The well known 3rd parties are GIA, AGS, IGI and EGL.
GIA grading reports are the most common listed on the web (about 3/4's of all listings). So let's take a look what it look like.
Topics that included :
Thursday, February 14, 2008
18. GIA grading
Almost all diamonds sold online, and better quality larger stones sold in the stores, come with a (supposedly) independent 3rd party grading report, or 'cert'. Reports help you ‘compare apples’ - but sadly there is no international standards body - different labs can give the same stone different grades.
The well known 3rd parties are GIA, AGS, IGI and EGL.
GIA grading reports are the most common listed on the web (about 3/4's of all listings). So let's take a look what it look like.
Topics that included :
The well known 3rd parties are GIA, AGS, IGI and EGL.
GIA grading reports are the most common listed on the web (about 3/4's of all listings). So let's take a look what it look like.
Topics that included :
17. Pro and Con to shop diamond online!
Although it may seem like a risky venture, buying over the Internet can be a very safe way to buy the most beautifully cut diamonds at the best prices.
Pros:
Selection - By shopping online, you can find the best-cut (most beautiful) diamonds. This is because many Internet vendors list entire wholesaler inventories, whereas most stores that buy diamonds to have in stock can only buy so many and may not have the knowledge or desire to stock the best-cut diamonds.
Prices - The Internet prices are highly competitive because of lower operation cost for some and many dealers are competing to sell the very same diamonds. (There are some Internet or brick and click vendors who maintain their own inventory). In addition, you can save on taxes by getting the diamond shipped to you from another state.
Flexibility - One benefit of Internet shopping is the ability to have diamonds shipped to you where you can view them in the lighting conditions where they will be worn. Consumers can also take a diamond shipped to them to a local jeweler to make comparisons. Just be aware of the return policy of the vendor from whom you buy.
Cons:
Uncertainty – How can I be sure that I'll get what I'm paying for?
Lack of trust – How do I know whether the vendor whom I've never met will provide what he promised?
Doubts – How can I be sure that I’ll be able to get my money back if I am not satisfied?
To take advantage of the pros and avoid the cons we suggest you to consider these simple rules of common sense:
Educate yourself
Compare prices
Check vendors
Get independent appraising
For more information - visit this website : http://www.pricescope.com/isitsafe.asp
Pros:
Selection - By shopping online, you can find the best-cut (most beautiful) diamonds. This is because many Internet vendors list entire wholesaler inventories, whereas most stores that buy diamonds to have in stock can only buy so many and may not have the knowledge or desire to stock the best-cut diamonds.
Prices - The Internet prices are highly competitive because of lower operation cost for some and many dealers are competing to sell the very same diamonds. (There are some Internet or brick and click vendors who maintain their own inventory). In addition, you can save on taxes by getting the diamond shipped to you from another state.
Flexibility - One benefit of Internet shopping is the ability to have diamonds shipped to you where you can view them in the lighting conditions where they will be worn. Consumers can also take a diamond shipped to them to a local jeweler to make comparisons. Just be aware of the return policy of the vendor from whom you buy.
Cons:
Uncertainty – How can I be sure that I'll get what I'm paying for?
Lack of trust – How do I know whether the vendor whom I've never met will provide what he promised?
Doubts – How can I be sure that I’ll be able to get my money back if I am not satisfied?
To take advantage of the pros and avoid the cons we suggest you to consider these simple rules of common sense:
Educate yourself
Compare prices
Check vendors
Get independent appraising
For more information - visit this website : http://www.pricescope.com/isitsafe.asp
16. Diamond Weight Estimation
This is for estimating the weight of loose diamonds. I found this information from website of Mr.Ryan Thompson (http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/diamondweightestimation.html)
This section was originally "Gemstone Weight Estimation", but he realized the formulas were meant for diamond.
3.52 is the specific gravity of diamond.
Here are the estimation calculation
Rounds = Diameter x Diameter x Depth x .0061
Ovals = Length x width x Depth x .0062
Princess Cuts = Length x width x depth x .0083
Heart Cuts = Length x width x depth x .0059
Triangle Cut = Length x width x depth x .0057
-------------------------------------
Emerald Cut = Length x width x depth x factor:
-------------------------------------------
Marquise Cut = Length x width x depth x factor:
---------------------------------------
Pear Cut = Length x width x depth x factor:
This section was originally "Gemstone Weight Estimation", but he realized the formulas were meant for diamond.
3.52 is the specific gravity of diamond.
Here are the estimation calculation
Rounds = Diameter x Diameter x Depth x .0061
Ovals = Length x width x Depth x .0062
Princess Cuts = Length x width x depth x .0083
Heart Cuts = Length x width x depth x .0059
Triangle Cut = Length x width x depth x .0057
-------------------------------------
Emerald Cut = Length x width x depth x factor:
-------------------------------------------
Marquise Cut = Length x width x depth x factor:
---------------------------------------
Pear Cut = Length x width x depth x factor:
15. 'Champagne', 'Cognac' and 'Coffee'
What do the terms 'champagne', 'cognac' and 'coffee' mean pertaining to diamond color?
These refer to different types of brown. In the diamond processing/dealing industry, the word 'brown' is considered a killer as far as diamond value goes. Outside the diamond processing/dealing industry, nobody seems to care. Even though champagne the drink is a light yellow color, champagne diamonds are light brown. Congac is usually used to describe a diamond that is orangy-brown or brownish-orange because cognac is a deep golden orange color. Coffee is usually used to describe a diamond that is a deep brown color. Those are dressed-up term the jewelry industry uses to describe brown diamonds. I tend to call them what they are, however. The GIA will call them something like Fancy Intense Brown or Fancy Yellowish-Brown or Fancy Light Brown, etc. I have not seen a diamond grading certificate for a brown diamond that didn't have secondary colors. Whenever I have seen a certificate mentioning brown, it has always been something like Fancy Brownish-Pink, Fancy Brownish-Yellow, Fancy Yellowish-Brown, Fancy Orangy-Brown, and so on. I've never seen a Fancy Brown or a Fancy Intense Brown. I think the reason is that most people with diamonds like this don't get them certified (unless they have a larger stone like 3 or 4 carats or more) because in the world of colored diamonds, brown diamonds tend to fall towards the bottom of the price scale. In other words, most people would not consider it worth the money to get the stone certified. Like I have said elsewhere on this site, the most common gem-quality diamonds in nature are light yellow or light brown. Black is even more common usually as industrial rough and only some black diamonds are faceted, even though they are opaque stones they must first show certain potential.
