My Pink Diamonds

The cut of a diamond is the physical measurement and relative proportion of a polished diamond and is the most important characteristic in producing a diamond’s beauty. A single number does not define cut. Instead, it is a myriad of measurements, relative percentages, angles, finish, and performance of light within the diamond.

The brilliance and sparkle of a diamond is the result of the reflection and refraction of light within a diamond and is the cumulative effect of the many facets on the surface of the three-dimensional diamond shape. What makes judging cut difficult is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Different people perceive the beauty of a diamond differently in terms of what they perceive as beautiful.

In recent years, major diamond grading laboratories like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS) have established cut grades to help the consumer make better decisions for purchasing diamonds based on cut characteristics. However, the cut grading systems are different from each other and constantly changing. As a result, there is no single official cut grade but the current systems are a giant leap ahead of the past with no cut grades.

The quality of the cut is most visible in terms of how light performs in a diamond to produce Brightness, Fire, and Scintillation.

Brightness is the visual effect of all the internal and external reflections of white light. This brightness (also known as brilliance) results primarily from the angles of the facets and the relative size of the top facet called the table.

Fire is the visual effect of rainbow colored flashes of light caused by the separation of white light into various colors when the diamond acts as a prism.

Scintillation is the visual effect of sparkle and patterns of light and darkness. Sparkle is the points of light that flash as the diamond, the light source or the observer moves. The arrangement and contrast between the bright and dark areas is important to what the eye perceives as beautiful. An all-bright diamond or an all-dark diamond is less attractive than a diamond with a balanced, symmetrical and contrasting pattern of reflection.

Some of the more important diamond measurements influencing the cut grade are depth percentage, table percentage, crown angle, and pavilion angle. The initial cut grade research focused on round brilliant diamond shapes but the grading laboratories are slowly introducing cut grades for the fancy shapes like the princess, emerald, oval, radiant, cushion and others. Each diamond shape has its own set of cut parameters that produce the optimal light performance and beauty for that particular diamond shape.

If the cut of the diamond is the key to its beauty, why would anyone purchase a diamond without great cut? Probably the main reason is lack of knowledge by the consumer. Until recent years, it has been difficult for the consumer to assess the cut of the diamond because jewelers focused on color, clarity and carat weight. The jeweler used the bright lights in the showroom to mask the light performance of the diamond. As the diamond shopper becomes more aware of what constitutes cut and has access to the GIA or AGS cut grades on the diamond grading reports, they will be able to filter out the average and poor cut diamonds in their purchase decisions.

Sometimes budget is a factor in purchasing something less than the best cut. However, cut is typically a real bargain since there is little visual difference between the top echelons of diamond cut and the price difference between average and exceptional cut is often minimal. Perhaps the real cost of getting better cut in a diamond, is the time and effort to learn about cut and to find a retailer who can provide diamonds with exceptional cut at reasonable prices.

Once a diamond shopper has determined what shape of diamond they want to purchase, they need to research what cut parameters contribute to desirable appearance. Some diamond shoppers fall into a trap of narrowly defining their acceptable range for every diamond measurement, not realizing that the beauty of the diamond results from the interrelationships of all the facets. Simply picking the middle of the range for each parameter can lead to a mediocre result. The cut grades are an attempt to rate how a combination of factors work together in the diamond.

Regardless of the cut grade systems today or in the future, only the diamond shopper can determine what is most appealing to their eye. Cut is critical to the beauty of the diamond so making the best diamond purchase decision means understanding the importance of cut and finding that special diamond that is beautiful to behold.

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.

