Diamond Education
Diamonds are thought to be first recognised in India from around the 4th Century BC and became the only source for them until 1725. In 1725 they were discovered in Brazil and 1870 in South Africa. Diamonds are found approximately 93 miles (150 kilometres) below the surface of earth, at a temperature of 1050 degrees celsius (2000 degree fahrenheit). These discoveries generated a mass increase in the diamond industry.
Throughout history natural diamonds are considered a unique and special gift for a loved one. Up until the 15th century leaders would be seen wearing them, as they were represented as strength. Diamonds are thought to be one of the toughest substances on the globe.
The classic is the white diamond, however they come in a wide range of colours such as, black, blue, green, pink, red, purple, orange and yellow. Some are natural and some can be treated to change colour, however there are risks. The process of the colour change is very complex as it involves super-heated, and highly pressurised carbon molecules located close to the Earth’s core. By adding minerals and elements, for example, nitrogen can form the hue yellow and boron will create a blue.
Understanding
the 4 C's
The 4 C’s are renowned in the jewellery industry known as, colour, clarity, cut and carat. It is summed up to value, and price the diamond. So when buying your diamond you should make sure you understand what they are by understanding the 4 C’s.
Colour
Diamonds come in a variety of colours like pink, greens, and blues, however in the white diamond if there is a presence of a yellow tint, it will lower the value of the diamond. The least amount of colour in a white diamond, will greater its value. In some white diamonds the colour can not be noticed without a professional magnification. The colour of a diamond is professionally measured on a scale in letters, universally used in the jewellery industry.
We believe at Dytham Jewellery Designers an ideal diamond for an engagement ring will be between the grades D and H.
Here is our guide
Clarity
Most diamonds have flaws, these are called inclusions. The fewer inclusions a diamond has, the higher the clarity grade. To describe the different grades they use acronyms so if your looking for a diamond and see these, this is what it means:
IF = Internally Flawless
VVSI = Very very slightly included
VSI = Very Slightly included
SI = Slightly included
I = Included
(Included can also be known as Pique - PK)
To maximise your budget we suggest you go for an 'eye clean' diamond, such as an SI or higher as you can only see the flaws under a microscope.
IF VVS1 - VVS2 VS1 - VS2 SI1 SI2 I1 - I3
What you see without magnification
IF VVS1 - VVS2 VS1 - VS2 SI1 SI2 I1 - I3
What you see with 10x magnification
The Cut
The cut of the diamond is an important factor of the overall beauty, as this is what makes the stone sparkle. Diamonds have the unique ability to utilise light efficiently. The cut is focused on the proportions of the diamond in opposed to the actual shape, for example the shape of the diamond would be pear, princess emerald and so on, however in grading the cut it evaluates the skill and the polishing of the diamond facets to a level of accuracy. The facets are the sides and the angles on the diamond, which allows light to transmit through which will give the effect of sparkling.
Carat
Not to be confused with a Karat of gold (which refers to the gold’s purity). Carat is the physical weight of the diamond, though people may assume it to be the size of the diamond. It is weighed very precisely to the hundredth. The unit is metric carats. Out of all of the 4 C’s the carat weight is the most objective. One carat equals to 0.2 grams (1/5 gram) and this can be divided into 100 points.
Did you know?
1. Diamonds were adopted from the Greek word 'agamas,' which translates to 'invincible' or 'indestructible.'
2. Ancient theories thought lightning bolts formed diamonds, while other theories claimed that diamonds were the tears of god.
3. It is thought the first use of a diamond engagement ring was back in 1477, when Archduke Maxmillian of Austria gave it to Mary of Burgundy. It featured a gold band with a ‘M’ spelled out in diamonds.
