My Pink Diamonds

So, is it safe to buy diamonds online? Yes and no. It is only safe if you follow these essential and simple rules:

EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT DIAMONDS

This may sound like an obvious tip but it is very important to understand the differences between diamonds. All diamonds vary based on four characteristics that you should be aware of. They are commonly known as the 4 C’s:

CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONLINE RETAILER

Only buy from a reputable online retailer that only sells certified diamonds. The most common certifications are GIA and AGS. The certificate will ensure that you are getting the 4 Cs that the vendor advertised. You can research a certain online retailer’s reputation by looking at their reviews. For Canada, http://www.redflagdeals.com/deals/main.php/ratings/retailers/  provides an excellent source of reviews. Due to possible customs charges, outlandish shipping fees and possible legal warranties, it may be better to make the purchase from a retailer that is based in your country. It is also important to confirm that the vendor offers a 100% free 30 days return policy. That is the norm for good online retailers of certified diamonds. 

LAST MINUTE TIP

Finally, we always recommend making your purchase through a credit card. If you have problems with a retailer and have exhausted all possible recourses with the company, it may be possible to fall on your credit card company for assistance. For example, VISA and MasterCard both offer purchase and fraud protection for certain tiers of their credit cards. Consult your credit card issuer for actual terms of service and carefully read the insurance policies as some clauses exclude protection for jewelry.

Http://TheDiamondBuyingGuide.ca

Colour, when applied to white diamonds, is often misunderstood by people outside the diamond industry.

Most people think that all white diamonds are colourless. In fact, truly colourless diamonds are quite rare. The diamonds used most often in jewelry are nearly colourless with faint yellow or brown tints. These diamonds fall into the normal colour range.Within the normal colour range, the closer to colourless, the more desirable and valuable the diamond.

In the 1950’s, the GIA introduced the D-Z colour grading scale that is still the industry standard.

GIA Colour Grade ScaleD – F: ColourlessG – J: Near ColourlessK – M: Faint YellowN – R: Very Light YellowS – Z: Light Yellow

How is colour measured?Colour in white diamonds is most commonly measured by comparing the diamond to a set of ‘master stones’ of known colour. The highest ‘master stone’ is E-colour. Any diamond better than the E-colour master is rated D-colour.

Each colour grade is actually a narrow range of colors. There is no one exact colour for any GIA grade. So, an F-colour diamond can be a strong, average or weak F-colour. However, as long as the diamond is better than the G-colour master, it receives an F-colour grade.

For a Diamond colour chart please visit http://www.diamondswest.com

FluorescenceFluorescence is a unique effect that causes some diamonds to produce a glow (usually blue or yellow) when exposed to a strong ultraviolet light. Some prefer a diamond with some ‘blue fluorescence’ because it may make the diamond in the ‘near colourless’ or ‘faint yellow’ ranges look somewhat whiter.

In the ‘colourless’ range, fluorescence has no effect on colour, though it can cause the diamond to have a slightly milky appearance.

Why is a diamond’s colour grade important?The brilliant, fiery, sparkles of light that radiate from a high quality white diamond are unmatched by any other gem. The diamond acts like a prism, dividing light into spectral colors, which are then reflected as colour flashes, called fire. Any natural colour in the diamond filters the light, reducing its fire and brilliance.

The less colour in the diamond, the more colorful the fire, and the better the diamond’s colour grade. The better the colour grade, the more desirable and valuable the diamond.

About Loose DiamondsThe term loose diamonds is used to refer to diamonds that have been polished, but have not been set in jewelry. Loose diamonds come in many shapes, sizes, and qualities. Increasingly, people shopping for diamond engagement rings, and diamond rings for other occasions, purchase the diamond separately from the setting, or the ring.Purchasing Loose DiamondsThe reason why people choose to shop separately for loose diamonds with the intention of setting them in jewelry, is primarily price. Set diamond jewelry often comes with a big markup, and sometimes, the quality of the diamond is not as good as it could be. Shopping online for loose diamonds enables buyers to seek out the best possible stones at the best possible price. The internet is a good medium for the purchase of loose diamonds. If the diamonds are purchased from a reputable online dealer there is no reason to actually view the product with one’s own eyes. Shipping costs are also minimal (due to the weight). Once loose diamonds are purchased, they can be taken to a reputable jeweler in order to create a setting. Diamond engagement rings, as well as other types of jewelry, are harder to purchase online. Diamond rings need to be fitted especially for the wearer. The same goes for diamond stud earrings. Purchasing loose diamonds and then getting the setting separately also provides a sense of satisfaction from being more in control of the purchasing process, and it also inspires creativity.Loose Diamonds 4 Cs and ShapesWhen purchasing loose diamonds several aspects need to be taken into consideration. The first four are known as the four Cs of diamonds: Carat, cut, clarity, and weight. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond, whereby one carat equals 0.2 of a gram. Diamonds come in many sizes, and the size of the diamond is no guarantee for its quality or brightness. Cut is more readily associated with the quality or loose diamonds. Cut refers to the quality of workmanship that is put into the many facets (or faces) of the diamond. A better cut means more symmetry and more brilliance. Color refers to the natural color of the diamond. Diamonds are either various degrees of colorless, or else of a specific color, such as yellow, pink, and green. Loose diamonds often comes with imperfections or inclusions, and these affect the diamonds’ brilliance. This parameter is known as clarity. Then there is the shape. Loose diamonds are cut into all kinds of shapes. Examples include princess shaped diamonds, round shaped diamonds, marquise shaped diamonds, emerald shaped diamonds, oval shaped diamonds, and pear shaped diamonds.

