Diamond jewelries, although expensive, are becoming popular gifts not only for engagements, but also for anniversaries, birthday and other joyous occasions. Diamond jewelry shopping could be a bit overwhelming, since there are national chains and local jewellers which could provide what you want. Another place to search and purchase diamond jewelries is on the internet.
More people are choosing online shops rather than personally buying the jewelry from the shops. Mainly, it is because the price tends to be more affordable when buying things online. Aside from the difference in the cost, there are also more choices in online shops. It would also give you enough time to make a guided decision and learn more about diamonds. It would even make jewelry hunting easier, since you can do this while at home or in the office.
If you have chosen to purchase online, there are guidelines that should be considered to make sure that you will be getting your money’s worth.
• When buying jewelries online, always look for shops that would display their business registration number. They would also be displaying company contact information. You could start by checking if these online shops are credible enough by calling the company offices. You could also check online stores by sending them e-mails. Immediate reply to your call or e-mail would show how much the company value its customers.
• Always check the money-back guarantee. There are online stores that would offer diamond and other kinds of jewelries in low prices, only to find out that they have no-return policies in the fine print.
• Once the online purchase is finished, it is available to take the jewelry to a trustworthy jeweller for inspection. If your jeweller decides to use a loupe or a scope to examine it, make sure that your jeweller would be done with the inspection before the return-policy expires. This would help you get an idea if your purchase would be worth its price, if not, then you could return it.
• Don’t immediately buy the diamond jewelry that would catch your eye. Continue with searching for similar diamond jewelry that could cost you lower.
• When purchasing the diamond, always ask for the diamond certification or grading report. This would ensure that your jewelry was properly inspected and documented.
• When buying diamond jewelry online, using your credit card for purchase would be a good idea. There are some credit card companies who would prevent or intervene if the product purchased or site is fraudulent. Check with your bank if they would be able to do this for you in case you would run into a problem.
Online shops and stores could be convenient but safety and precaution should be followed when purchasing on the internet. Regardless of any kind of product you will be buying, research is very crucial.
There are also organizations which you could approach to learn more about a particular business or assistance regarding a problem with a purchase. There are also local programs which could help in resolving disputes about jewelry, even diamond jewelry disputes.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Not Just Natural: Colored Diamond Jewelry
Contrary to what we commonly know, diamond jewelries are not always clear. Colored diamonds are becoming more popular compared with the usual white and transparent diamonds even though naturally colored diamonds are more expensive. Some companies are giving some of their diamonds color treatment to make it more suitable for some customers, budget-wise.
Treating diamonds with color would be by inducing the stones into extremely high heat to change the color. It could also be painted. When appraising color-treated diamonds, they tend to be more affordable since the color are less intense compared with the natural ones.
There are different shades and colors for naturally colored diamonds. But there are popular color shades and combinations, they are the pink, blue, brown, yellow, orange, green and red. Interestingly, there are also black diamonds. Yellow colored diamonds are the most common, while those in red, blue and green are the rarest.
When buying naturally colored diamonds, they are evaluated and checked just like the white and transparent ones. The 4 Cs are still used in grading colored diamonds: cut, clarity, color and carat. However, the way or the factors how colored diamond are inspected are different.
• Color. Naturally colored diamonds’ value would depend on the intensity of its color and its hue. The more intense and vivid the color is, the value of the diamond also increases. There would be times when there are traces of other color. If the traces of the secondary color magnifies the beauty of the stone, then that would be great for the value of the stone. But if the underlying color is not complementing the main color, then it lowers down the diamond’s value.
• Cut. A diamond’s cut gives the brilliance to the diamond. The cut would enhance the intensity and the shade of the diamond’s color. Most colored diamonds are in round, oval, and princess cuts. There are also some that would be heart shaped and other unique shapes.
• Clarity. Clarity is important for white and transparent diamonds, but for naturally-colored diamonds they may not be as important.
• Carat. Carat is all about the weight of the diamond and not about the size. Of course, the bigger it is the heavier it will be. The heavier the colored diamond, the higher its value.
Just like when purchasing white diamonds, obtain a grading certificate from the retailer. Make sure that the certificate is issued by international laboratories like the IGI, GIA or EGL. This certification would be your assurance that what you have bought is indeed a natural colored diamond and not a stone that was tampered with.