It’s an important time in your life when you get engaged but don’t let emotion overwhelm your shopping savvy when you purchase a diamond engagement ring.
Diamonds are valued on:
Color – the purer and whiter the more valued
Clarity – the transparency of the stone and any inclusions (visible flaws)
Cut – how well cut the diamond is (not the shape)
Carat – how much the diamond weighs
Color can be manipulated in several ways. The diamond is shown under a colored light that offsets any yellowness in the stone or is shown against a black cloth backdrop instead of white. The setting of the stone can influence the perception of the color. A white gold or platinum setting contrasts with a yellowish diamond making the yellow cast more obvious, while a yellow gold setting doesn’t make the yellow color as obvious. None of these methods are dishonest as long as the seller states the actual color grade.
However some dishonest sellers misstate the color grade intentionally or enhance it. Yellowish diamonds can be made to look whiter by touching the side of the diamond with indelible purple ink which neutralizes yellow. The diamond can also be painted to neutralize the yellow. The “paint” isn’t at all obvious, can’t be washed off and may take months of cleaning before it wears off.
All natural diamonds have some flaws. The diamond can be set to hide an obvious flaw on the edge of the diamond, the prong of the setting hiding the flaw. If you’re buying a one or more carat diamond in your engagement ring it should be examined unset. Diamonds can have a crack or fissure filled thereby concealing it. Sometimes an inclusion can be lasered out. These techniques are not unethical as long as the seller discloses they’ve been used.
The weight of the diamond is measured in carats and increases exponentially. In other words a two carat diamond with similar clarity, color, and cut, will cost much more than twice the price of a one carat diamond. Some diamonds are cut to leave a bit of unpolished area on the girdle to make sure the diamonds reaches that important one carat weight. A .95 carat diamond price per carat cost is much less than a 1.00 carat diamond price per carat cost.
A three carat diamond engagement ring can vary tremendously in value depending on how many diamonds make up the three carats. A two carat center stone offset by two 1/2 carat diamonds would be costlier than a ring with a one carat center stone offset by four 1/2 carat stones, even though both rings have three carats of diamonds.
Diamonds that are two carats don’t look twice as big as a one carat stone. The increase in perceived size is only about 50%. A word of warning: Be leery when someone says a diamond spreads 1.5 carats. That doesn’t mean it weighs 1.5 carats, just that it looks the same size as a 1.5 carat diamond when viewed from above. That can be achieved by cutting the diamond broader but shallower.
Cut is one of the more important factors. A badly cut diamond loses its brilliance and sparkle compared to a well cut diamond. A round brilliant cut diamond is about half the size of that same diamond in the rough, or uncut. Some diamond cutters will try to eke out two one carat stones out of a rough diamond crystal by sacrificing the quality of the cut.
The best way to know that you’re getting what you’re paying for when purchasing your UK diamond engagement ring is to purchase from a reliable dealer that provides a diamond grading report from an independent gemstone laboratory.

The world’s most famous diamonds are its largest diamonds. At staggering weights up to thousands of carats, these diamonds have been cut, re-shaped and sold many times, contributing to their rich, interesting histories. Despite diamond’s natural, clear brilliance, some of these stones have a dark side.

Diamonds are beautiful jewels and are used in many types of jewelry from diamond necklaces to diamond rings to diamond watches. They are becoming more and more popular with both men and women due to the fact that they do not have to be too flashy. Both men and women continually look for new ways to use diamonds. Diamonds are not a rarity by any means. They are very easy to find and purchase.

The diamond watch is becoming more and more popular. They have become less expensive. It is also easier for consumers to find diamond watches. Diamond watches are something that both men and women can wear. The diamond watches are made in many sizes, shapes and styles. The prices of diamond watches vary just about as much as the styles do.

There are diamond watches that can be worn by women out on the track. These diamond watches are a way of showing that women can wear the diamond watches even when they are active. This type of diamond watch functions just like any other sport watch, but it has the diamonds and looks a bit nicer than the typical sport watch.

Women still wear the classic style of diamond watch. This type of diamond watch is typically worn for a nice evening out on the town. Some of the popular brands that make the classic style of diamond watch include Rolex, Seiko, Citizen, Omega, Bulova, and Cartier.