Reference : http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/faq.html
14. Diamond vs Cubic zirconium.
The different between a diamond and a cubic zirconium.
Well-cut cubic zirconium can compete with diamond, but when held side-by-side with a diamond, there is a visual difference. A colorless cubic zirconium tends to cast some rainbow reflections within it, called 'fire'. A colorless or near-colorless diamond doesn't tend to -- most of the sparkle is shades of gray and white. Cubic zirconium is manufactured in numerous different colors including different shades of pink, yellow, purple, blue, orange, red, brown, colorless and even opaque black. CZ is an 8½ on the Mohs hardness scale, about the same as topaz. CZ is also much more dense than diamond with a specific gravity of 5.8 while diamond is just 3.5. (In other words, a piece of CZ is going to weigh about 75% more than a piece of diamond of identical mass. Some CZ is grown with different formulas, which means the 75% figure isn't always true.) Diamond has a refractive index of 2.42. CZ has a refractive index of about 2.15, making it brighter than quartz, topaz, corundum and other materials, but not as bright as diamond.
Reference : http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/faq.html
Well-cut cubic zirconium can compete with diamond, but when held side-by-side with a diamond, there is a visual difference. A colorless cubic zirconium tends to cast some rainbow reflections within it, called 'fire'. A colorless or near-colorless diamond doesn't tend to -- most of the sparkle is shades of gray and white. Cubic zirconium is manufactured in numerous different colors including different shades of pink, yellow, purple, blue, orange, red, brown, colorless and even opaque black. CZ is an 8½ on the Mohs hardness scale, about the same as topaz. CZ is also much more dense than diamond with a specific gravity of 5.8 while diamond is just 3.5. (In other words, a piece of CZ is going to weigh about 75% more than a piece of diamond of identical mass. Some CZ is grown with different formulas, which means the 75% figure isn't always true.) Diamond has a refractive index of 2.42. CZ has a refractive index of about 2.15, making it brighter than quartz, topaz, corundum and other materials, but not as bright as diamond.
Reference : http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/faq.html
13. Lucky number - let's talk about the rumors
1.The stone 'the Heart of the Ocean' in Titanic was based on the Hope Diamond.
This is true. James Cameron has admitted to basing the stone on the Hope. The Hope is a cushion shape surrounded by white diamonds on a necklace, and the Heart of the Ocean is a heart shape (and much much larger than the Hope) also surrounded by white diamonds, on a necklace. Sometime after the film was made, a large fine sapphire was discovered and cut into a heart shape and placed into a necklace identical to the prop used in the film - except with genuine stones. The necklace was worn by Celine Dion at several events, and was later sold for over $1 million. This is one of the rare cases in the history of fine jewelry where a genuine stone was cut based on a fake, rather than vice-versa.
2.There really was a Heart of the Ocean necklace that sank with the Titanic.
This is false. Nor was the Hope Diamond (the gem the Heart of the Ocean was based on) ever on the Titanic. Evalyn Walsh McLean, however, owned the Hope Diamond from 1910 up til her death in 1947, and she had considered booking a trip on the Titanic's maiden--and only--voyage in 1912. Fortunately, she decided not to.
3. Diamonds are the most valuable gemstone in the world.?
This seems like it should be true, but its not. Diamonds are very valuable in the world of gems, but a fine ruby is actually worth more. There are far more large diamonds in this world than there are large rubies. The Mogok Ruby presently holds the world record for the most valuable ruby, in terms of the highest price fetched at a sale. It is a 15.97-carat rectangular cushion cut sold by Sotheby's of New York in October 18th, 1988 for $3,630,000 ($227,301 per-carat). The stone is untreated, that is, it was not heated to improve its color. It was purchased by Laurence Graff of London, who reportedly sold it to the Sultan of Brunei as an engagement ring for one of his wives. The Mandalay Ruby is the largest faceted ruby I have ever heard of, but I do not know whether it is the largest.
Reference : http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/faq.html
12. The largest faceted diamond
The largest faceted diamond in the world is the Golden Jubilee, weighing 545.67 carats. It is a Fancy Brownish-Yellow color and "fire rose cushion cut." It is unusual also because it has a certain type of rare color banding. The second largest faceted diamond in the world is the Star of Africa, also known as the Cullinan I. It weighs 530.20 carats and is a pear shape with 74 facets. The third largest diamond in the world is the Incomparable. It is a golden yellow-orange color, pear shaped, and weighs 407 carats. The fourth largest faceted diamond in the world is the Cullinan II. It was cut from the same stone as the Star of Africa - aka Cullinan I. It weighs 317.40 carats and is a cushion cut.
Up until 2001, the most valuable diamond (price-per-carat) was the 0.95-carat fancy red Hancock Red that had been sold at auction at Christies, NYC, for $880,000 ($926,315 per-carat). The stone was apparently purchased by a buyer representing the Sultan of Brunei, who reputedly has one of the largest collections of fancy colored diamonds in the world. I am not exactly sure which diamond holds the world record for the highest price per-carat, but I am almost certain its no longer held by the Hancock Red. Time will tell!
Reference : http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/famousdiamonds.html
11. Carat vs Karat
If you read any of the captions, you might wonder what a carat is. Gemstones are measured in carats (not carrot). 142 carats is equal to one ounce. The old carat measurement was slightly more than the new carat. When I say old, I mean several hundred years ago...
Gold is measured in karats. For instance, 24 K gold means that 24 of the 24 parts of the metal are gold. 18 K means that 18 parts of the 24 are gold.
Reference : http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/famousdiamonds.html
Gold is measured in karats. For instance, 24 K gold means that 24 of the 24 parts of the metal are gold. 18 K means that 18 parts of the 24 are gold.
