-edge’ technology

There are about 35 Indians in the diamond business in the bourse and they have been operating there long before diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1992. One of them, Nimish Modi, who has been operating in Israel for about 30 years, briefed me on the changes he has seen in the business.

One has been the inroads that machines and technology have made, gradually taking over skills that were previously in the domain of human expertise. Israel’s traditional role in the diamond business came from its diamond cutting expertise which, for cost reasons, has now largely shifted to other countries, such as India.

Mr Modi explained that the two fields in which Israel has competence now is in its network of trading and marketing, and in its technological competence in developing many of the machines that have an important role in the industry.

One of the machines in the bourse’s technical centre demonstrated how much of the skill had now been transferred to the machine.

With the rough diamond placed in a compartment, a laser scans it, analyses the data, and provides a report that gives the colour, carat and other characteristics. It then displays what could be the most efficient cut and is also prepared to mark it on the stone as a guide for the cutter. While the standard mass merchandising diamonds go to China, the more creative cuts are done in India.

Ms Sasikala took about nine months since landing in Tel Aviv to start the branch, which began operations in 2007 and was also the first foreign bank in the bourse. Often one thinks of starting operations in a new country as challenging due to the need to understand the environment, which includes the regulations, the local business culture, finding the office space and people, and so on.

But there is another side to it, namely, the need to effectively convey to one’s head office how some of the standard operating procedures and rules will not work in the new environment and secure the necessary permissions to design a new structure and culture. So, a pioneering manager has to manage both ends of the operation while at the same time, setting the right precedents.

Opening up opportunities

The diamonds sector makes up about 90 per cent of SBI’s business there now, but Ms Sasikala sees enough opportunities in other sectors of Israel’s economy that do business with India such as telecommunications, plastics, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, to drop the diamonds’ share of her business to about 50 per cent in the near future. Not a small achievement.

Here is an interesting example of the kinds of opportunities that have shown up on her door. Since religious strictures prevent orthodox Jews from receiving interest from other Jews, they shun Jewish banks and are looking at SBI with great interest!

Israel is thriving and it will be wonderful if it can share some of that prosperity with its poorer cousins, the Palestinians. SBI can even play a role here with India having good relations with both sides of the disputed territories. SBI’s expertise in lending to small businesses, weaker sections, and priority sectors is applicable in the West Bank. Maybe we will see an office there too very soon.

Since time immemorial diamond engagement rings have been used by men to propose their lady love. When confused regarding how to propose your beloved for marriage opt for the ever shiny diamond engagement rings.

Diamond depicts true love. It depicts deep rooted faith and commitment. The shine in the diamond brings a spark to the eyes of your beloved when you gift it to her. That’s the magic of diamond engagement ring.

Earlier diamonds were related only to the royal class. But with the advent of Dee Beers, diamond came under the reach of normal people. ‘Diamonds are forever’ was the tag line of De Beers. And now these tiny bits of pieces will surely reside in the heart of the women, forever.

So the next time, on any special occasion, do not miss the chance of gifting a diamond engagement ring to the most important lady of your life. But before buying a diamond engagement ring one should be cautious and keep certain things in mind.

To avoid spending huge amount on a piece that’s not worth it, keep in mind the 4 C’s of diamond. The 4 C’s of diamond are Cut, Clarity, Carat and Color. Isn’t it interesting to know that thousand million diamond engagement rings are sold every year and still people lack knowledge about a perfect piece of diamond.

Out of the 4C’s of diamond, the diamond cut is the most important. But one should not confuse between diamond cut and diamond shape. Shape is just the outward appearance.

To know about the quality of the cut of the diamond, remember that the incident light should enter the stone through the table and crown and should travel towards the pavilion where it reflects from one side to the other before bouncing back out of the diamond’s table toward the observer’s eye.

If we discuss about the color of diamonds, we should first clear the concept that diamonds are always colorless. Though the diamonds comes in various colors, diamond engagement rings are often taken as colorless.

In terms of clarity, diamonds are measured in the scale of Imperfect 3 and Flawless.

Thus, before buying any diamond engagement ring, keep in mind the cut, clarity, color and carat of diamond. This will help you make your shopping a success.

If confused about where to buy a diamond engagement ring, then log on to a reliable and esteemed online diamond store. These days’ buying online diamond engagement rings is no more a tough job. Clearly read the details of the engagement ring of your choice and order online. It will reach your doorstep within a couple of days.

Make her heart merrier with a beautiful diamond engagement rings; and see how much more she loves you.

