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Diamonds |
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Occurrence: South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Soviet Union, Angola, Zaire, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Ghana, Venezuela, Australia, Brazil. Descriptive Name:
Misleading Trade Names:
Valuation - How to Choose a Diamond: Becoming an educated consumer is not an easy matter when dealing with all the variables related to the purchase of a diamond. Literally, no two are the same; and size is only one consideration in determining the value. No matter how large or small the diamond of your choice, you will want it to the best quality you could afford. This is a summary to simplify the process of selecting a diamond by explaining the four factors, known as 4C's: Cut, Clarity, Carat-weight, and Color involved in determine the value of diamond. CUT: The first thing that comes to mind when talking about cut is actually the shape. The mot popular are round, marquise, oval, pear, emerald, brilliant, and princess. Shape is the essentially a matter of personal choice. However, cut involves much more than just shape. A master diamond cutter must understand how light is refracted and reflected by cut stone. When a diamond is cut the right proportions, light will dance from one facet to another and disperse through the crown of the stone. If the cut is too deep or shallow, light will escape through the side or the bottom. This will cut down drastically on the sparkle of the diamond.
Click on the picture to view larger version. CLARITY: Flawless diamonds are extremely rare and expensive. Most diamonds contain small flaws known as inclusions. Obviously, the fewer and smaller the inclusions, the more valuable the stone. Inclusions can interfere with a diamond's ability to handle light and, therefore cut down on the brilliance of the stone. A diamond must be viewed under 10-power magnification by a trained eye to determine it's clarity. Below is a chart for rating diamonds according to their clarity.
CARAT-WEIGHT: Bigger is not always better and this certainly hold true with diamonds. Diamonds are measured in carats.
It is very easy to measure the size and weight of a diamond, however, this alone does not determine it's value. Two diamonds of the same size and weight can vary drastically in value and clarity depending on the cut, color and clarity of the stone. Purchasing a diamond can be a very gratifying experience if one is armed with at least basic knowledge of how diamonds are graded. COLOR: The word color is a bit misleading since one is actually looking for a lack of color, in the stone itself that is. Diamonds can range from pale yellow to the very rare pink, blue, or green in color. However, it is the colorless or white diamond that, just as a prism, allows light to pass effortlessly through and be broken into a rainbow of colors. It is the reflected color that makes a diamond more desirable. GIA COLOR
12 Reasons to Purchase Gem Quality Diamond:
Personal Advice: Purchase diamonds as an investment, when you have extra disposal income and a strong knowledge in buying diamonds. Please do not take loans nor max your credit cards to purchase them. :-) Cleaning Guide: 1. Clean your jewelry often and before putting it back in your jewelry box. 2. Put on your jewelry only after you are done with your makeup and perfume. 3. Keep each jewelry item in a separate box to avoid the slightest possible damage. The gemstones and gold settings might be scratch by the diamonds or harder stones. 4. Check your jewelry for loose parts from time to time, and fix them as soon as possible. Look for worn prongs and loose settings. Tap it, shake it and feel every stone if it is loose. The diamonds might fall out. Many jewelers would look for you for free. 5. Do not wear jewelry while taking a shower, working out, swimming, gardening, or cooking. Rough activities might chip or damage your diamond. 6. A clean container with warm water and a little mild detergent, a soft brush are all you need to clean most of your jewelry. Some recommend using toothpaste. Run warm water through the jewelry when you are done cleaning. Avoid chlorine or bleach. 7. Diamonds should be kept in room or slightly below room temperature. Excessive heat or extreme cold temperature will fracture the stone. Also avoid sudden temperature changes, such as dipping your hand into the ice cold water. Other examples are taking a hot bath or contact with hot steam or oven in the kitchen. A sudden change of temperature will cause the stone to expand at different rate, thus causing it to fracture or shatter.
Metaphysical: Diamond is known as "the King of the Crystals", symbolizing the central "sun" of the solar system, a force which maintains itself as the perfect state, never requiring to re-charge. The ability of the diamond to dissipate light into flashing prisms conveys the force to enhance the powers of other minerals, bringing strength and endurance to the action of the energies. It was used during ancient times as a talisman against cowardice and was recognized as a "stone to enhance invulnerability". It rallies strength with age and maintains the energy to stimulate unity and love of oneself and of others. Traditionally, the power of the diamond worked only when the diamond was freely given; in ancient times it was given to insure love and harmony and to dispel anger. It is a reminder of ones goals towards spiritual awareness; as the evolution and growth required becomes manifest within the heart, one can transfer the feeling and the being to others, via the diamond. It is also known as a "stone of innocence", bringing forth purity, constancy, and the loving and open nature with which one came into the physical realm. It can instill the aspect of trust to relationships and situations, bringing confidence to ones emotional and intellectual characteristics, bringing fidelity to interpersonal associations. |
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