Diamonds are very expensive, which is why anyone who buys a diamond wants to make sure they are getting best value diamonds for the money they spend. When you buy a diamond from a jeweler, whether it is a retail location or a wholesaler, it should be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.
The stones in GIA diamond rings have been analyzed and assessed by GIA, which is the world’s largest non-profit gemological research institute. This institute grades only loose diamonds and when you are satisfied that you have a best value diamond, then you can choose the setting for the ring.
There are many ways in which diamonds are analyzed to determine whether they are conflict or non-conflict diamonds. Conflict diamonds come from parts of the world where the sale of the diamonds is used to finance wars and acts of terrorism.
Such diamonds are not permitted to be imported into the US, Canada, and European countries. To make sure that such stones are best value diamonds in this regard, there is a process called the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is not an appraisal of the value of the diamond, as you find with GIA diamond rings and IGI appraisals. Instead it is a certificate attesting to the fact that the diamond you purchase has not been mined or bought from one of the countries on the list of those associated with blood diamonds.
This process lays down a minimum requirement for the shipping of diamonds all over the world and must accompany diamonds shipped into the country, especially from African countries. In this way, you know that you have best value diamonds in that no one has been harmed in the mining process and that the money from the sale will not be used for killing.
Appraisal of the diamonds is the best way to find if you have best value diamonds. GIA diamond rings and IGI appraisals look at four main features of the diamonds in order to assess its value. This is called the four C’s of diamond rating and each stone is assigned a letter grade according to the system.
The GIA actually instituted this system of rating that is now used internationally. The report you receive is very thorough and covers just about everything you want to know about the diamond you have purchased or are considering purchasing.
The four C’s of best value diamonds refer to the cut, clarity, carat and color of the diamond. Just because a diamond is white and shiny does not mean that it is of good quality because there may be imperfections in the stone that only a certified gemologist can discover.
Many people look at the carat of the diamond, which is its weight, but the other features are just as important. There are five main cuts of diamonds, for example, and if the cutter is a master at the trade, then cuts will be done to perfection. A poorly cut 2-carat diamond may not be as good a value for the money as a smaller size with a perfect cut.
The closer a diamond is to having no color whatsoever, the greater its value. Diamonds that are pale yellow in color are not the best value diamonds to buy because these have a lower rating on the scale. The most highly rated diamonds are those with the letter grades of D, E and F. However, there are also fancy diamonds which are very valuable showing colors of pink, green, blue and bright yellow. These are very rare and are therefore very expensive.

Consumer demand for rare colored diamonds has skyrocketed in recent years.  One of the reasons they have grown so popular, aside from being a smart investment strategy, is that they have been donned with greater and greater frequency by some of the world’s most famous celebrities.  With more and more celebrities walking down the red carpet wearing natural colored diamond jewelry, it was only a matter of time before the adoring masses took notice.While it’s difficult to pinpoint the start of the trend, most celebrity watchers agree that it started when singer Jennifer Lopez became engagement to actor Ben Affleck.  Back in 2002, Ben proposed to Jennifer with a stunning pink diamond ring weighing in at 6.1 carats.  The heart shaped pink diamond engagement ring was produced by famed jeweler, Harry Winston and sold for $1.2 million dollars.  While their relationship wasn’t destined to last, diamonds are indeed forever.  The ring was eventually re-acquired by Harry Winston, and it’s current status remains unknown.In 2004, famed football player David Beckham gave his wife Victoria a similar ring.  It was a gorgeous 10 carat pink diamond ring with matching earrings.  According to various tabloid publications and reports in the mainstream press, David had an extramarital affair with another woman and i an effort to redeem himself purchased the rare colored diamonds to symbolize his love for his wife.  A friend of the couple was quoted as saying “diamonds are forever, just like their marriage”.  It seems to have done the trick, as David and Victoria Beckham are a happily married couple to this day.Famous supermodel Heidi Klum has also been spotted recently wearing a large, fancy yellow diamond ring.  It was given to her by her husband and popular singer, Seal as a symbol of his love and devotion to his beloved wife.  While fancy yellow diamonds are abundant compared to canary yellow diamonds, there is no doubt that this ring holds a special place in Heidi’s heart.  These famous natural colored diamonds have become almost as popular as the celebrity couple themselves.