Reference : http://famousdiamonds.tripod.com/famousdiamonds.html
10. Birthstones by month
Birthstones
January—Garnet
February—Amethyst
March—Aquamarine or bloodstone
April—Diamond
May—Emerald
June—Moonstone, pearl, or alexandrite (the latter of which changes colors depending on the type of light hitting the stone and in gem quality is considered more valuable than diamond)
July—Ruby
August—Peridot or sardonyx
September—Sapphire
October—Opal or tourmaline
November—Topaz or citrine
December—Turquoise or zircon
January—Garnet
February—Amethyst
March—Aquamarine or bloodstone
April—Diamond
May—Emerald
June—Moonstone, pearl, or alexandrite (the latter of which changes colors depending on the type of light hitting the stone and in gem quality is considered more valuable than diamond)
July—Ruby
August—Peridot or sardonyx
September—Sapphire
October—Opal or tourmaline
November—Topaz or citrine
December—Turquoise or zircon
9. Hope diamond
There are many story telling about the famous 'Hope' diamond. I am happy to code your a different aspect of this diamond story from the Weird Encyclopedia. Let's enjoy the story.
According to legend, the fabulous jewel now known as the Hope diamond once decorated the forehead of an Indian idol, from whence it was stolen by a Hindu priest. The poor priest, so the story goes, was captured and tortured for his troubles.
The remarkable gem, said to carry a deadly curse, first surfaced in Europe in 1642, in the possession of the French trader and smuggler Jean Babtiste Tefernier. He reaped a sizeable profit from its sale, but allowed his wastrel son to squander much of the money. Travelling to Indian to recoup his fortune, Tefernier was attacked by a pack of rabid dogs and torn to pieces. (Ouch.)
The gem passed next to France's King Louis XIV, who reduced its staggering size from 112.5 carats to 67.5. This reduction, however, did not affect the curse. After Nicholas Fouquet, a government official, borrowed the diamond for a state ball, he was convicted of embezzlement and sentence to life in prison, where he died. Princess de Lambelle, who wore the diamond regularly, was beaten to death by a Parisian mob. The king himself died broke and scorned, his empire in ruins. Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette died beneath the blade of the guillotine.
In 1830, the now historic treasure was purchased by London banker Henry Thomas Hope for $150,000. It proved a mixed blessing. Family fortunes declined rapidly, and one grandson died penniless before another heir finally sold the tainted stone. Over the next 16 years, the Hope diamond went from owner to owner, including Frenchman Jacques Colet, who committed suicide, and Russian Prince Ivan Kannitovitsky, a murder victim. In 1908, Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid paid $400,000 for the diamond and promptly bestowed in on his favorite concubine, Surbaya. But within a year Hamid had stabbed Subaya to death and had been dethroned himself. Simon Montharides had it next until one evening his carriage overturned, killing him, along with his wife and infant daughter.
Diamond and accompanying curse next made their way to American financial tycoon Ned McLean, who paid the bargain price of $154,000. Vincent, his son, soon succumbed in a car crash, and a daughter died from a drug overdoes. McLean's wife became addicted to morphine, and Mclean himself died in an insane asylum. Mrs. McLean passed away in 1947, leaving the hazardous heritage to six grandchildren.
Two years later, the McLean family sold the diamond to Harry Winston, a dealer in precious stones. Winston, in turn, deeded it to the Smithsonian Institution, where it now remains. Perhaps the curse can't work its misery on institutions the way it did on individuals; or perhaps the terrible disenchantment finally died with Evalyn McLean, one of the six McLean grandchildren, found dead of unapparent cause in her Dallas apartment on December 13, 1967, at the age of twenty-five.
Reference :http://www.weird-encyclopedia.com/hope-diamond-curse.php
8. Synthetics, simulants, and enhancements
Do you notice that the diamonds in this picture were built?
All of these colourless diamond were cultured by Apollo Diamond, Inc. via chemical vapour deposition.
Natural diamonds have formed naturally within the earth. Synthetic diamonds are purely manufactured. A diamond simulant is defined as a non-diamond material that is used to simulate the appearance of a diamond. Diamond-simulant gems are often referred to as diamante.
The gemological and industrial uses of diamond have created a large demand for rough stones. The demand for industrial diamonds has long been satisfied in large part by synthetic diamonds, which have been manufactured by various processes for more than half a century. However, in recent years it has become possible to produce gem-quality synthetic diamonds of significant size.
The majority of commercially available synthetic diamonds are yellow in color and produced by so called High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) processes. The yellow color is caused by nitrogen impurities. Other colors may also be reproduced such as blue, green or pink which are a result of the addition of boron or from irradiation after synthesis.
At present the annual production of gem quality synthetic diamonds is only a few thousand carats, whereas the total production of natural diamonds is around 120 million carats. Although the production of colorless synthetic diamonds is dwarfed by that of natural diamonds, one can only find one fancy colored diamond for every 10.000 colorless ones. Since almost the complete production of synthetic diamonds consists of fancy diamonds, there is a high probability that the larger fancy colored diamonds (over 1.5 carats) will be synthetic.
Today, trained gemologists can generally also distinguish between natural diamonds and synthetic diamonds. Although synthetic and natural diamonds are theoretically identical and indistinguishable from each other, diamonds from each of the two categories usually incorporate their own characteristic imperfections, arising from the circumstances of their creation, that allow them to be distinguished from each other. In the case of synthetic diamonds, for example, depending on the method of production (either high-pressure/high-temperature [HPHT] produced or chemical vapor deposition [CVD] produced) and the color of the diamond (colored, D-Z color range or D-J color range), several methods of identification can be attempted by a gemologist or gemlab: CVD diamonds can usually be identified by an orange fluorescence, D-J colored diamonds can be screened through the Swiss Gemological Organization's (SSEF) Diamond Spotter, and stones in the D-Z color range can be examined through the DiamondSure UV/visible spectrometer which is a tool developed by De Beers. Similarly, natural diamonds usually have minor imperfections and flaws, such as inclusions of foreign material, that are not seen in synthetic diamonds. The origin of a truly perfect diamond (natural or synthetic) cannot be determined and is largely moot, but perfect diamonds are currently rare from both sources.