Men are sporting diamond watches more and more. The diamond watch for men is distinguished and beautiful at the same time. Many of the same dealers that make women’s’ diamond watches also make men’s diamond watches. So men’s diamond watches are just as readily available as women’s diamond watches. The dealers do not make men’s diamond watches to look the same as women’s diamond watches, though. The men’s diamond watch is larger and more masculine looking. They look more powerful looking than a woman’s diamond watch.

When purchasing a diamond watch it is important to know what you are getting. You want to know the quality of the diamonds in the diamond watch you are purchasing. Price and quality do not always match when it comes to diamond watches. Purchasing a more expensive diamond watch does not necessarily mean that you are purchasing high quality diamonds. Instead of looking at the price of diamond watches, be sure to purchase your diamond watch through a reputable dealer.

Whether you are a man or a woman you can find a diamond watch to fit your personality and lifestyle. A diamond watch is sure to be in style as long as man continues to exist. Diamond watches step a wardrobe up a notch from ho hum to ooh nice. It does not matter how much money you make, you can find a diamond watch from a reputable dealer that will fit into your budget. Go out and shop for your diamond watch. Watch and see for your self how a diamond watch can enhance your wardrobe step up the excitement in your life.

A Diamond is a precious stone. As its lattice is extremely rigid, so it can only be contaminated by a few impurities. Diamond Rings are great as engagement Rings and Wedding Bands. They have a definite beauty of their own, and despite being expensive, they are the most preferred gemstone for rings. Diamond rings are a symbol of love. Diamonds look best when they are set in yellow gold, white gold and platinum. Even though Rubies, Sapphire, Emeralds and other precious stones are available in the market yet Diamonds have a special place in everyone’s heart. This is attributable to their purity and optical dispersion factors. They are simply irresistible and every girl yearns for one. CARAT: A carat is the universal measure of a diamonds weight and not size for a diamond can have the same weight but different sizing. 1 carat is the equivalent of 100 points and weighs 200 milligrams. Because smaller diamonds are much more numerous, a 1 carat diamond will cost well over twice that of a half carat diamond when all the characteristics are the same. Since the value of a diamond is determined by its rarity, larger stones are generally more valuable than smaller ones as they are uncovered less frequently. When choosing your diamond consider all 4 C’s, carat, clarity, colour and cut. Rank their importance to you and consider your budget. CLARITY: Inclusions in the form of fractures or minerals occur naturally in the earth and are measured on a scale of perfection, known as clarity. The greater a diamonds clarity the rarer and more valuable it is. The clarity grades as defined by the GIA are generally accepted as the norm throughout the world. Diamond Specialist only stock diamonds with no inclusions visible to the naked eye so you can be assured that the diamond you get is of exceptional clarity. Absolutely clear diamonds with no inclusions whatsoever are extremely rare and the most sought after of all diamonds. The GIA use a detailed system of rules and standards to summarize the number, location, size and type of inclusions that occur in diamonds. Most leading diamond retailers will not stock diamonds with a clarity level of SI2 or less as this is the minimum that the naked eye cannot see. COLOUR: Though diamonds come in many different colours, white is still the most popular. Colour is very important as it is the first thing that one sees without having any knowledge on what constitutes a great diamond. Truly colourless diamonds are the rarest and are treasured for their brilliance and shine. The GIA has a system of grading colour just like clarity and cut. H – J graded diamonds are the most common colours one finds in the market and usually have a slight yellow tint. G – F graded diamonds are considered near colourless and are considered of high quality. D – E graded diamonds are classified colourless and are very rare. Being the rarest they are also accepted as the most beautiful of diamonds. CUT: The shape and proportion of a diamond is vital in determining stones brilliance. The better the cut the more valuable a diamond becomes for it gives off more light. Though there are many different types of shapes the round brilliant cut is still the most popular choice and in the finest ideally cut diamonds a visual phenomenon called Hearts and Arrows appears when viewed in a gemscope. Nobody can really resist such beautiful pieces of stone. However, they are quite expensive and you need not only buy solitaires. There is also a variety of options in smaller diamonds set in a variety of designs in beautiful rings. For beautiful diamond rings, simply log on to jewellery.homeshop18.com

An engagement or wedding ring is possibly the finest piece of jewelry you’ll ever buy in your life. And with good reason too, a wedding is the most important occasion of your life. What better than a sparkling diamond ring to seal the covenant of love and to pledge togetherness for eternity!

