9th April 2018

Diamond

If you have a birthday this month you are probably well aware that your birthstone is one of the most valued gems Diamond. A Diamond is a solid form of carbon with a diamond cubic crystal structure. At room temperature and pressure it is metastable and graphite is the stable form, but diamond almost never converts to graphite. It has the highest hardness on Moh’s scale and this is why diamonds have often been used to cut metals hence where “diamond cut ” comes from.

When valuing a diamond we use four different categories, know as the 4Cs. These are

  • Carat which measures the size and weight of the diamond.

  • Clarity, this is how free they are from inclusions ( natural marks like birthmarks) and because of this how they reflect light. There is a scale for this which measures the inclusions size, Internally Flawless is the top on scale but these are very hard to come by.

 

  • Cut is the shape of the diamond. Diamond shape refers to the outline of the stone when viewed face up. Cutting style refers to its facet arrangement.

  • Colour, this is how near the  while coloured diamond is to white. This is also done on a scale ranging from D to Z ( D is the highest on the scale). This. is not to be confused with coloured diamonds as diamonds are available in many colours from pink to champagne to even black. Coloured diamonds are more expensive due to their rarity.

I am sure you all find all the different grading options confusing but that is why your local association of fine jewellers member is on hand to help. All our trained members and their staff are available to show you the many different options and explain clearly to you the different scales.

As diamonds last forever they have been synonyms with everlasting love. This is where the tradition of giving a diamond ring as an engagement ring came from. I am sure you are all familiar with the saying “A diamond is forever”

 

Diamonds are the birthstone for April and the anniversary stone for a 60th wedding anniversary  so if you have either to buy for this year call into your local jeweller from the Association to see their extensive collection of diamonds across their many jewellery lines.

 

Happy Birthday  to all those celebrating in April