Diamond Information
Rapaport Diamond Prices
Tuesday, November 13th, 2007Diamond Prices – For many, the diamond prices that dealers charge for loose stones and engagement rings seem nothing short of a mystery. How can this tiny little inconspicuous rock be worth thousands of dollars? How do they determine those prices? If you are in the market for a Diamond Engagement Ring, Diamond Stud Earrings or just interested in learning about loose diamonds, this little article should shed some light on the diamond pricing process. The Rapaport Diamond Report is a pricing matrix that lists the standard cash asking value for specific diamonds based on shape, carat, color and clarity. This Diamond pricing guide is the international standard used to determine diamond prices in all of the industry’s ... Read More
WHAT IS DIAMOND FLUORESCENCE?
Monday, October 15th, 2007FLUORESCENCE is sometimes the result of the element Boron being present when the Carbon gasses are solidifying into a diamond. It can make some diamonds appear to change color when exposed to ultraviolet light. Fluorescence can also sometimes cause a diamond to appear cloudy or milky. There are different types of fluorescence, and it can influence the value of a diamond. Read More
WHAT IS DIAMOND CLARITY?
Monday, October 15th, 2007CLARITY refers to the type, frequency and size of the imperfections or flaws in a diamond. These flaws can show up in a number of different forms (feathers, pinpoints, black carbon, crystals et al). In most instances, the “cleaner” a diamond is in terms of clarity, the more valuable it is. Clarity is graded as: Flawless (FL), Internally Flawless (IF), very, very slightly included (either VVS1 or VVS2), very slightly included (either VS1 or VS2), slightly imperfect (either SI1, SI2 or SI3), and imperfect (either I1, I2 or I3). By strict grading standards, many times diamonds can appear to be clean to the naked eye even up to SI1 or SI2 clarity grades. Read More
WHAT IS DIAMOND COLOR?
Monday, October 15th, 2007COLOR has to do with the degree of color –most often yellow or brown—that a diamond has in it. Diamonds are made of Carbon. Pure carbon is completely clear. And when elements like Nitrogen or Boron or Hydrogen are present when the diamond is forming, variations in color can result. With regard to white diamonds (the “traditional” diamond), generally speaking, the more “off white” a diamond is, the less valuable it is. Diamond grading systems refer to diamond color as a letter. D is the highest color grade a diamond can get (the most white) and Z the “most yellow” before a diamond enters into the Fancy Color category. Read More
WHAT IS DIAMOND CARAT WEIGHT?
Monday, October 15th, 2007CARAT refers to the weight of the diamond. It is 1/5 of a gram or 200 miligrams. In many instances, the greater the carat weight of a diamond, the bigger the diamond will appear. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes the way a particular diamond has been cut OR a diamond’s shape can have a greater influence on the appearance of a diamonds size. Also, it is important to keep in mind that carat weight is one of many factors that influences the value and cost of a diamond. Read More
The Best Way to Clean Your Diamond
Thursday, October 11th, 2007Diamonds are, for all intents and purposes, impervious to any sort of dirt and grime. They are the hardest naturally formed substance on earth and can withstand tremendous temperature variances and wear without effect. So when a diamond, after time, appears to dull a bit, the cause is usually simply surface impurities like skin oil, lotion, dirt, or hamburger-helper. Most jewelry stores will have take home jewelry cleaners that you can use. But simple solution of warm water and ammonia and very gentle scrubbing with an soft bristle toothbrush will work very well. Be very careful with small prong set or pave diamonds in finished jewelry. Scrubbing too hard can loosen and sometimes dislodge diamonds. I recommend a very gentle ... Read More
How to Check the Clarity of Your Diamond
Thursday, October 11th, 2007Diamonds contain naturally occurring impurities known as inclusions. They may occur internally in the form of tiny fractures, feathers, clouds or crystals and externally as scratches and fissures. They are caused by trace minerals and other impurities that may be present or by irregularities in the natural process of diamond formation. Obviously, the best, most beautiful diamonds in the clarity category will be the ones with the least amount of inclusions. Diamonds are graded and identified uniquely according to the type and number of inclusions present in them. The GIA and the AGSL (gemological grading institutes) have a variety of clarity grades to qualify them on the basis of detailed and stringent rules and regulations. FL Diamonds: Flawless: No flaws; neither internal ... Read More