A diamond's gem quality, which is not as dependent on material properties as industrial applications, has invited both imitation and the invention of procedures to enhance the gemological properties of natural diamonds. Materials which have similar gemological characteristics to diamond but are not mined or synthetic diamond are known as diamond simulants. The most familiar diamond simulant to most consumers is cubic zirconia (commonly abbreviated as CZ); recently moissanite has also gained popularity and has often been mischaracterized as a diamond simulant, although it is sold and retailed as a replacement for diamond. Both CZ and moissanite are synthetically produced. However, CZ is a diamond simulant. Diamond enhancements are specific treatments, performed on natural diamonds (usually those already cut and polished into a gem), which are designed to better the gemological characteristics of the stone in one or more ways. These include laser drilling to remove inclusions, application of sealants to fill cracks, treatments to improve a white diamond's color grade, and treatments to give fancy color to a white diamond.
Currently, trained gemologists with appropriate equipment are able to distinguish natural diamonds from simulant diamonds, and they can identify all enhanced natural diamonds. Coatings are more and more used to give a diamond simulant such as cubic zirconia a more "diamond-like" appearance. One such substance, which is heavily advertised, is what scientists refer to as "diamond-like carbon". This is an amorphous carbonaceous material that has some physical properties which are similar to that of the diamond. Advertising suggests (righfully so or not) that such a coating would transfer some of these diamond-like properties to the coated stone, hence enhancing the diamond simulant. However, modern techniques such as Raman Spectroscopy should easily identify such as treatment.
Producing large synthetic diamonds threatens the business model of the diamond industry, and the ultimate effect of the ready availability of gem-quality diamonds at low cost in the future is hard to predict at this time.
The screening machine use for referring treated or enhanced diamonds as well as synthetics is the DiamondSure, and the definitive analytical machine is the DiamondView produce by the DTC and supplied marketed by the GIA. All of the major diamond testing laboratories world wide are required to have these machines.
7. "Blood" Diamond
In some of the more politically unstable central African and west African countries, revolutionary groups have taken control of diamond mines, using proceeds from diamond sales to finance their operations. Diamonds sold through this process are known as conflict diamonds or blood diamonds. Major diamond trading corporations continue to fund and fuel these conflicts by doing business with armed groups. In response to public concerns that their diamond purchases were contributing to war and human rights abuses in central Africa and West Africa, the United Nations, the diamond industry and diamond-trading nations introduced the Kimberley Process in 2002, which is aimed at ensuring that conflict diamonds do not become intermixed with the diamonds not controlled by such rebel groups, by providing documentation and certification of diamond exports from producing countries to ensure that the proceeds of sale are not being used to fund criminal or revolutionary activities. Although the Kimberley Process has been moderately successful in limiting the number of conflict diamonds entering the market, conflict diamonds smuggled to market continue to persist to some degree (approx. 2–3% of diamonds traded today are possible conflict diamonds. According to the 2006 book The Heartless Stone, two major flaws still hinder the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process: the relative ease of smuggling diamonds across African borders and giving phony histories, and the violent nature of diamond mining in nations which are not in a technical state of war and whose diamonds are therefore considered "clean."
The Canadian Government has setup a body known as Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct to help authenticate Canadian diamonds. This is a very stringent tracking system of diamonds and helps protect the 'conflict free' label of Canadian diamonds.
Currently, gem production totals nearly 30 million carats (6,000 kg) of cut and polished stones annually, and over 100 million carats (20,000 kg) of mined diamonds are sold for industrial use each year, as are about 100,000 kg of synthesized diamond.
The Canadian Government has setup a body known as Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct to help authenticate Canadian diamonds. This is a very stringent tracking system of diamonds and helps protect the 'conflict free' label of Canadian diamonds.
Currently, gem production totals nearly 30 million carats (6,000 kg) of cut and polished stones annually, and over 100 million carats (20,000 kg) of mined diamonds are sold for industrial use each year, as are about 100,000 kg of synthesized diamond.
6. Are there diamonds in USA ?
Yes, besides of diamond selling in jewelry store, we do found diamonds in USA.
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is an Arkansas State Park located near Murfreesboro in Pike County, Arkansas, USA containing the only diamond bearing site in the world that is open to the public.
The Crater of Diamonds State Park is an Arkansas State Park located near Murfreesboro in Pike County, Arkansas, USA containing the only diamond bearing site in the world that is open to the public.
5. Diamond supply chain (2)
Distribution
The Diamond Trading Company, or DTC, is a subsidiary of De Beers and markets rough diamonds produced both by De Beers mines and other mines from which it purchases rough diamond production. Once purchased by sightholders, diamonds are cut and polished in preparation for sale as gemstones. The cutting and polishing of rough diamonds is a specialized skill that is concentrated in a limited number of locations worldwide. Traditional diamond cutting centers are Antwerp, Amsterdam, Johannesburg, New York, and Tel Aviv. Recently, diamond cutting centers have been established in China, India, and Thailand. Cutting centers with lower cost of labor, notably Surat in Gujarat, India, handle a larger number of smaller carat diamonds, while smaller quantities of larger or more valuable diamonds are more likely to be handled in Europe or North America. The recent expansion of this industry in India, employing low cost labor, has allowed smaller diamonds to be prepared as gems in greater quantities than was previously economically feasible.
Diamonds which have been prepared as gemstones are sold on diamond exchanges called bourses. There are 26 registered diamond bourses.[31] This is the final tightly controlled step in the diamond supply chain; wholesalers and even retailers are able to buy relatively small lots of diamonds at the bourses, after which they are prepared for final sale to the consumer. Diamonds can be sold already set in jewelry, or as is increasingly popular, sold unset ("loose"). According to the Rio Tinto Group, in 2002 the diamonds produced and released to the market were valued at US$9 billion as rough diamonds, US$14 billion after being cut and polished, US$28 billion in wholesale diamond jewelry, and retail sales of US$57 billion.