The most popular colors would be in yellow and pink. There are celebrities who fancy wearing colored diamonds. Over the years, the demand for other colors is also increasing. Another subject of curiosity would be the black diamond which is sometimes associated with both luck and being unlucky. Most legends would say that black diamond jewelries are cursed and would bring bad fortune to those who own it. But different from other colored diamond jewelries, black diamonds are mainly used for industrial purposes.
Treating diamonds with color would be by inducing the stones into extremely high heat to change the color. It could also be painted. When appraising color-treated diamonds, they tend to be more affordable since the color are less intense compared with the natural ones.
There are different shades and colors for naturally colored diamonds. But there are popular color shades and combinations, they are the pink, blue, brown, yellow, orange, green and red. Interestingly, there are also black diamonds. Yellow colored diamonds are the most common, while those in red, blue and green are the rarest.
When buying naturally colored diamonds, they are evaluated and checked just like the white and transparent ones. The 4 Cs are still used in grading colored diamonds: cut, clarity, color and carat. However, the way or the factors how colored diamond are inspected are different.
• Color. Naturally colored diamonds’ value would depend on the intensity of its color and its hue. The more intense and vivid the color is, the value of the diamond also increases. There would be times when there are traces of other color. If the traces of the secondary color magnifies the beauty of the stone, then that would be great for the value of the stone. But if the underlying color is not complementing the main color, then it lowers down the diamond’s value.
• Cut. A diamond’s cut gives the brilliance to the diamond. The cut would enhance the intensity and the shade of the diamond’s color. Most colored diamonds are in round, oval, and princess cuts. There are also some that would be heart shaped and other unique shapes.
• Clarity. Clarity is important for white and transparent diamonds, but for naturally-colored diamonds they may not be as important.
• Carat. Carat is all about the weight of the diamond and not about the size. Of course, the bigger it is the heavier it will be. The heavier the colored diamond, the higher its value.
Just like when purchasing white diamonds, obtain a grading certificate from the retailer. Make sure that the certificate is issued by international laboratories like the IGI, GIA or EGL. This certification would be your assurance that what you have bought is indeed a natural colored diamond and not a stone that was tampered with.
The most popular colors would be in yellow and pink. There are celebrities who fancy wearing colored diamonds. Over the years, the demand for other colors is also increasing. Another subject of curiosity would be the black diamond which is sometimes associated with both luck and being unlucky. Most legends would say that black diamond jewelries are cursed and would bring bad fortune to those who own it. But different from other colored diamond jewelries, black diamonds are mainly used for industrial purposes.
New Best Friend: Man Made Diamond Jewelry
There is not doubt about the value of a diamond jewelry. Over the centuries, man are trying to create the perfect synthetic diamond, something that will look like a diamond jewelry on the naked eye.
As early as 1893, there are already attempts in creating substitutes to diamonds. The first attempt to make a man made diamond was done by Frederic Henri Moissan which involved heating charcoal and adding pressure that caused changes from the graphite into a diamond. But it was 1979 when mass production of diamond imitations became possible.
De Beers was the first to coin the term, “ A Diamond is Forever” during the 1940s. With this kind of advertising, diamond became the usual stone for engagement rings. Before, during 1930s, engagement rings would usually have opals, rubies and sapphires for their stone. The value of diamonds started to increase, so was the attempts to create a perfect synthetic diamond.
By 1955, General Electric produced small artificial diamonds which where of the same quality as industrial diamonds. Synthetic diamonds were created by exposing carbon dioxide to heat over a metal surface. The heat was created or generated by several lasers. Today, they are mass produced with production reaching as much as 100 tons every year.
Here are some lists of diamond imitating stones:
• Rock crystals or rhinestones are crystallized quartz which can look like a diamond, however, they could get easily scratched.
• Zircon is another kind of stone which could pose as a diamond. By exposing the stone to heat, it could turn colorless making it look like quartz and diamond. Just like rhinestones they could get easily scratched.
• Cubic zirconia is called the grandfather of artificial diamonds. As a diamond copy, it is synonymous with low-cot jewelry and not as a decent fashion accessory.
• Russian diamonds are also cubic zirconia stones. The difference is that they are of high quality and can cause about $280 per carat. These stones are usually mounted in metal settings that are worth real stones.