As you attempt to pick the finest diamond ring to grace the occasion, you may be confused by the wide variety of choices in colors, styles, stones and shapes. Follow certain basic guidelines, some of which are commonly applicable for all diamond jewelry, and others specific to the occasion.

Decide on the Budget:

Don’t we all know how easy it is to exceed the budget while shopping for anything. Diamond ring shopping is no different, and here there is also the added pressure of getting a very expensive ring to show how much you love someone.

But remember that the price tag in no way represents the love you have in your heart. Do not succumb to external pressures as you firmly decide on the budget that you can afford. Buy the high end diamond ring within your budget. Spend the amount that you are comfortable spending.

Of course, if you want the rarest, most precious and most expensive, by all means go for it. The key to deciding on the budget is how much you can afford to spend.

Engagement Ring Style:

You are going to be faced with a mind boggling variety of choices in diamond jewelry. Platinum or gold? Traditional or modern? Chunky and flashy or elegant and classy? It is much easier for a man to pick just the right diamond engagement ring, if he has a fair idea about the kind of jewelry his sweetheart wears on a daily basis.

If she likes silver, white gold or platinum jewelry with intricate designs, you may want to select a platinum engagement ring with filigree. Platinum is the top pick among romantics at heart because it’s a pure metal, as they know their love is. If she favors gold pieces, pick a diamond ring set in gold. The classic look of gold makes it a popular choice. White gold is also a well-liked and more affordable alternative. If you are still undecided, it may be worthwhile asking for the opinion of a close friend or family member. She and her best friend may have spent hours discussing secret dreams about engagement rings and wedding attire.

A Diamond is All Bling:

A huge chunk of cost of a diamond ring is the stone. A sensible diamond buyer should know about the cut, clarity, carat and color before making the purchase. Two diamonds may look very similar, yet have remarkably different costs.

Shape of the Diamond:

The most popular engagement ring is the classic, round diamond solitaire. But that’s just the beginning in diamond ring choices. Always look at what really sparkles and stands out. It is possible to create newer cuts in diamonds with intricate refraction patterns. There are also novel diamond shapes like hearts, which may be the ideal choice for you.

One final tip is to buy that particular piece of diamond jewelry that makes you happy. As you embark on a life long journey of togetherness, what is more precious than even a diamond ring is the love and happiness in your hearts.

Its time to get the diamond ring, choose wisely because this will be the ring that you will wear for the rest of your life, choose a style that is timeless. First, the diamond shape you choose can help make your ring look like it’s worth a lot more than you really paid. When choosing the setting it depends on many different factors, find a setting that fits your personality. The quality of the diamond you choose is also important if you want an affordable engagement ring. The metal you choose will be very important.

When the experts talk about color of the stone they are referring to the yellowness of the stone, this is ranked on the GIA scale. It is very important than ever to consider quality when shopping for a diamond. The most popular style now is the tension setting, where the stone is held by pressure provided by the surrounding titanium.

Just make sure the cut isn’t obviously too shallow or deep. A diamonds cut can also affect its durability. The way the stone is cut will determine how much light is reflected in and out of the diamond, which is what makes it sparkle.

When you see rings with three stones it signifies the eternity of your relationship. The three stone diamond rings is normally given as engagement rings but it is now becoming popular to give them and engagement rings. The three stones in a diamond rings signifies your marriage and your relationship. The three stones in three stone diamond rings commemorate the eternity of your relationship. More men are wearing diamonds and men’s diamond rings are more in style now than they’ve ever been.