Believe it a not; there are jewelers who are unable to differentiate a diamond cut from a diamond shape. Everyone is so hyped up about the carat weight and has totally forgotten about the other 3 characteristics of a diamond. It won’t take you years or months to learn something about diamond. There are plenty of articles and information on the 4C of a diamond. Spend some useful time in the library or internet and learn about diamonds. Who knows, you may become an expert in diamonds. 1. Prioritize the 4 characteristics There are much more about diamonds than just the 4Cs. But at the end of the day, the 4Cs are still the major factors influencing the quality and price of a diamond. Before you start prioritizing the 4Cs, you got to know what your girl actually likes about a diamond. If she like big one, go for a diamond with big carat weight but with poorer quality in terms of color, cut or clarity. If she likes the brilliance of a diamond and doesn’t mind the size, choose one with excellent cut and clarity. Whichever the case is, prioritizing the 4Cs will give you a better idea of what diamonds will suit her taste as well as your budget. 2. Do a price research Based on your list, you should have a rough estimate of the market price of the diamond you are looking for. If the price is out of your budget, try going for a grade lower than your expectation and you may eventually find one that suits you well. 3. Do some background research on the jewelry stores If you have been doing researching, you would have come across information on cubic zirconium diamonds. These synthetic diamonds are D-color graded, flawless and cut to perfection. In short, a CZ diamond is a ‘perfect’ diamond. It is brilliant, flawless and yet cheap. Their prices do not increase exponentially with their quality unlike diamonds. And there are also some natural diamonds which have undergone treatments to reduce its blemishes thus enhanced its appearance. It is still a low grade diamond and dishonest dealers may try to pass it off as a good graded diamond and sell you at a higher price. So, before you start swiping your hard-earned money away, do some research about the jeweler as well. Ask your family, relatives or friend who have purchased from the dealer. Online forum is a good place to ask around and there are plenty of sites that provide reviews on jewelry store online. Give the jewelry store a call, talk to their staffs and decide for yourself if you are comfortable with the store. 4. Always ask for a money back guarantee There are risks in very form of transactions, so do buying diamonds. Protect yourself and minimize any risks by making sure that the store has the complete details about their return policy. It should include information about the validity period, what to do if you wish to return your purchase and their address. As a rule of thumb, online stores should offer you no less than 21 days return policy. In fact, most of them have a return policy of 30 days. 5. Choose jewelers who provide grading reports Certified diamonds will come along with a grading report by reputable gemology organizations such as GIA or AGS. Some online jewelry stores certified their diamond by in-house gemologists and they may be using different grading standards from GIA or AGS, while others may not provide the grading reports. Diamonds from top online jewelry stores generally comes accompanied with a grading report. After you have purchased your diamond, you should get it appraised again with the grading report by a trained gemologist. The grading report will be very helpful in ascertaining whether the diamond you have bought is up to the specifications shown on the report.

About the author: Mr. P Sharma is the owner of the Diamonds and Diamond Jewellery (http://djewels.org), a website that offers reviews on online jewelry stores selling diamonds and diamond jewelry.

The State of Israel is unquestionably proud of its diamond Industry, one of the country’s leading and earliest exporters. The industry’s indomitable spirit reflects the unique determination that has helped to make the State of Israel the unique country that it is today. 

The Israeli Diamond Industry has an illustrious past whose foundations were laid in a beleaguered Land of Israel during the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.  At the time the winds of the Second World War were already blowing; many diamantaires fled from Belgium and other parts of Europe; some settled in places like the United States and Cuba. Others chose to come to the land that was then called Palestine.

Yehezkel Goldman, who was named an Israeli Diamond Industry Dignitary in 1994, began his career as a bruter in the Ophir factory on Tel Aviv’s Nahmani Street in 1941.  

Shlomo Vainstein had attempted to establish a factory in 1910, with little success. In 1940 he finally set up a factory in Netanya called “Mazal U’Bracha,” together with Baruch Friedberg. Despite the difficult conditions, the industry began to prosper: In 1940 there were only 5 factories, but by 1941 there were already 12.

The Mayor of Netanya, Oved Ben Ami, provided incentive to the fledgling diamond industry by providing land free of charge for diamond polishing factories. He gave the land and the factory owners provided the necessary equipment,” explains Goldman.

“Those were difficult times,” says Goldman. “In one case, The Irgun Resistance Group (IZL) proposed to a factory owner to stage a robbery so that the organization could use the diamonds to buy arms. The company was covered by insurance. In another instance the IZL robbed Barclay’s Bank on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv. The British promptly came to the factory’s offices to check for illegal activities.”

“One of the workers at the Ophir factory – Yehiel Tresner – was later arrested by the British and hanged for involvement in an illegal organization,” he adds.

“Workers had to pay a daily fee for their seat in the factories. And if a worker wanted to transfer to another factory, he had to receive authorization from the factory owner. Each worker was paid on a contracting basis according to the number of stones that he had cut or polished.”

Goldman established his company in 1951 and was granted sightholder status by the DTC (the Diamond Trading Company) in 1954, until 1992 when he closed his factory.

The industry underwent ups and downs: “There were various crises, for example in the mid-40’s and in the 80’s, but nevertheless the industry prospered.”

Despite the various obstacles and problems, Goldman looks back at those times with great nostalgia: “There was a feeling of brotherhood among the workers. There were soccer teams in the factories and we played against each other. In 1948, the diamond industry was declared essential so key workers were not called up for duty, but I did fight in the War of Independence.”

