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DIAMONDS
The
word alone conjures up a thousand images: rare, precious, desirable,
beautiful, sparkling tokens of love. Created deep within the core
of the earth more than 3 billion years ago and brought to the surface
by volcanic eruption, most of the diamonds sparkling on fingers
today are more than 100 million years old!
Even
before these magnificent creations of nature were mined in profusion
toward the end of the 19th century, they were a source of fascination
and value to early man. The Romans thought diamonds were splinters
from falling stars, while the Greeks regarded the sparkling gems
as tears of the gods. It is a derivation of the Greek word "adamas,"
meaning unconquerable, that gave the diamond its name.
Rare
and fascinating, mysterious and magical, the diamond has ignited
romantic passion throughout history.
The
diamond claimed its place as the primary token of love toward the
end of the 15th century, when Austrian Archduke Maximilian gave
the first diamond engagement ring to his betrothed. It was placed
on the fourth finger of her left hand, because that finger was believed
to course with the vein of love that passed directly to the heart.
Five centuries later, the diamond remains one of the most luxurious
and desirable gifts for any romantic and celebratory occasion, a
gem whose purity and brilliance symbolizes lasting love.
WHAT
MAKES A DIAMOND SPECIAL?
Beauty
— The colorless beauty and inner fire of
the diamond has made this precious gem prized for centuries. Each
stone's complex characteristics cannot be duplicated, and no two
diamonds can ever be the same. Each stone, like its owner, is
endowed with a personality and character uniquely its own.
Durability
— A diamond is the hardest substance known
to man, making it resistant to deterioration. When cared for properly,
diamond jewelry can be worn every day and passed on as an heirloom
to the next generation.
Purity
— Although new resources for diamonds are
being explored and discovered, the supply of these gems remains
limited. This is understandable once you learn that more than
250 tons of ore need to be blasted, crushed and processed to yield
just one carat of rough diamond. Further, only 20 percent of all
rough diamonds are suitable for gem cutting.
Enduring
Value — Like many precious products,
diamond prices fluctuate. But it is important to know that these
sparkling gemstones still retain value after years of being worn
and enjoyed.
HOW TO BUY
A DIAMOND
There
are four factors that determine the value of a diamond, collectively
known as the Four C's. The combination of the Four C's
determines each diamond's value. Master these important facts, and
you will be prepared to make your purchase.
CARAT:
This word for the measurement of a diamond's weight
is derived from the carob seeds that were used to balance scales
in ancient times. A carat is equal to 200 milligrams, and there
are 142 carats to an ounce. Carats are further divided into points.
There are 100 points in a carat. A half-carat diamond may be referred
to as a 50-point stone (about 100 milligrams). Because large diamonds
are rare, they generally have a greater value per carat.
COLOR:
Diamonds come in every color of the spectrum,
but the most popular gems are colorless. Truly colorless, icy-white
diamonds are extremely rare and therefore the most costly. Stones
are graded by color and given designations dependent on how far
they deviate from the purest white. Colorless stones are graded
D. Color grading continues down through the alphabet, with each
letter designating a yellower tint. The best way to see the true
color of a diamond is by looking at it against a white surface.
Although the great majority of diamonds come in shades of white,
the gems also come in a spectrum of majestic colors, from red
and canary yellow to blue, green and brown. These colorful diamonds,
known as fancies, are valued for their depth of color, just as
white diamonds are valued for their lack of color.
CLARITY:
A diamond's clarity is affected by any external
irregularities and internal imperfections created by nature when
the diamond was formed. Imperfections such as spots or lines are
called inclusions. Although these marks make each stone unique,
the fewer the inclusions, the more valuable the stone. Inclusions
can interfere with the passage of light through the stone, diminishing
the sparkle and value of the diamond. According to the quality
analysis system of the Gemological Institute of America, clarity
is graded on a scale ranging from flawless (FL or IF) to imperfect
(I). To be graded flawless, a diamond must have no inclusions
visible to a trained eye under a 10x magnification in good light.