The measurement of diamonds is calculated in carats. A carat in a diamond is composed of many areas called points. Diamond carat is one of those popular “c’s” to consider when evaluating a diamond, and it’s a term used to describe how much the diamond weighs. A single diamond carat is equal to the weight of 200 milligrams. Today, few fine diamonds over one carat are sold without a diamond grading report (or certificate, as they are also called) from a respected laboratory.

There are many different shapes of diamonds, one of the most popular shapes are the round cut, solitaire cut, square cut, round produces the greatest brilliance when the light shines off of them. When the light reflects off of the diamond this is commonly referred to as brilliance. The diamond may have the perfect clarity and color, but its beauty can still be negatively affected if the cut is not properly made. There are many factors that is associated with the brilliance of a diamond, width, depth, and color.

Platinum rings are becoming very popular and many people are choosing it over gold. Platinum costs more than other metals but it lasts longer and has a brilliance all its own. Platinum rings are popular because of both their beauty and durability. Platinum is much stronger and heavier than gold.

To prove your diamond is a real diamond a certification is usually provided to prove the stone is authentic. If the diamond has no certificate there is no way of showing that the diamond is authentic and of quality.

There is one thing that many men around have in common regardless of the many visible differences that they may have. They are generally the ones that are at one point in time or another will be shopping through the vast array of diamond rings to find the perfect one for their partner. There are some things that they should keep in mind when they are making the selection to ensure that the piece the piece they select is of great quality. When it comes to buying diamond rings, men need to remember to take the 4 c’s into consideration when doing so.  This term refers to major key things regarding the diamond that is in the ring itself, the carat, cut, clarity, and color are the 4 c’s necessary to make an informed purchase that will make the woman in your life thrilled.What Are The 4 C’s ? 1. Carat is a word that jewellers use in regards to size. Some people believe that the size of the ring is very important, if so then the number that is represented by carats will be very important when it comes to which one you select. This does not always mean that this ring will be the most beautiful. Sometimes the smaller diamond rings appear to be much nicer to look at because of the high quality of workmanship that went into the cut of it. 2. The way that the diamonds are cut is often considered the most important thing that is done to them to make them look the absolute best that they can. The way that the person cuts the ring can make all the difference in the world in how the diamond will appear when placed in the setting. The quality of the cut is highly visible in the way that diamond rings sparkle and catch a person’s eye when captured by the light. People that cut diamonds are highly skilled as they know how important it is to ensure that the diamond looks exceptional when the crafting is complete. 3. The next c would be referring to the color of the diamond that is being looked at. Diamonds are not just white and can come in a variety of colors. The color of diamond rings is something else that jeweller’s rate when it comes time to pricing them. The less color that the diamond has, the higher the price will be is the general rule of thumb. This is something that some of jeweller’s have a hard time determining, and is something that many people don’t pay too much attention too as they generally pick diamond rings out by the way that they catch their eyes. 4. Lastly, the final c is the one that stands for clarity. Clarity is the way that jeweller’s judge the quality of diamonds in regards to flaws within them. There are very few diamonds that are absolutely flawless, but there are many that can be bought that the flaws are not visible to naked eye. The setting that you find the diamond ring you like in is almost as important as the diamond itself when it comes to making your mate happy. Take into consideration the type of person that they are when you are out shopping for diamond rings. Some women love the older, more vintage looking styles, while others are more apt to like the look of a plain solitaire type of ring.  There are so many options that are available when looking at diamond rings that there is bound to be something out there that will jump out and scream her name. Take some time to look around and there will be no doubt that she will love the choice that you make.

A diamond acts like a prism whereby light can be divided into a spectrum of colours.* A colourless diamond, allows more light to pass through it than a coloured diamond, these colourless diamonds reflect the light as colourful flashes called ‘fire’. The less colour in a diamond the more colourful the fire and hence the better the diamond grade.

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Diamond Colour

A diamond acts like a prism whereby light can be divided into a spectrum of colours.