Otto Birnbach, one of the most veteran members of the Israeli Diamond Industry and also a Diamond Industry Dignitary, recalls how over the years the industry moved from Netanya to Tel Aviv and finally to Ramat Gan. “The Diamond Exchange was initially located at Tel Aviv’s Caf? Palatin and later moved to Ahuzat Bayit. How did the Diamond Exchange end up in Ramat Gan? The Mayor of Tel Aviv, at the time, Mayor Namir insisted that we pay a triple tax for owning a business, an industrial plant and an office. Ramat Gan’s Mayor Krinitzi agreed to charge only one tax. It was that simple.”  

He recalls that the first bank to finance the industry was Union Bank, headed by a Dutch immigrant named Ehrenfeld.

Birnbach was a member of the IZL, along with his lifelong friend, the late Moshe Schnitzer, and many other colleagues. He vividly recalls the stormy Altalena Affair and the fact that an Egyptian bomb fell on his factory , called Nova, on the very first day of the War of Independence on May 14, 1948.  The factory was completely demolished.

“After the War of Independence, I rebuilt the polishing factory and business flourished,” Birnbach says.”In 1947, the late Menachem Begin sent my brother, Max Birnbach, to the United States in order to raise funds for the resistance. He helped to raise funds in New York and also opened an office for the family diamond business.” Otto polished the stones here at the factory here in Bnei Brak and then sent them to his brother to be sold in New York.

“We were producing small stones at the time and large amounts were needed. We employed 250 workers at our factory,” Birnbach notes.

“I look back with pride at the development of the industry and see great changes. We started out as bruters and polishers. Now the Israeli Diamond Industry deals mainly in marketing of polished. Rough diamonds are sent for polishing to the Far East due to cheap labor.”

He continues: “I love diamonds. To me, each stone has a history, a special intrinsic value. There was a special fraternity within the industry, of comrades who followed a joint path for many, many years,” states Birnbach.

Looking to the future, Otto Birnbach summarizes: “I cannot envision a Jewish state without a diamond industry and I am confident that the industry will continue to prosper. I firmly believe “Am Yisrael Chai” – the Jewish nation thrives!”

Maurice Gl?ck was only a child when World War II broke out. His diamantaire father, Yehuda, had moved from Transylvania to Belgium in 1928 and was unable to evade the Nazi Occupation. Yehuda and his wife were taken to the death camps and little Maurice was left with a Christian family. Only Maurice’s father survived the camps. In 1950, Yehuda, who had married his wife’s sister, decided to move to Israel with his new wife and young son.

Yehuda opened a stone quarry near Rosh Haayin which eventually failed. He then returned to Belgium and only came back to live in Israel in 1970. Maurice began his diamond internship in Antwerp in 1965, and in 1967, the family opened a polishing plant in Ramle.

In 1967, Maurice’s cousin, Arie Efrat, a partner in the company, was mobilized during the Six Day War and Maurice stayed at the factory, which was declared essential to the economy. “Our company employed mostly new immigrants. We taught them bruting and polishing, giving them a new profession.”

Maurice adds: “During the Six Day War the diamond community in Antwerp rose to the occasion and sent large donations to Israel. My father gave the first donation of $20,000, a large amount of money at the time, and others followed his example.”

The diamond industry’s financial contribution to Israel didn’t stop there. Subsequently, during the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the Israeli government urgently appealed to the Israeli Diamond Industry for much needed funds. The President of the Israeli Diamond Exchange then, the late Moshe Schnitzer, organized an appeal and substantial sums were handed over.

Maurice notes that his father was a leading expert in large stones, sometimes up to 100 carats or more. During the seventies, Maurice travelled around the world, particularly to Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore, to sell the family firm’s output, which was quickly snapped up by wholesalers and a number of well-established jewelers. “Throughout the seventies there was a great deal of interest in large stones, sometimes seen as an investment, sometimes as a hedge against troubled times.”

He continues: “During the eighties we would also sell diamonds at private parties in the United States. People would buy unset diamonds directly from us. In the late seventies, the price for a one carat of D flawless diamond at the Israel Diamond Exchange would sell for $40,000. A four-room apartment in a good area in Tel Aviv at that time cost about the same. But within a short time the price per carat quickly dropped to $15,000 and even $10,000. Once the prices started dropping, customers held off until the prices dropped still further. The industry was in trouble.”

Maurice adds: “Up to 1981 we thought that normal economic rules did not apply to the diamond industry. We thought that diamonds would always maintain their value. But then reality set in.”

In 1989 Maurice started publishing lists of demands for the diamonds, called ‘Kesher Yahalom’ or Diamond-Link, an innovation in the diamond industry. Those lists subsequently evolved into the IDEX, the international diamond exchange online.

The Israeli Diamond Industry is indeed subject to ups and downs, and trends come and go. In the industry’s early years, only small stones were cut and polished in Israel. Then, until the eighties, large stones were popular and some of the biggest buyers came from the Far East. Thirty years later, the Israeli Diamond Industry no longer cuts and polishes small stones, but it again specializes in large stones. And once again, it is seeking new markets in the Far East.

Through it all, the Israeli Diamond Industry has always risen to the occasion and adapted itself to the necessary changes – much like the State of Israel.

Photographs courtesy of the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Museum