My Pink Diamonds

De Beers was founded in South Africa in 1888 and today is the largest producer and seller of diamonds.  Almost from the beginning the De Beers company has had a strangle hold on the diamond industry and a huge advertising budget.  Diamonds are not as rare as the advertiser would have you to believe.  De Beers keeps a huge stockpile of diamonds and tightly controls supply.

De Beers started the very successful advertising campaign A Diamond Is Forever in 1947.  The Advertising Age magazine has voted this to be the most recognizable advertising line of the twentieth century.  This advertising campaign was designed to discourage diamonds owners from putting their old diamonds back into the market.  The success of this campaign turned diamond into the symbol of eternal love and dramatically increased demand for the gems.

The ability to create cubic zirconium happened in the 1950 but it was not until 1979 that it became economically feasible to mass-produce and use them as a diamond substitute.  Only a gemologist can tell the difference between a diamond created by nature and a diamond created in a laboratory.

There are several companies that are investing a lot of time and money in developing a laboratory-grown diamond process and are doing quite well.  Because of the diamonds optical, thermal, chemical, and electronic properties, laboratory-grown diamonds have a lot of potential to affect many industries and not just the Jewelry industry.

Gemesis is a company founded in 1996 and based in Sarasota, Fla., that is growing diamonds in high-pressure, high-temperature crystal growing chambers.  Each chamber starts with a tiny diamond crystal or diamond seed that is bathed in a molten solution of graphite and a metal-based catalyst at about 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit and 58,000 atmospheres of pressure.  The diamond begins to grow, molecule by molecule and in about three and a half days a gem-quality 2.8 carat rough diamond has been created.

A rough diamond of this size can create a diamond of about 1.5 carats that has been cut, polished, and is ready for mounting in a setting.  Naturally occurring colored diamonds will show color because of the trace amounts of impurities in them.  Replacing fewer than five atoms per 100,000 of carbon atoms in a diamond crystal lattice with nitrogen atoms gives a diamond with a yellow coloration or tint.  These diamonds sell for about $4,000 per carat, which is about one third of the cost of a mined diamond.

The company adopted the term Gemesis Cultured Diamond to distinguish its laboratory-grown diamonds from the mined diamond to assure that consumers were not being misled as to the nature of the product.  The first commercial production of gem quality diamonds, were made in 2002.

The company business strategy changed in 2005 from producing from offering individual loose, cut and polished diamonds to retailers to producing and selling only rough stones in lots to jewelry manufactures and designers similarly to the way in which diamond mines sell natural diamonds. 

The man-made diamonds made today are of a better quality than the natural ones.  A trained jeweler will be unable to determine a real one from a made-one unless he had some very expensive equipment.  Insist on a certification before purchasing a diamond for investment purposes.  It will tell you the stone’s carat weight, its color and clarity, and its flaws.  If the seller is unwilling to supply a certification with the diamond then he may not be telling the truth and you should find someone who will.  After all when you want to sell the diamond the new owner will want a certification from you.

Diamond is the perfect gemstone, if affordable; it is the ultimate gemstone for all occasions. Why do women crave for a diamond ring? 

Besides being beautiful, it is well proven that diamonds area harder than any other mineral – they represent the strongest natural substance in the world. 

The value and demand of a diamond has been known since ancient times. The Greeks called Diamond “adamas”, meaning invincible; they often honoured their women by putting a diamond ring on their finger. 

Diamond is a chemical compound that has several crystalline forms, in other words it is a polymorph. The closest substance to diamond is Granite, but nothing can surpass the hardness of a diamond. The kimberlite rock which is a form of an ingenious rock found especially in South Africa is composed of many minerals, among which many are diamonds. Diamonds are released only when these rocks erupt. They would then be transported by waterfalls and flowing streams until they eventually reached the sea where deposit would remain at the coast, many diamonds were found in this manner in the shores of South Africa. Otherwise diamonds can be found only deep down the thick shroud of the Earth. They can only surface to earth by way of a volcano eruption, which rarely occurs. 

According to reports the first diamonds were found in sediments or alluvial deposits. Many diamonds have also been found in the deep seas of Indian and Ohio areas which were carried by glaciers. Other popular regions where diamonds were found are India, Brazil, Russia and Australia. 