• Moissanite is another kind of stone which is created or made inside the laboratory. Just like a diamond, it is a hard kind of stone. Although they are relatively more affordable than diamonds, they are still expensive. Moissanite tends to give a greenish shade in natural light and may sparkle too much because its light reflection characteristics. These characteristics make it easier for some expert to differentiate a moissanite from a real diamond.
• Another best imitation of the diamond would be from the Diamond Nexus. The Nexus and the real diamond’s characteristics are so close together. The Diamond Nexus could cut glass due to its hardness and sparkle and can be just as brilliant as the real diamond. Because they are just being introduced in the market, they considerably cost lower.
• Gemisis cultured diamond is another diamond copy. The difference with the real diamond is that they cannot be made into a clear and white color.
• Other synthetic diamonds would be strontium titanate, artificial rutile and spinel.
There’s quite a number of synthetic or man made diamonds available. Buying them is not illegal, but if the jeweller is trying to sell of man-made diamonds as real diamonds, then there will be a problem. Which is why when buying diamond jewelry always ask for certification. If you would like to buy a nice present for a loved one but would like to stay within budget, then buying man-made diamond jewelry is not a bad idea.
As early as 1893, there are already attempts in creating substitutes to diamonds. The first attempt to make a man made diamond was done by Frederic Henri Moissan which involved heating charcoal and adding pressure that caused changes from the graphite into a diamond. But it was 1979 when mass production of diamond imitations became possible.
De Beers was the first to coin the term, “ A Diamond is Forever” during the 1940s. With this kind of advertising, diamond became the usual stone for engagement rings. Before, during 1930s, engagement rings would usually have opals, rubies and sapphires for their stone. The value of diamonds started to increase, so was the attempts to create a perfect synthetic diamond.
By 1955, General Electric produced small artificial diamonds which where of the same quality as industrial diamonds. Synthetic diamonds were created by exposing carbon dioxide to heat over a metal surface. The heat was created or generated by several lasers. Today, they are mass produced with production reaching as much as 100 tons every year.
Here are some lists of diamond imitating stones:
• Rock crystals or rhinestones are crystallized quartz which can look like a diamond, however, they could get easily scratched.
• Zircon is another kind of stone which could pose as a diamond. By exposing the stone to heat, it could turn colorless making it look like quartz and diamond. Just like rhinestones they could get easily scratched.
• Cubic zirconia is called the grandfather of artificial diamonds. As a diamond copy, it is synonymous with low-cot jewelry and not as a decent fashion accessory.
• Russian diamonds are also cubic zirconia stones. The difference is that they are of high quality and can cause about $280 per carat. These stones are usually mounted in metal settings that are worth real stones.
• Moissanite is another kind of stone which is created or made inside the laboratory. Just like a diamond, it is a hard kind of stone. Although they are relatively more affordable than diamonds, they are still expensive. Moissanite tends to give a greenish shade in natural light and may sparkle too much because its light reflection characteristics. These characteristics make it easier for some expert to differentiate a moissanite from a real diamond.
• Another best imitation of the diamond would be from the Diamond Nexus. The Nexus and the real diamond’s characteristics are so close together. The Diamond Nexus could cut glass due to its hardness and sparkle and can be just as brilliant as the real diamond. Because they are just being introduced in the market, they considerably cost lower.
• Gemisis cultured diamond is another diamond copy. The difference with the real diamond is that they cannot be made into a clear and white color.
• Other synthetic diamonds would be strontium titanate, artificial rutile and spinel.
There’s quite a number of synthetic or man made diamonds available. Buying them is not illegal, but if the jeweller is trying to sell of man-made diamonds as real diamonds, then there will be a problem. Which is why when buying diamond jewelry always ask for certification. If you would like to buy a nice present for a loved one but would like to stay within budget, then buying man-made diamond jewelry is not a bad idea.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Modern Look: Hip-Hop Diamond Jewelry
What’s great about diamond jewelry is that it could go along with the latest fashion trend. There are different designs and styles that could make diamond jewelry fit different fashion, even Hip Hop. Hip Hop is the fashion trend that most of the young generation follow, even celebrities would follow the latest Hip Hop fashion style.
Hip Hop jewelry is often characterized as extravagant, flashy and catchy accessories that would also serve as status symbol for some. This would show or celebrate a person’s success and the quality of life they are experiencing. This is not just about showing extravagant and expensive jewelries, but is also about celebrating life. It is no different from how ancient cultures would use accessories. Bones, shells and other decorative pieces are used to indicate their status in their society.