A colourless diamond, allows more light to pass through it than a coloured diamond, these colourless diamonds reflect the light as colourful flashes called ‘fire’.

The less colour in a diamond the more colourful the fire and hence the better the diamond grade.

Colour in a diamond acts as a filter and reduces the range of colour exuded.

The perfect diamond is actually colourless.

The less colour (yellow) a diamond permeates the more rare and valuable it actually is.

A letter grade is given to a diamond to describe the subtle tones of colour in the stone.

D is perfectly colourless and therefore the most rare and expensive.

As you progress from D to Z on the alphabet colour scale, the level of colour increases with traces of a yellowish or brownish colour.

Vibrant colours such as pink, red, blue and green are constantly being discovered, but due to their rarity are incredibly expensive.

These colours do not follow the normal colour scale and are categorised separately.

At GoldeNet Australia you will only find the finest diamonds, therefore we do not offer diamonds that have been graded below M.

Which Colour Grade Should I Choose? Diamonds graded D through F are naturally the most valuable and desirable because of their rarity. The rarity and value of these diamonds are reflected in their price.

This does not mean that diamonds graded below F are not considered to be very attractive.

Diamonds graded G through I show virtually no colour visible to the untrained eye.

Diamonds graded J through M show an extremely faint trace of yellow, however this faint hint of colour can be minimised by the careful selection of the right jewellery setting on which to mount your diamond.

D, E, F = For the purest diamond, diamonds graded D-F are superb diamonds and are extremely expensive.

G, H, I, J = For excellent value in a diamond with no noticeable colour to the untrained eye.

Nearly colourless diamonds with noticeable colour when compared to higher grade diamonds. These are high quality and are excellent value.

K, L, M = Faint yellow diamonds.

N, O, P, Q, R = Very light yellow diamonds.

GoldeNet Australia does not offer these diamonds.

S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z = Light yellow diamonds. GoldeNet Australia does not offer these diamonds.

Diamond Cut

The cut of a diamond is one of the most important diamond characteristic as it provides the diamond with its unique sparkle and brilliance as the cut allows the maximum amount of light to enter and leave the diamond.

Of the Four Cs, the cut is the only value factor that is a result of human skill.

It refers to the angles and proportion of a diamond, as well as its polish and precision of faceting. Often the cut of a diamond is mistakenly referred to as the shape (round, pear, oval, etc.) of the stone.

Well-cut diamonds can reflect light like a mirror from one facet to another and disperse and reflect this light through the top of the stone.

A well-cut diamond will be symmetrically round, proper depth and width and have uniformity of the facets.

These features will result in optimal radiance.

On a classic round brilliant-cut diamond, for example, 57 or 58 facets must be precisely aligned so light will enter the diamond and reflect back through the large top facet, or table of the diamond. Diamonds that are cut either too deep or too shallow can lose light through the sides and bottom and will be less brilliant, and ultimately of less value.

The universal cut grading scale, as defined by the American Gemologist Society Laboratories (AGSL), is outlined below. Currently, only round diamonds are graded.

GoldeNet Australia does not carry any diamonds below the cut grade of ‘Good’.

IDEAL CUT: Represents roughly the top 3% of diamond quality based on cut.

Perfectly proportioned with the highest grade of polish and symmetry.

This grade of diamond reflects virtually all light that enters it.

They are the most brilliant, rare and expensive diamonds.

EXCELLENT CUT: Represents roughly the top 8% of diamond quality based on cut.

Proportioned to fit strict requirements for table and depth percentage.

This grade of diamond reflects almost all light but less than the ideal cut.

They are still quite rare and very expensive.

VERY GOOD CUT: Represents roughly the top 15% of diamond quality based on cut.

Proportioned to reflect much of the light that enters.

This is a high quality and moderately priced diamond.

GOOD CUT: Represents roughly the top 25% of diamond quality based on cut.

Proportioned to reflect most light that enters.

These are considerable value, quality diamonds.

FAIR CUT: Represents roughly the top 35% of diamond quality based on cut.

