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Diamonds are the most prized and highly valued of gemstones. Diamonds have been admired by royalty and worn as a symbol of strength, courage and invincibility. Over the centuries the diamond acquired the unique status as the ultimate gift of love, in myth and reality. It is the hardest know substance yet has the chemical composition, consisting of crystallized carbon, the chemical element that is fundamental to all life. Diamonds come in many colours and their optical properties are stunning. They disperse light into the colour of the rainbow and sparkle far more than any other gemstone.

 

Diamond Colour Grading

Colour is a very important characteristic of gemstone and it is one of the key factors to be considered when determining the value of the diamond. The ideal colour is the total absence of all body colour (colourless) except in fancy colour diamonds, such as yellow, pink, blue, green, purple, brown, black and the very rare red. A very precise scale of colour grading, as defined and developed by the GIA, is universally used today in the diamond trade. The colour grade begins with the letter D, representing the rarest colourless diamond, and descends to the letter Z, Which has a slight hint of yellow or brown.

• Colourless: D, E, F
• Near Colourless: G, H, I, J
• Faint Yellow: K, L, M
• Very Light Yellow: N, O, P, Q, R
• Light Yellow: S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

 

Diamond Clarity

The clarity of a diamond is assessed by examination of imperfections that is inclusions (Internal objects) and blemishes (external marks) under 10x magnification.

Almost all diamonds contain minute traces of non-crystallized carbon or small non-diamond crystals and are nature’s fingerprint.

Most of such imperfections are not visible to naked eye and require magnification to be detected. However, the fewer there are, the rarer diamonds without any inclusions or blemishes are exceptionally rare.

• FL: (Flawless) No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
• IF: (Internally Flawless) No inclusions, only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
• VVS1 and VVS2: (Very, Very Slightly Included)Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.
• VS1 and VS2: (Very Slightly Included)Inclusions are clearly visible under 10x magnification but can be characterized as minor.
• SI1 and SI2: (Slightly Included)Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
• I1, I2 and I3: (Imperfect) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance.

 

Diamond Cut

A well-cut diamond can perform breathtaking ways, resulting in a magnificent display of three important diamond attributes:

• Brilliance – the total light reflection from a diamond
• Fire – the dispersion of light into the colour of the spectrum
• Scintillation – the flashes of light, or sparkles, when a diamond moved

An understanding of a diamond cut begins with the shape of a diamond, of which there is a wide variety, the most popular being the round brilliant cut, All other shapes are known as fancy shapes.

The proportions of a diamond refer to the relationship between table size, crown angle and pavilion depth. A wide range of proportion combinations are possible, and these ultimately affect the diamond interaction with light.

The finish has two aspects: polish, referring to the overall condition of a diamond facet surface; and symmetry, which refers to the shape and placement of the facets. These factors, along with the thickness of a diamond’s girdle, affect its cut grade.

 

Diamond Cut Grade:

• Excellent
• Very Good
• Good
• Fair
• Poor

Diamond Producing Countries

Angola, Australia, Botswana, DR Congo, Zimbabwe, Canada, Namibia, Russia, South Africa.

 

Major Cutting Centres

Antwerp, New York, Tel Aviv and Surat.

 

World’s leading Diamond Mining Companies

Alrosa, De Beers, Rio Tinto, Dominion Diamonds & Petra Diamonds

 

Popular diamond shapes

Round Brilliant Cut, Princess Cut, Marquise Cut, Emerald Cut, Asscher Cut, Cushion Cut, Radiant Cut, Pear Shape, Oval Shape, Heart Shape, Trilliant Cut.