This priceless gemstone is known as the most valuable substance because of its density. It is a ‘forever’ gemstone for keeps. Therefore diamond rings are suited for special ceremonies such as weddings and engagements. A diamond ring is more than just a ring. It is a symbol of lifetime commitment and endless love, therefore a diamond ring is the ideal piece of jewellery to best express one’s love and devotion. 

Diamond rings are also great for those born in April, since it is the birthstone for that month.  Diamond rings are usually given for someone who means a lot to you because of its high value. 

When shopping for a diamond ring one should always look for the cut, clarity, colour and the carats of the diamond. There are many imitations of diamond rings in the market. Many vendors trick their customers by placing a substitute on the ring instead of the real diamond. 

No one would like to pay a high price to give a loved one a fake diamond ring. Therefore make sure your purchase all your jewellery from a trusted dealer. To avoid the bustle of high street shopping you can always check online for a selection of exclusive diamond rings, diamond wedding rings and diamond engagement rings to select the best match for your budget and taste. 

There are many sayings that go along with diamonds. ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ and ‘diamonds are forever’ are some of them. There is no doubt that diamonds are popular, with people all over the world flocking to buy these precious stones. But what is it about diamonds that give them such huge commercial appeal? Here is a list of some of the most famous diamonds in the world, and some of the lucky (or unlucky) people who have worn them.

The Cullinan Diamond:

The Cullinan Diamond is, at 3,106.75 carats, the largest diamond ever found. This diamond was found in the Gauteng region of South Africa, and is now kept with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. This spectacular gem was discovered in 1905 at the Premier mine in South Africa by Frederick Wells, a mine superintendent. While walking through the mine one day he noticed something gleaming on the side of the wall. What he originally thought was a massive piece of glass was actually a huge diamond.

Wells received $10,000 for his discovery. The diamond was named Cullinan after the owner of the mine, Sir Thomas Cullinan. The stone was cut by Joseph Asscher, who examined it for 6 months before determining how to divide it. He eventually cut it into 9 major and 96 smaller brilliant cut stones. The Great Star of Africa, or the Cullinan 1, is the largest cut diamond of the Cullinan, and the largest cut diamond in the world. It boasts 530.20 carats and is housed in the Tower of London.

The Blue Hope Diamond:

The Hope Diamond is one of the most spectacular diamonds in the world. But with its beauty comes a long history of legends and myths, one of them being that the diamond itself is cursed. According to legend, bad luck and death will befall anyone who touches the diamond. But whether you believe in the curse or not, the Hope Diamond has for centuries intrigued people by its unique beauty.

The diamond has had a rich history, starting with being owned by King Louis XIV, stolen during the French Revolution, sold for gambling money, and eventually donated to the Smithsonian Institution, where it still resides today.

The Regent:

Boasting 140.50 carats, the Regent has a reputation for being the most beautiful diamond in the world. It was discovered in India in 1698 and was acquired by Thomas Pitt, the Governor of Madras, who sent it to England to be cut. In 1717 the Regent purchased it from Pitt for the French Crown.

It adorned many of the rich and famous, including the band of Louis XV’s silver gilt crown, Louis XVI’s crown, the hilt of the First Consul’s sword, and on the crown at the coronation of Charles X, as well as during the Second Empire on the ‘Grecian diadem’ of the Empress Eugenie. Today it can be seen at the Louvre in Paris.

Darya-ye Noor:

The Darya-ye Noor, Persian for ‘Sea of Light’, is one of the largest and most beautiful diamonds in the world. It weighs a whopping 182 carats and is a rare pale pink colour, one of the rarest to be found on diamonds. At present, it forms part of the Iranian Crown Jewels, and is considered one of the oldest diamonds in the world.

The diamond was mined at the Golconda mines in Andhra Pradesh in India, where it became the possession of the mughal emperors. In 1739 Persia invaded India and sacked Delhi and came into possession of the Darya-ye Noor. The treasure he garnered was carried to Persia by Nader Shah, where the Darya-ye Noor has remained ever since.