The Diamond Trading Company, or DTC, is a subsidiary of De Beers and markets rough diamonds produced both by De Beers mines and other mines from which it purchases rough diamond production. Once purchased by sightholders, diamonds are cut and polished in preparation for sale as gemstones. The cutting and polishing of rough diamonds is a specialized skill that is concentrated in a limited number of locations worldwide. Traditional diamond cutting centers are Antwerp, Amsterdam, Johannesburg, New York, and Tel Aviv. Recently, diamond cutting centers have been established in China, India, and Thailand. Cutting centers with lower cost of labor, notably Surat in Gujarat, India, handle a larger number of smaller carat diamonds, while smaller quantities of larger or more valuable diamonds are more likely to be handled in Europe or North America. The recent expansion of this industry in India, employing low cost labor, has allowed smaller diamonds to be prepared as gems in greater quantities than was previously economically feasible.
Diamonds which have been prepared as gemstones are sold on diamond exchanges called bourses. There are 26 registered diamond bourses.[31] This is the final tightly controlled step in the diamond supply chain; wholesalers and even retailers are able to buy relatively small lots of diamonds at the bourses, after which they are prepared for final sale to the consumer. Diamonds can be sold already set in jewelry, or as is increasingly popular, sold unset ("loose"). According to the Rio Tinto Group, in 2002 the diamonds produced and released to the market were valued at US$9 billion as rough diamonds, US$14 billion after being cut and polished, US$28 billion in wholesale diamond jewelry, and retail sales of US$57 billion.
4. Diamond supply chain
The diamond supply chain is controlled by a limited number of powerful businesses, and is also highly concentrated in a small number of locations around the world.
Mining, sources and production
Only a very small fraction of the diamond ore consists of actual diamonds. The ore is crushed, during which care has to be taken in order to prevent larger diamonds from being destroyed in this process and subsequently the particles are sorted by density. Today, diamonds are located in the diamond-rich density fraction with the help of X-ray fluorescence, after which the final sorting steps are done by hand. Before the use of X-rays became commonplace, the separation was done with grease belts; diamonds have a stronger tendency to stick to grease than the other minerals in the ore.
Historically diamonds were known to be found only in alluvial deposits in southern India. India led the world in diamond production from the time of their discovery in approximately the 9th century BCE to the mid-18th century AD, but the commercial potential of these sources had been exhausted by the late 18th century and at that time India was eclipsed by Brazil where the first non-Indian diamonds were found in 1725.
Diamond production of primary deposits (kimberlites and lamproites) only started in the 1870's after the discovery of the Diamond fields in South Africa. Production has increased over time and now an accumulated total of 4.5 billion carats have been mined since that date.[22] Interestingly 20% of that amount has been mined in the last 5 years alone and during the last ten years 9 new mines have started production while 4 more are waiting to be opened soon. Most of these mines are located in Canada, Zimbabwe, Angola, and one in Russia.
In the US, diamonds have been found in Arkansas, Colorado, and Montana.[23][24] In 2004, a startling discovery of a microscopic diamond in the US[25] led to the January 2008 bulk-sampling of kimberlite pipes in a remote part of Montana.
Today, most commercially viable diamond deposits are in Russia, Botswana, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2005, Russia produced almost one-fifth of the global diamond output, reports the British Geological Survey. Australia boasts the richest diamondiferous pipe with production reaching peak levels of 42 metric tons (41 LT/46 ST) per year in the 1990's.
There are also commercial deposits being actively mined in the Northwest Territories of Canada, Siberia (mostly in Yakutia territory, for example Mir pipe and Udachnaya pipe), Brazil, and in Northern and Western Australia. Diamond prospectors continue to search the globe for diamond-bearing kimberlite and lamproite pipes.
References
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond
Mining, sources and production
Only a very small fraction of the diamond ore consists of actual diamonds. The ore is crushed, during which care has to be taken in order to prevent larger diamonds from being destroyed in this process and subsequently the particles are sorted by density. Today, diamonds are located in the diamond-rich density fraction with the help of X-ray fluorescence, after which the final sorting steps are done by hand. Before the use of X-rays became commonplace, the separation was done with grease belts; diamonds have a stronger tendency to stick to grease than the other minerals in the ore.
Historically diamonds were known to be found only in alluvial deposits in southern India. India led the world in diamond production from the time of their discovery in approximately the 9th century BCE to the mid-18th century AD, but the commercial potential of these sources had been exhausted by the late 18th century and at that time India was eclipsed by Brazil where the first non-Indian diamonds were found in 1725.
Diamond production of primary deposits (kimberlites and lamproites) only started in the 1870's after the discovery of the Diamond fields in South Africa. Production has increased over time and now an accumulated total of 4.5 billion carats have been mined since that date.[22] Interestingly 20% of that amount has been mined in the last 5 years alone and during the last ten years 9 new mines have started production while 4 more are waiting to be opened soon. Most of these mines are located in Canada, Zimbabwe, Angola, and one in Russia.
In the US, diamonds have been found in Arkansas, Colorado, and Montana.[23][24] In 2004, a startling discovery of a microscopic diamond in the US[25] led to the January 2008 bulk-sampling of kimberlite pipes in a remote part of Montana.
Today, most commercially viable diamond deposits are in Russia, Botswana, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2005, Russia produced almost one-fifth of the global diamond output, reports the British Geological Survey. Australia boasts the richest diamondiferous pipe with production reaching peak levels of 42 metric tons (41 LT/46 ST) per year in the 1990's.
There are also commercial deposits being actively mined in the Northwest Territories of Canada, Siberia (mostly in Yakutia territory, for example Mir pipe and Udachnaya pipe), Brazil, and in Northern and Western Australia. Diamond prospectors continue to search the globe for diamond-bearing kimberlite and lamproite pipes.
References
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond
3. The diamond industry
The diamond industry can be broadly separated into two basically distinct categories: one dealing with gem-grade diamonds and another for industrial-grade diamonds. While a large trade in both types of diamonds exists, the two markets act in dramatically different ways.
