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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Diamond is the most adamant stone found on planet earth. This stone has a unique kind of magnetism, which makes it favorite among women. The word diamond itself makes the heart of a women beat faster. And this is the reason why markets are flooded with diamonds of different styles, colors and size. Go out shopping, and what will you see is huge variety of unique diamond engagement rings available in the market.

Though, we all are fond of diamonds, especially in the form of diamond engagement ring, diamond engagement ring platinum, three stone diamond engagement rings, vintage engagement rings, choosing the right diamond is always dicey. Many people lack the basic knowledge about diamond, and some times end up paying more for these rings.

What can be more amusing than gifting diamond solitaire engagement ring to your lover. But if you end up gifting the wrong stone, you will not be able to do justice to the gift. Therefore, if you are planning to gift a ring to your lover this engagement, do it so, but only after a thorough research on the diamond stone.

To start with, the thing which is the most important is the 4 C’s of diamond i.e. Color, Clarity, Carat and Cut. In reference to the color of diamond, people often carry notion that diamond are colorless. Rather, it would be appropriate to say that many people believe that diamonds come without colors, and if they get to see a colored diamond, they will not take it for diamond. That is the reason; they at the first go, ask for colorless diamond engagement rings. Diamonds are mostly rated as Colorless, Near Colorless, Faint Yellow, Light Yellow and Fancy, as per their quality.

Now, if we speak about the clarity of diamond, clarity refers to the purity of diamond. A diamond piece leading in clarity can also be referred as flawless diamond.

Diamond cut refers to the symmetry of diamond. Carat refers to the weight of the diamond. 1 carat diamond equals 100 points. And in the end, always remember to get your diamonds certified.

There is no harm in gifting a unique diamond engagement ring to your lover after a full research is done. Though, it is a time consuming process, it’s well known, that all is well that ends well. Diamond is something which people avoid selling, and it often passes from one generation to another. Therefore, take time, think back, and choose the one which will reflect your love through generations.

It is for sure; that if you follow the process of 4C’s you will definitely end up choosing a perfect piece for your lover. If you are still confused, there are many online jewelry stores which will help you choose the right diamond. Log on to some reputed online jewelry stores and go through numerous pages detailing about various diamond pieces. These days, online jewelry stores also help customize your diamond engagement rings. You can choose the stone and the band of your choice, and design your own diamond engagement ring.

So, buy diamond engagement rings from a certified online jewelry store. You can get the best diamond solitaire engagement ring, diamond engagement ring platinum, vintage diamond engagement ring and many more at affordable prices.

If you are not satisfied with the designs or stones used for the existing Diamond Studs you find out there, it is always possible to get your own customized Diamond Studs designed for you by the jeweler of your choice. The nice thing about customized Diamond Studs is that you can choose the base of the Diamond Studs yourself, then pick out which diamonds you want to use.

“What? Choose a diamond? But diamonds are all alike right?” That may be what is in your mind when you hear that having your Diamond Studs custom-made means you can pick out your own diamonds. Actually, diamonds are not generic, meaning one diamond may be very different from another diamond even if the eyes of a layman think they are exactly alike. That is why Diamond Studs that may look alike can actually be very different from one another.

There are four factors that determine the value of the diamonds in your Diamond Studs. These four factors are Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat. Clarity shows how pure your diamonds in your Diamond Studs are. Color is dictated by Mother Nature and is not influenced by human skills – this shows the natural body color of your diamonds. The Cut is what is determined by the skill of the artisan. A diamond in the hands of a novice will not have as good a Cut as a diamond which was designed by an experienced artisan. You should also remember that a diamond can only be cut by another diamond – that is how hard the diamonds in your Diamond Studs are. Lastly, Carat will determine the carat weight of your individual diamonds.

Among these four factors, the Cut is considered the most important because this will help the diamond show its best brilliance, sparkle and fire. That is why the most skilled jewelers can command pretty high prices for their customized Diamond Studs. Not everyone can churn out customized Diamond Studs that are unique, special and very attractive on a consistent basis. It helps that skilled jewelers really have an eye for making your Diamond Studs look great, regardless of the original shape of the diamonds. One wrong move by the artisan and your Diamond Studs may get wrecked beyond repair and beyond redemption as far as jeweler’s standards are concerned.

That is why your jeweler has to be able to gauge the value of the diamonds to be set in your Diamond Studs accurately. To do this right, independent gemological laboratories will calculate the value of your diamonds and issue a certification stating this. The diamond has to be of a good enough shape, and possess the fire and sparkle that the user will want to see. The fire and sparkle is what you might call the “brilliance” that sets apart high end Diamond Studs from the lower end Diamond Studs.