The Tiffany Yellow Diamond:

The Tiffany Yellow Diamond is one of the largest fancy yellow diamonds in the world. When it was discovered in 1878 in Kimberley, South Africa, it weighed 287.42 carats. It was cut into a cushion shape of 128.54 carats with 90 facets to maximize its brilliance.

After its discovery it was purchased by famous New York jeweler Charles Tiffany. The gem was studied for a year before it was cut, reducing it from 287 carats to its current size. The gem was on loan from Tiffany and Co. to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C and was on display up until 23 September 2007. This beautiful and unique diamond was worn by only 2 women in its life, one of them being famous Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn.

The Dresden Diamond:

This classic diamond weighs 41 carats and probably came from India. Its exact history is unclear. The Dresden is a pear shaped diamond with a beautiful emerald-green colour.

The Sancy:

The Sancy is a beautiful 55 carat and is cut in a pear shape. This stone has been cut over five hundred years ago. According to legend, it was worn by Charles the Brave in the 1470’s. It was bought on the open market in 1570 by Signeur de Sancy, after who the diamond is named. The stone has belonged to the Astor family of London since 1906.

The Koh-i-noor:

This diamond has a long and controversial history. Legend has it that it was first acquired in 1304 from an Indian family who owned the stone for generations. It is also said that the stone’s history begins in 1526, while other conflicting reports state that the stone was mined near the Krishna River and given to an emperor in 1656. More factual evidence states that the diamond was first mined in India but then stolen in Delhi in 1739 and taken to Iran.

From Iran it was acquired by Afghans, who then lost it to Indian rulers. These Indian rulers can under British rule in 1849 and placed the diamond among the crown jewels. The Koh-i-noor’s first cut was a 191 carat irregular shaped gem with little fire, contrary to its name which means ‘mountain of light’. It was later recut to enhance brilliance and fire, reducing it to a 109 carat, shallow, oval brilliant cut.

The Shah Diamond:

This diamond originally stems from India and weighs 88.70 carats. It has the names of three monarchs engraved on it, including the Shah of Persia, after which it was named. Today it can be found in Kremlin in Moscow, where it has been since 1829 when it was given as a gift to Tsar Nicholas. It is partly polished along its cleavage planes.

The Nassak Diamond:

The Nassak Diamond first weighed over 90 carats. The diamond is named after the Temple of Shiva near Nassak. In 1818 the English looted the temple and in 1927 the stone was recut in New York. This diamond has been in private possession in the USA ever since. The stone has a rounded corner triangle shape.

Despite antique designs of diamond rings in the market that copy those that were created in the regency and Victorian period, the diamond ring did not really boom until a decade before the start of the 20th century. This is perhaps because only a few can actually afford to buy diamond rings for themselves. This rare gemstone is only reserved to the affluent especially to the members of the royal class.
But because of modern technology and the boom of diamond mining in India and in several parts of the world, supplies of diamond surged upwards, making this gem affordable to the middle class. Because of this, diamonds became very popular especially to women who still see it as a sign of wealth and class.
Discoveries of new mining fields in South America and South Africa, have also increased the world supply making it more accessible to the public. With such steady supply, jewelry makers are now able to make more designs that the masses can afford.
Although diamonds are placed in virtually every kind of jewelry, from necklaces to bracelets to earrings, it is the diamond ring that captures the imagination of most people. In fact, it has become through the years the symbol of eternal love between two people and has become one of the essentials in engagements and weddings.
Diamond rings are preferred during wedding ceremonies. People get excited more when seeing a diamond engagement ring compared to rings that use other gemstones. In fact, diamonds are even the favorites even after the wedding, bought as gifts for anniversaries and other special occasions.
Diamond rings can be made in different settings, gold, platinum, silver and titanium. Unlike other gemstones, whose color may clash for instance with some shades of gold, the diamond with its pure white color will look good with any setting. Perhaps one of the most engaging properties of the diamond is the fact that it symbolizes this innate purity in its color and brilliance.
Diamonds come in all sort of shapes and cuts. This is often one of the properties that people look for in their diamond rings. Diamonds are naturally found in oval or round shapes. Jewelers however cut them in different shapes and depending on the designs. Among the varieties of cuts that people have enjoyed through the years are the pear, the heart, the marquise, the emerald and the princess cut.