1. Gem diamond industry
A large trade in gem-grade diamonds exists. Unlike precious metals such as gold or platinum, gem diamonds do not trade as a commodity: there is a substantial mark-up in the sale of diamonds, and there is not a very active market for resale of diamonds. One hallmark of the trade in gem-quality diamonds is its remarkable concentration: wholesale trade and diamond cutting is limited to a few locations. 92% of diamond pieces cut in 2003 were in Surat, Gujarat, India.[1] Other important centers of diamond cutting and trading are Antwerp, London, New York, Tel Aviv, Amsterdam. A single company—De Beers—controls a significant proportion of the trade in diamonds. They are based in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, England.
The production and distribution of diamonds is largely consolidated in the hands of a few key players, and concentrated in traditional diamond trading centers. The most important being Antwerp, where 80% of all rough diamonds, 50% of all cut diamonds and more than 50% of all rough, cut and industrial diamonds combined are handled.[citation needed] This makes Antwerp the de facto 'world diamond capital'. New York, however, along with the rest of the United States, is where almost 80% of the world's diamonds are sold, including at auction. Also, the largest and most unusually shaped rough diamonds end up in New York. The De Beers company, as the world's largest diamond miner holds a clearly dominant position in the industry, and has done so since soon after its founding in 1888 by the British imperialist Cecil Rhodes. De Beers owns or controls a significant portion of the world's rough diamond production facilities (mines) and distribution channels for gem-quality diamonds. The company and its subsidiaries own mines that produce some 40 percent of annual world diamond production. At one time it was thought over 80 percent of the world's rough diamonds passed through the Diamond Trading Company (DTC, a subsidiary of De Beers) in London, but presently the figure is estimated at less than 50 percent.
The De Beers diamond advertising campaign is acknowledged as one of the most successful and innovative campaigns in history. N. W. Ayer & Son, the advertising firm retained by De Beers in the mid-20th century, succeeded in reviving the American diamond market and opened up new markets, even in countries where no diamond tradition had existed before. N.W. Ayer's multifaceted marketing campaign included product placement, advertising the diamond itself rather than the De Beers brand, and building associations with celebrities and royalty. This coordinated campaign has lasted decades and continues today; it is perhaps best captured by the slogan "a diamond is forever".
Further down the supply chain, members of The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) act as a medium for wholesale diamond exchange, trading both polished and rough diamonds. The WFDB consists of independent diamond bourses in major cutting centres such as Tel Aviv, Antwerp, Johannesburg and other cities across the USA, Europe and Asia.
In 2000, the WFDB and The International Diamond Manufacturers Association established the World Diamond Council to prevent the trading of diamonds used to fund war and inhumane acts.
WFDB's additional activities also include sponsoring the World Diamond Congress every two years, as well as the establishment of the International Diamond Council (IDC) to oversee diamond grading.
2. Industrial diamond industry
The market for industrial-grade diamonds operates much differently from its gem-grade counterpart. Industrial diamonds are valued mostly for their hardness and heat conductivity, making many of the gemological characteristics of diamond, including clarity and color, mostly irrelevant. This helps explain why 80% of mined diamonds (equal to about 100 million carats or 20,000 kg annually), unsuitable for use as gemstones and known as bort, are destined for industrial use. In addition to mined diamonds, synthetic diamonds found industrial applications almost immediately after their invention in the 1950s; another 3 billion carats (600 metric tons) of synthetic diamond is produced annually for industrial use.
The dominant industrial use of diamond is in cutting, drilling, grinding, and polishing. Most uses of diamonds in these technologies do not require large diamonds; in fact, most diamonds that are gem-quality except for their small size, can find an industrial use. Diamonds are embedded in drill tips or saw blades, or ground into a powder for use in grinding and polishing applications. Specialized applications include use in laboratories as containment for high pressure experiments (see diamond anvil), high-performance bearings, and limited use in specialized windows.
With the continuing advances being made in the production of synthetic diamonds, future applications are beginning to become feasible. Garnering much excitement is the possible use of diamond as a semiconductor suitable to build microchips from, or the use of diamond as a heat sink in electronics.
References
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond
2.David, Joshua (September 2003). "The New Diamond Age". Wired, issue 11.09.
3.De Beers Group. "De Beers Group". Retrieved March 14, 2005.
4.Chaim Evevn-Zohar (2007). "From Mine to Mistress - Corporate Strategies and Government Policies in the International Diamond Industry" (Second edition of the book on the world diamond industry) Mining Journal Press.
5.Eppler, W.F. Praktische Gemmologie. Rühle-Diebner-Verlag, 1989
Government of Gujarat (2004). "Vibrant Gujarat: Sector Profiles". Retrieved March 14, 2005.
6.Kjarsgaard, B.A. and Levinson, A. A. (2002). Diamonds in Canada. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 208–238.
7. Kunz, George Frederick, Curious Lore of Precious Stones, Lippincott Co., 1913
Pagel - Theisen, Verena. Diamond Grading ABC: the Manual Rubin & Son, Antwerp, Belgium, 2001. ISBN 3-9800434-6-0
8. Streeter - The Great Diamonds of the World , London, George Bell & Sons, 1882
1. Gem diamond industry
A large trade in gem-grade diamonds exists. Unlike precious metals such as gold or platinum, gem diamonds do not trade as a commodity: there is a substantial mark-up in the sale of diamonds, and there is not a very active market for resale of diamonds. One hallmark of the trade in gem-quality diamonds is its remarkable concentration: wholesale trade and diamond cutting is limited to a few locations. 92% of diamond pieces cut in 2003 were in Surat, Gujarat, India.[1] Other important centers of diamond cutting and trading are Antwerp, London, New York, Tel Aviv, Amsterdam. A single company—De Beers—controls a significant proportion of the trade in diamonds. They are based in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, England.