Disproportioned but allows some light to be reflected.

POOR CUT: This includes all diamonds that do not meet the proportion standards of a fair cut. Disproportioned so that most light entering is lost out of its sides and bottom.

Important characteristics of a diamond cut are described below. Some diamond cutters will compromise on the cut of the diamond in an attempt to optimise the diamond’s weight (carat).

This can result is a larger diamond with a duller appearance.

If all Cs are equal (cut, carat, colour and clarity), there can be as much as a 50% variation in the cost of a diamond if the cut is of poor quality.

TABLE SIZE %: The table length relative to the diameter of the diamond.

A table that is too large or too small will reduce the overall dispersion of a diamonds brilliance.

CROWN ANGLE: Angle between bezel facets and girdle.

Crown % is a measurement that relates to the depth of the crown to the diamonds overall depth.

GIRDLE THICKNESS: Ranges from extremely thin to extremely thick (assessed visually).

Extremely thin or extremely thick girdles are less desirable than more moderate girdles.

DEPTH %: Measurement of the distance from the table to the culet (bottom-most point). A depth that is too shallow or too deep will allow light to escape through the bottom of the stone, reducing the stones overall fire and brilliance. CULET SIZE: Ranges from pointed to extremely large (assessed visually). Unless the culet is abnormally large, it generally has no impact on the value of a diamond.

SYMMETRY: Refers to the overall uniformity of the cut of a diamond and is graded poor to excellent.

Symmetry is based on the diamonds proportions, the relation of one facet to another. A diamond with good symmetry can be more attractive than a less symmetrical stone.

Stones with poor symmetry can actually appear off-centred.

POLISH: The overall quality and uniformity of the polish of a diamond. It is graded poor to excellent based on the final finish applied to the facets and facet junctures by the cutter. Well-polished diamonds permit maximum passage of light and prevent potentially streaky surfaces.

Argye mine located in the Kimberley region in the far north east of Western Australia. Owned by Rio Tinto, this mine is the world’s largest single producer of volume of diamonds. However, due to low proportion of gem quality diamonds it is not the value leader. It does produce 90-95% of the world’s supply of pink diamonds.  Diavik is also owned by Rio Tinto, located in Canada it is a very large mine.  It is located north of Yellowknife and south of the Artic Circle on an island. The island is connected by an ice road. It is also an important part of the regions economy employing more than 700 people and producing more than 8 million carats annually. Ekati diamond mine is owned by BHP Billiton and located south of the artic circle in the Northwest Territories of Canada.  The Ekati is Canada’s first operational diamond mine.   Diamonds mined here are sold under the Aurias trade name  Authenticity is verified through Canada Mark service. CanadaMark service is also owned by BHP Billiton Diamonds, Inc. Baken diamond mine is located along the lower Orange River in South Africa. It is owned and operated by Trans Hex. The average size stone for 2004 was 1.29 carats.  In 2004, this mine produced a 78.9 carat D color flawless diamond that sold for more than 1.8 million dollars (US), as well as a 27.67 pink diamond that was sold for over 1 million US dollars. Merlin is the second of only two diamond mines in Australia. No longer operating it was owned by Rio Tinto and sold to Striker Resources, who has explored the possibilities of reopening the mine.  Orapa is the world’s largest diamond mine.  It us located 240 Km west of Francistown. The mine is owned by “Debswana” which is a partnership between DeBeers and the government of Botswana. This mine operates 7 days a week. It maintains pre primary and primary schools for its employee’s children.  There is also a 100 bed hospital and game park. This mine began production in 1971 and is the oldest mine owned by the Debswana Company. The Premier mine located in Cullinan, South Africa produced the largest gem diamond ever in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed 3,106.75 carats. This mine also produced the Golden Jubilee diamond which weighed 545.67 carats. This mine is owned by the De Beers Company and was renamed The Cullinan Diamond Mine in 2003 in celebration of its centennial.