Diamonds
Info & Facts
DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
The word diamond takes its name from the Greek adamas, which means unconquerable. A diamond is the hardest and purest substance found in nature and consists of pure carbon which has crystallized over millions of years.
CHOOSING your diamond
Diamonds are rare and costly jewels and it is therefore very important to make an informed decision in partnership with a reputable jeweller when choosing your precious gemstone. There are four cardinal rules (4 C’s) to follow when determining a diamond’s quality and therefore its value:
The cut of a diamond is a technical feature, and a certificate from an accredited laboratory and a gemmological trained jeweller will ensure the best-proportioned diamond.
- The better the cut, the finer the brilliance and the more valuable your stone. Diamonds are cut according to an exact mathematical formula to maximise light yield (brilliance grade) through the top of the stone. A finished round brilliant diamond will have 58 facets.
- Every facet must be exactly the same shape and size and perfectly aligned. Every facet acts like a mirror, endlessly magnifying the light within the diamond, focusing the light directly at the viewer through the crown, producing the ultimate brilliance.
Although the round brilliant is the most popular cut, there are many other beautiful shapes to choose from, including the heart, emerald, pear, oval princess and marquise.
See the chart for more details on CUT and shapes.
The less colour found in a diamond, the greater the value.
- Diamonds are formed in a range of colours from totally colourless – very rare and therefore extremely valuable – to pale yellow with an infinite range of shadings in between.
- Also rare and valuable are those with pure colour such as pink, blue, and even green. These are called fancies. Diamonds are graded according to GIA standards, whereby D is the highest quality or colour and Z the lowest.
See the chart for more details on COLOUR.
Diamonds reflect their natural process of crystallization where minute traces of other minerals can be trapped in varying degrees. This shows up as tiny black or white spots, bubbles or lines, known as inclusions.
- The number, size and position of these inclusions determine the clarity of a diamond. The fewer inclusions, the greater it’s clarity.
- Clarity is graded by using FL (Flawless), VSS (Very Very Small), VS (Very small), SI (Small inclusions) and I (Visibly included, and therefore not recommended).
See the chart for more details on CLARITY.
Diamond Care
Although diamonds are the hardest substance on earth, it is not indestructible. Proper care should be taken to ensure these gems do not scratch one another or damage other jewellery.
It is best to remove your diamond jewellery before strenuous activities or doing household work as a hard blow can chip the stone. Exposure during ordinary wear to household chemicals like chlorine; as well as hand cream and hairspray can cause build-up that dulls the surface of your diamond. Bleach can pit and discolour the mounting.
Clean your diamond regularly in a mild solution of one part ammonia, 1 part mild dish washing liquid and six parts water. Alternatively, jewellery cleaner liquid can be used. Dip your diamond jewellery in the solution, scrub gently with a soft brush, rinse in clear water and dry with a lint-free cloth. Periodic ultrasonic cleaning (at least once a year) by a reputable jeweller is recommended to clean hard-to-reach areas under the setting. Depending on the nature, nicks and scratches can be removed through polishing by a reputable stone cutter.
All diamond jewellery should be stored individually to prevent the diamonds from scratching one another or other jewellery.
Have your diamond setting (prongs and mountings) checked regularly. Use a reputable jeweller if repairs are necessary.