The production and distribution of diamonds is largely consolidated in the hands of a few key players, and concentrated in traditional diamond trading centers. The most important being Antwerp, where 80% of all rough diamonds, 50% of all cut diamonds and more than 50% of all rough, cut and industrial diamonds combined are handled.[citation needed] This makes Antwerp the de facto 'world diamond capital'. New York, however, along with the rest of the United States, is where almost 80% of the world's diamonds are sold, including at auction. Also, the largest and most unusually shaped rough diamonds end up in New York. The De Beers company, as the world's largest diamond miner holds a clearly dominant position in the industry, and has done so since soon after its founding in 1888 by the British imperialist Cecil Rhodes. De Beers owns or controls a significant portion of the world's rough diamond production facilities (mines) and distribution channels for gem-quality diamonds. The company and its subsidiaries own mines that produce some 40 percent of annual world diamond production. At one time it was thought over 80 percent of the world's rough diamonds passed through the Diamond Trading Company (DTC, a subsidiary of De Beers) in London, but presently the figure is estimated at less than 50 percent.
The De Beers diamond advertising campaign is acknowledged as one of the most successful and innovative campaigns in history. N. W. Ayer & Son, the advertising firm retained by De Beers in the mid-20th century, succeeded in reviving the American diamond market and opened up new markets, even in countries where no diamond tradition had existed before. N.W. Ayer's multifaceted marketing campaign included product placement, advertising the diamond itself rather than the De Beers brand, and building associations with celebrities and royalty. This coordinated campaign has lasted decades and continues today; it is perhaps best captured by the slogan "a diamond is forever".
Further down the supply chain, members of The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) act as a medium for wholesale diamond exchange, trading both polished and rough diamonds. The WFDB consists of independent diamond bourses in major cutting centres such as Tel Aviv, Antwerp, Johannesburg and other cities across the USA, Europe and Asia.
In 2000, the WFDB and The International Diamond Manufacturers Association established the World Diamond Council to prevent the trading of diamonds used to fund war and inhumane acts.
WFDB's additional activities also include sponsoring the World Diamond Congress every two years, as well as the establishment of the International Diamond Council (IDC) to oversee diamond grading.
2. Industrial diamond industry
The market for industrial-grade diamonds operates much differently from its gem-grade counterpart. Industrial diamonds are valued mostly for their hardness and heat conductivity, making many of the gemological characteristics of diamond, including clarity and color, mostly irrelevant. This helps explain why 80% of mined diamonds (equal to about 100 million carats or 20,000 kg annually), unsuitable for use as gemstones and known as bort, are destined for industrial use. In addition to mined diamonds, synthetic diamonds found industrial applications almost immediately after their invention in the 1950s; another 3 billion carats (600 metric tons) of synthetic diamond is produced annually for industrial use.
The dominant industrial use of diamond is in cutting, drilling, grinding, and polishing. Most uses of diamonds in these technologies do not require large diamonds; in fact, most diamonds that are gem-quality except for their small size, can find an industrial use. Diamonds are embedded in drill tips or saw blades, or ground into a powder for use in grinding and polishing applications. Specialized applications include use in laboratories as containment for high pressure experiments (see diamond anvil), high-performance bearings, and limited use in specialized windows.
With the continuing advances being made in the production of synthetic diamonds, future applications are beginning to become feasible. Garnering much excitement is the possible use of diamond as a semiconductor suitable to build microchips from, or the use of diamond as a heat sink in electronics.
References
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond
2.David, Joshua (September 2003). "The New Diamond Age". Wired, issue 11.09.
3.De Beers Group. "De Beers Group". Retrieved March 14, 2005.
4.Chaim Evevn-Zohar (2007). "From Mine to Mistress - Corporate Strategies and Government Policies in the International Diamond Industry" (Second edition of the book on the world diamond industry) Mining Journal Press.
5.Eppler, W.F. Praktische Gemmologie. Rühle-Diebner-Verlag, 1989
Government of Gujarat (2004). "Vibrant Gujarat: Sector Profiles". Retrieved March 14, 2005.
6.Kjarsgaard, B.A. and Levinson, A. A. (2002). Diamonds in Canada. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 208–238.
7. Kunz, George Frederick, Curious Lore of Precious Stones, Lippincott Co., 1913
Pagel - Theisen, Verena. Diamond Grading ABC: the Manual Rubin & Son, Antwerp, Belgium, 2001. ISBN 3-9800434-6-0
8. Streeter - The Great Diamonds of the World , London, George Bell & Sons, 1882
2. Promise Ring
Despite of engagement ring and wedding ring, now promise ring is more popular. A promise ring is a ring that is indicating a serious promise made to oneself or another. It may be given to a romantic partner to signify a commitment to a monogamous relationship, without a more lasting bond such as marriage. Lovers mostly exchange promise rings to indicate their commitment to the relationship they have. Generally, a girl receives a promise ring from her lover when they know they want to be married, but because of age or circumstances, it is not possible at that time. A friend may bestow a promise ring to another friend to signify their loyalty and/or resolve to remain friends forever.
Promise rings date back to the 16th century. They were also known as friendship rings and illustrations show these rings (as early as 1576AD). Back in the day, when a man could not afford to get married as the social structure of marriage was forbidding, they would buy a promise ring as a placeholder until such time they would be able to effectuate a marriage.
During the 20th century, in some instances women would offer men's promise rings to their man because, at the time, he was unable to commission to be wed. It was generally a surprise offering and was something the man could accept or deny.
Tradition generally holds that these rings were given by younger couples. This was usually the case because it was normal for the young couple not to have a wealth position that would allow for marriage and children. Nowadays anyone can give a promise ring, regardless of wealth or social status.
Promise rings are bestowed to symbolize a promise that one person makes to another. In some cases, promise rings are precursors to engagement rings. While the latter symbolize a promise to marry, promise rings can stand for many other kinds of vows.
Promise rings can mean: "I will be faithful to you"
Promise rings can mean: "I will return to you"
Promise rings can mean: "I will keep you in my heart always"
Promise rings can mean: "My intention is to marry you one day"
Promise rings can mean: "We are best friends"
Promise rings can mean: "I will always be there for you"
Promise rings can mean: "I love you"
Promise rings can mean: "I will stay chaste until marriage"
Within some Christian-based faiths, promise rings are given to a young woman by her father, to signify a promise to remain a virgin until marriage. This is often accompanied by a ceremony.
