Diamond rings, diamond body jewelry, diamond belly rings, body jewelry, diamond jewelry

Diamond Fluorescence

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:43:09 +0000

Fluorescence is a form of light that is produced when ultra violet light enters a diamond. Most diamonds contain some degree of fluorescence, which ranges from very slight to very strong. Some designer diamonds rings contain little or no fluorescence which raises their value.

Sunlight and most forms of indoor light contain small amounts of UV light. However, in most cases, the fluorescent light emitted does not effect a diamond’s appearance. Fluorescence is most evident when a diamond placed under a UV lamp in a dark room. Under these conditions, a diamond will appear to have a blue glow. Some diamonds will appear to have a yellow or even a green glow. We suggest avoiding diamonds with a green or yellow tint.

Fluorescence has little or no effect on the appearance of most diamonds, and in diamonds with a color rating of J or lower, it may even enhance appearance. The blue glow of the fluorescent light and the yellow tint of the diamond tend to cancel each other out. However, diamonds in the colorless to near colorless range (D to F) may be affected by fluorescence. These diamonds may appear milky or oily due to their fluorescence. When purchasing a colorless diamond, we recommend selecting one with little or no fluorescence.

Remember, when determining an acceptable level of fluorescence, be sure to base your choice on the diamond’s color. A commonly accepted rule of thumb tells us that:

The higher (colorless) grades, D through F, will be adversely effected by fluorescence. They will appear milky or oily.

The middle grades, G through I, appear to have some tolerance for fluorescence. Mild to moderate amounts of fluorescence can be acceptable. However it is advisable to shy away from strong fluorescence with these color grades. Personal taste in the appearance of your diamond is suggested here.

The lower grades, J through M, can actually have their appearance improved by fluorescence. The blue of the fluorescent light, and the yellow tint from the diamond will have a tendency to cancel each other out, allowing the diamond to look whiter.

What makes up a diamond’s cut

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:31:52 +0000

The Diameter – Is the width of a diamond, measured through its widest part (girdle).
The Depth – Is the height of a diamond, measured from the table to the culet.
The Table – Is the flat part on the top of the diamond, which is also the largest facet on the stone.
The Girdle – Is the outer edge of the diamond, and is the widest part of the diamond. The girdle is rated by its thickness. Experts suggest seeking stones with girdles that are not too thick or too thin.
The Crown – Is the portion of the diamond that extends from the table (top) to the girdle (middle).
The Culet – Is the bottom point of the diamond. In many cases it contains a very small facet. The smaller the culet the better.
The Pavilion – Is the portion of the diamond that extends from the girdle (middle) to the culet (bottom).

Diamond Cut

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:27:52 +0000

Depth, width, roundness, and uniformity of facets determines the brilliance of a diamond. Of the 4 C’s, the cut of a diamond is the only one that we can actually control. A rough stone in the hands of a skilled craftsman can be transformed into a gem of true beauty.

How the cut influences the brilliance of a diamond

As light enters a diamond, it reflects off its many facets. This gives a diamond its brilliance and sparkle. The angles of the facets – in relation to the other facets on the top and bottom of a diamond – initially determine the quality of the cut. In addition, the top and bottom portions of the diamond must have the correct proportions in relation to each other. A stone that is cut too deep (or too shallow) will lose much of its brilliance, as shown in the diagram below. Finally, a well cut diamond will have a table, the flat upper surface of the diamond, with the correct size in relation to the overall size of the stone.

What does this mean? A well cut diamond will maximize the amount of light that reflects out of it. A poorly cut diamond allows the light to escape out its bottom and sides, reducing the overall brilliance of the diamond.

Diamond Color

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:25:36 +0000

A diamond is like a prism. White light enters and divides into a spectrum of color. This spectrum of light reflects in colorful flashes of light called fire. A diamond that contains color, from light yellow to brown, acts like a filter on the white light that enters it, and diminishes the spectrum of light that reflects out of the diamond.

So less color is better. A diamond’s color is determined by comparing it under controlled light to the Gemological Institute of America’s color scale. The most valuable and highly sought-after stones are those with no observable color. These stones are given a D rating on the color scale. This scale ranges from D to Z, as shown below.

Diamond Clarity

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:24:57 +0000

Surface irregularities and the amount of internal inclusions determine a diamond’s clarity. In order to determine clarity, an expert views the diamond under a magnification of 10x. The fewer internal inclusions and surface irregularities a diamond has the higher clarity rating it will receive.

A higher clarity indicates a more rare and valuable diamond. However, higher clarity does not necessarily mean a more beautiful diamond because many inclusions and surface irregularities are not visible to the human eye. At a clarity level of SI2, inclusions and surface irregularities cannot be seen by the average naked eye. Diamonds with a clarity rating higher than SI2 are sought after more for their rarity than for their increase in beauty.

Diamond Carat Weight

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:24:05 +0000

A carat is a measure of weight used when describing a diamond, though it is not true measure of size, due to the various shapes and volumes provided by the diamond’s cut. One carat however, is equal to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams.

Carat weight effects the value of a diamond exponentially. A 2 carat diamond is not twice as valuable as a 1 carat diamond, but more valuable. The reason is that a 2 carat diamond is much more rare than a 1 carat diamond, so it carries a price premium above and beyond its weight alone.

The value of a diamond is not based solely on carat weight. Cut, color, and clarity have just as much influence on the overall value of a diamond as its carat weight. The bottom line is that bigger is not always better. When choosing your diamond, determine your preference for each one of the 4C’s. Doing so will ensure you get the right diamond for you at the right price for you.