CUT:
Each diamond is cut according to an exact mathematical
formula. The most common cut, the round brilliant, has 58 facets,
or small, flat, polished planes designed to yield the maximum
amount of light to be reflected back to the viewer. This reflection,
known as brilliance, is an extremely important factor in evaluating
the quality of a diamond. A poorly cut diamond will actually lose
light and appear dull. The widest circumference of a diamond is
known as the girdle. Above the girdle of a brilliant cut diamond
are 32 facets plus the table, the largest and topmost facet. Below
the girdle are 24 facets plus the culet, or point. Cut is also
used to describe the shape of a diamond. In addition to the round
brilliant, other popular cuts include emerald, marquis, pear,
oval and square.
TERMS
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Just
like the infinite range of diamond qualities and colors, there are
many different shapes and setting techniques offered by today's
designers. Here is a mini-glossary of the most important ones:
Baguette
— This refers to a rectangular-shaped small
diamond that is often used to enhance the setting of a larger
stone.
Bezel
setting — A diamond is completely
surrounded by a precious metal border in this setting technique
that resembles a picture frame.
Channel
setting — Popular for mounting
rows of small, uniformly sized stones, this setting technique
uses two strips of metal to hold the stones at the sides. Used
for round, baguette and square-cut stones, the channel setting
resembles a railroad track with the diamonds in the center.
Fancy
cut — A diamond cut in any shape
other than round. Fancy cuts include such shapes as baguette,
emerald, triangle, pear, princess, oval and marquis.
Pavé
setting — A setting technique
for small diamonds in which the stones are set so closely together
that no metal shows. A pavé surface appears to be paved
with diamonds.
Solitaire
— The mounting of a single gemstone.
Tiffany
setting — A four- or six-prong
setting using long, slender prongs to hold the stone.
HOW
TO BUY DIAMOND JEWELRY
Because
expertise in the grading, selection and sale of diamonds takes years
of training, always buy a diamond from a retailer you can trust.
Look for a professional jeweler who is established in the community
and has an excellent reputation for integrity and service. Let him
show you a selection of diamonds and explain the subtle differences
in grade and value. Use his knowledge and expertise to guide you
in choosing the perfect diamond for a lifetime of wearing pleasure.
Ask
if the diamond you are purchasing has been treated or altered in
any way. Diamonds can be colored, tinted, coated, irradiated or
heated to improve their appearance. Inclusions are sometimes removed
with lasers and fractures filled with a glasslike compound. Some
of these procedures are not permanent. For example, the epoxies
used in fracture-filled diamonds can melt away if the stone is heated.
A professional and trustworthy jeweler will let you know if a diamond's
natural appearance has been altered.
CARING FOR YOUR DIAMOND
Diamonds
may be the hardest substance known to man, but they still can be
damaged or dulled. Your diamond jewelry will benefit from the following
tips:
- Don't
jumble your diamond jewelry together or with other pieces, because
diamonds can scratch other jewelry and each other.
- Keep
your diamond jewelry in a fabric-lined jewel case or in a box
with compartments or dividers.
- Don't
wear your diamonds when doing rough work. Even though a diamond
is durable, it can be chipped by a hard blow.
- Clean
your diamonds regularly using either commercial jewelry cleaner,
a mix of ammonia and water, or a mild detergent. Dip the jewelry
into the solution, and use a soft brush to dislodge dust or dirt
from under the setting.
- Don't
let your diamond come in contact with chlorine bleach or other
chemicals, because they can pit or discolor the mounting.
- See
your jeweler at least once a year to have your diamond jewelry
professionally cleaned and checked for loose prongs and wear.
WHERE
TO BUY DIAMOND JEWELRY
Now
that you are ready to buy, the question that comes to mind is where?
To make sure that you buy diamond jewelry you will be happy with
for years to come, follow this simple rule: buy from a professional
you can trust. Someone who has been serving the community for a
number of years and has an established reputation.
Argenti
Designer Jewelers is a member of Jewelers of America, the national
association for retail jewelers. This is your guarantee that Argenti
Designer Jewelers are knowledgeable, with a wide selection that
will make putting your diamond jewelry wardrobe together easy and
fun. They will not only help you with this purchase but they will
be there in the future to answer all your questions and help you
with your purchases, repairs, and custom design.
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