Fashion jewelries for Hip Hop emerged during 1970s. Celebrities from different fields, music, film and sports would show up with the Hip Hop trend from ‘80s until the ‘90s. Until it was not only the celebrities showing up with this kind of fashion. Hip Hop jewelries started to become bigger and flashier as the years go by, along with its number of followers.
Nowadays, it is not unusual to see artists performing with chains, diamond rings and earrings, and watches encrusted with jewels. Hip Hop fashion is not only about the clothes and the accessories. It has become a lifestyle, living in extravagance, luxury and expression of success and celebration of the fruits of hard work.
Hip Hop jewelry can be made from variety of materials, it could be yellow or white gold, platinum, silver and diamond. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was mainly just gold. But later on, silver, platinum and diamond became more popular because of the brilliance and its slick feel. Hip Hop jewelry is often referred to as Bling-Bling. It did not only materialize in watches, rings and chains. It is also usual to see diamond or jewel encrusted belt buckles, dog tags, and other aspects of fashion.
With the increasing popularity of Hip Hop jewelry, there are also Bling-blings which are designed for those with simpler tastes. These kind of jewelries are becoming popular not only with the younger generation, but even with those who belong is a more mature age level. Diamond Bling-blings are great gift ideas for both men and women. There are different designs that could go easily with different occasions. Although, Hip Hop fashion is characterized as being flashy, there are also tone-downed designs which could be given to those who do not have flashy tastes.
But diamond and jewel encrusted jewelries are not the most affordable gift items. Actually, they can be very hard on wallets. An option would be buying similarly designed jewelries but with imitation or synthetic diamonds. These diamonds are not naturally made or mined which make them more affordable, but they mimic the characteristics of a real diamond.
However, if you are decided on buying real diamonds for your Hip Hop fashion, always get a grade certification from the jeweller. This document would assure you that you got your money’s worth. If you are not up to extravagant spending, then you could settle for some man-made diamond jewelry with the Hip Hop feel. You could easily check for designs and costs on the internet.
Hip Hop jewelry is often characterized as extravagant, flashy and catchy accessories that would also serve as status symbol for some. This would show or celebrate a person’s success and the quality of life they are experiencing. This is not just about showing extravagant and expensive jewelries, but is also about celebrating life. It is no different from how ancient cultures would use accessories. Bones, shells and other decorative pieces are used to indicate their status in their society.
Fashion jewelries for Hip Hop emerged during 1970s. Celebrities from different fields, music, film and sports would show up with the Hip Hop trend from ‘80s until the ‘90s. Until it was not only the celebrities showing up with this kind of fashion. Hip Hop jewelries started to become bigger and flashier as the years go by, along with its number of followers.
Nowadays, it is not unusual to see artists performing with chains, diamond rings and earrings, and watches encrusted with jewels. Hip Hop fashion is not only about the clothes and the accessories. It has become a lifestyle, living in extravagance, luxury and expression of success and celebration of the fruits of hard work.
Hip Hop jewelry can be made from variety of materials, it could be yellow or white gold, platinum, silver and diamond. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was mainly just gold. But later on, silver, platinum and diamond became more popular because of the brilliance and its slick feel. Hip Hop jewelry is often referred to as Bling-Bling. It did not only materialize in watches, rings and chains. It is also usual to see diamond or jewel encrusted belt buckles, dog tags, and other aspects of fashion.
With the increasing popularity of Hip Hop jewelry, there are also Bling-blings which are designed for those with simpler tastes. These kind of jewelries are becoming popular not only with the younger generation, but even with those who belong is a more mature age level. Diamond Bling-blings are great gift ideas for both men and women. There are different designs that could go easily with different occasions. Although, Hip Hop fashion is characterized as being flashy, there are also tone-downed designs which could be given to those who do not have flashy tastes.
But diamond and jewel encrusted jewelries are not the most affordable gift items. Actually, they can be very hard on wallets. An option would be buying similarly designed jewelries but with imitation or synthetic diamonds. These diamonds are not naturally made or mined which make them more affordable, but they mimic the characteristics of a real diamond.