There are many different promise ring styles:
White Gold Promise Rings
Diamond Promise Rings
Yellow Gold Promise Rings
Solid 14K designs
Many designs contain the heart symbol and it is symbolic in that the lover dedicates their heart to being with each other. Sterling silver promise rings are also given when the purchaser is unable to afford the precious syles and genuine diamonds.
Other designs don't necessarily contain hearts. They are usually simplistic in design and may have diamonds. Many use 3 stone diamond rings (usually smaller in stone size than the engagement three stone) or another classic design.
References:
1. Ades, Michael "Beautiful Promise Rings" A True Love Commitment Spring 2002
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promise_ring
3. http://review4best.blogspot.com/2008/02/2-diamonds-buying-guide.html
4. http://www.heavenlytreasures.com/promise-rings.html#top
1. Diamond Buying Guide
"Diamond is the women's best friend'. To buy diamonds safely, expert suggest how to evaluate the quality of each diamond by using use four standard measurements to compare and evaluate each diamonds : Cut, carat, clarity, and color. Once you get to know the four Cs, you can make informed tradeoffs based on your style preference and budget.
The first 'C ' - Cut
Diamond shapes range from traditional round cuts to hearts, pears, and more. A well-cut diamond reflects light to maximize the stone's brilliance. Cut has three components:
Diamond cut grade: A standard grading report describes cut by the shape or outline of the diamond and the pattern of the facet arrangement (also known as cutting style).
Diamond cut depth: Diamonds cut too shallow or too deep lose light through the bottom or sides, causing the stones to sparkle less.
Diamond polish: A poor polish, or rough facets, can diminish a diamond's brilliance, as well as its value.
The second 'C '- Carat
Diamond size is measured by weight in carats or points. 1 Carat = 100 Points = 200 milligrams. Diamond prices rise considerably as carat weights increase.
The third 'C ' - Clarity
Most diamonds contain inclusions (tiny mineral traces or flaws) often invisible to the naked eye. A diamond's clarity is determined by the amount and severity of these inclusions. Flawless diamonds are very rare and more expensive. Diamond sellers often describe the clarity of larger, solitaire diamonds by referring to the industry letter grading scale. For example, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) uses the following grading scale for clarity:
The last 'C ' - Color
Most diamonds appear white to the naked eye, but they all include trace amounts of yellow color, with the most valuable diamonds falling in the colorless range. However, a deeply colored diamond such as a brilliant canary yellow diamond can cost more than its colorless counterpart.
Fancy diamonds, also called Z+ diamonds, come in a variety of colors including deep yellow, pink, orange, blue, red, and black.
Beside from these '4C' , many sellers include diamond appraisal (estimated retail value) and certification information in sellings. Certificates, official documents issued by third-party gemological labs, include specifics about an individual gem (at least the four Cs) independent of market value. It can include information about diamond quality, validation that a diamond is organic, and the serial number on the girdle of laser-inscribed diamonds.
To buy a quality diamond:
You have to look for reputable gemological labs: Make sure a reputable gemologist or gemological lab issued the grading certificate.
If you buy diamond online such as via ebay or amazon, you should evaluate the grading certificate's photo: Look for listings with a picture of the grading certificate and its serial number. Some labs offer online services where you can type in the serial number and verify that the lab graded the diamond and that the specifications are the same.
Finally, you should discover the origin of a diamond: Ask sellers for more information about their process for confirming the origin of their diamonds so you don't end up buying a conflict diamond.
Main reference ; from ebay review (http://pages.ebay.com/buy/guides/diamonds-buying-guide/#1 and http://review4best.blogspot.com/2008/02/2-diamonds-buying-guide.html)
The first 'C ' - Cut
Diamond shapes range from traditional round cuts to hearts, pears, and more. A well-cut diamond reflects light to maximize the stone's brilliance. Cut has three components:
Diamond cut grade: A standard grading report describes cut by the shape or outline of the diamond and the pattern of the facet arrangement (also known as cutting style).
Diamond cut depth: Diamonds cut too shallow or too deep lose light through the bottom or sides, causing the stones to sparkle less.
Diamond polish: A poor polish, or rough facets, can diminish a diamond's brilliance, as well as its value.
The second 'C '- Carat
Diamond size is measured by weight in carats or points. 1 Carat = 100 Points = 200 milligrams. Diamond prices rise considerably as carat weights increase.
The third 'C ' - Clarity
Most diamonds contain inclusions (tiny mineral traces or flaws) often invisible to the naked eye. A diamond's clarity is determined by the amount and severity of these inclusions. Flawless diamonds are very rare and more expensive. Diamond sellers often describe the clarity of larger, solitaire diamonds by referring to the industry letter grading scale. For example, the International Gemological Institute (IGI) uses the following grading scale for clarity:
The last 'C ' - Color
Most diamonds appear white to the naked eye, but they all include trace amounts of yellow color, with the most valuable diamonds falling in the colorless range. However, a deeply colored diamond such as a brilliant canary yellow diamond can cost more than its colorless counterpart.
Fancy diamonds, also called Z+ diamonds, come in a variety of colors including deep yellow, pink, orange, blue, red, and black.
Beside from these '4C' , many sellers include diamond appraisal (estimated retail value) and certification information in sellings. Certificates, official documents issued by third-party gemological labs, include specifics about an individual gem (at least the four Cs) independent of market value. It can include information about diamond quality, validation that a diamond is organic, and the serial number on the girdle of laser-inscribed diamonds.
To buy a quality diamond:
You have to look for reputable gemological labs: Make sure a reputable gemologist or gemological lab issued the grading certificate.
If you buy diamond online such as via ebay or amazon, you should evaluate the grading certificate's photo: Look for listings with a picture of the grading certificate and its serial number. Some labs offer online services where you can type in the serial number and verify that the lab graded the diamond and that the specifications are the same.
Finally, you should discover the origin of a diamond: Ask sellers for more information about their process for confirming the origin of their diamonds so you don't end up buying a conflict diamond.
Main reference ; from ebay review (http://pages.ebay.com/buy/guides/diamonds-buying-guide/#1 and http://review4best.blogspot.com/2008/02/2-diamonds-buying-guide.html)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)