However, if you are decided on buying real diamonds for your Hip Hop fashion, always get a grade certification from the jeweller. This document would assure you that you got your money’s worth. If you are not up to extravagant spending, then you could settle for some man-made diamond jewelry with the Hip Hop feel. You could easily check for designs and costs on the internet.
Maintaining Your Diamond Jewelry
They say that diamonds are a girls’ best friend, then you would have to care for your bestfriend right? It’s so great to have beautiful diamond jewelry which you can use for special and formal occasions. Although, diamonds are hard stones, it is still important to care for them to avoid any kind of scratches or damage.
Here are some things to keep in mind when caring for your precious stones.
• It is best to avoid wearing your diamonds or gave them stained with oil, beaching liquid, or whenever you are doing heavy work. These may affect the lustre of your stone, metal bands and may even damage the texture. Bleach and other chemicals may discolour the metal bands.
• When keeping or storing your diamonds, separate it from other jewelries. It may scratch your other stones. Keep your diamonds individually packed since it can also be scratched by another diamond. If you cannot provide a box or you would have to store your jewelry in one box, then you could use cloth pouches or plastic sealing bags to keep them separately. Just make sure that the jewels are perfectly dry to avoid any moisture formation.
• Diamond settings need to be checked. You could take it to your favourite jeweller every year to check on the prong or the settings. If they are loose, then your jeweller could make repairs immediately. You could take it every six months to the jeweller, some would have their stones checked yearly.
• Clean your diamond jewelry every month. Its shine and brilliance could get affected by the oils and fats that it is exposed to. The oils and fats could be from your skin or from your cosmetics. You could always get a professional to clean it for you.
• You could cleanse your jewelry at home. Just drop it in tepid water with some liquid soap and brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a strainer when taking it out of the water to make sure that you are not losing any stone. Rinse it carefully with lukewarm water and dry it. Make sure to completely dry it since water could tarnish the bands and weaken the clasps.
• You could get ammonia mixture cleansers from your jeweller.
• Aside from bleach, chemicals and fats, extreme temperatures can also be harmful to your jewelry. It could cause some damage on the jewel’s cement or can fracture the gemstones.
• Avoid wearing your diamond jewelries when participating in sport activities or swimming.
• Diamonds that were altered may need a different kind of care. There are some diamond jewelries that have undergone treatment. There are some stones that have been fractured before and were treated with epoxies. Epoxies could melt in intense heat and eventually cause your diamond to fracture again. You could ask your trusted jeweller if your diamond jewelries have been altered in any way.
Always keep in mind that your diamond jewelries are indeed the hardest stone, but it does not mean that they will be able to last forever given that you are not taking care of it properly. Proper caring would surely make the shine last for a long time, even forever.
Here are some things to keep in mind when caring for your precious stones.
• It is best to avoid wearing your diamonds or gave them stained with oil, beaching liquid, or whenever you are doing heavy work. These may affect the lustre of your stone, metal bands and may even damage the texture. Bleach and other chemicals may discolour the metal bands.
• When keeping or storing your diamonds, separate it from other jewelries. It may scratch your other stones. Keep your diamonds individually packed since it can also be scratched by another diamond. If you cannot provide a box or you would have to store your jewelry in one box, then you could use cloth pouches or plastic sealing bags to keep them separately. Just make sure that the jewels are perfectly dry to avoid any moisture formation.
• Diamond settings need to be checked. You could take it to your favourite jeweller every year to check on the prong or the settings. If they are loose, then your jeweller could make repairs immediately. You could take it every six months to the jeweller, some would have their stones checked yearly.
• Clean your diamond jewelry every month. Its shine and brilliance could get affected by the oils and fats that it is exposed to. The oils and fats could be from your skin or from your cosmetics. You could always get a professional to clean it for you.
• You could cleanse your jewelry at home. Just drop it in tepid water with some liquid soap and brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a strainer when taking it out of the water to make sure that you are not losing any stone. Rinse it carefully with lukewarm water and dry it. Make sure to completely dry it since water could tarnish the bands and weaken the clasps.
• You could get ammonia mixture cleansers from your jeweller.
• Aside from bleach, chemicals and fats, extreme temperatures can also be harmful to your jewelry. It could cause some damage on the jewel’s cement or can fracture the gemstones.
• Avoid wearing your diamond jewelries when participating in sport activities or swimming.
• Diamonds that were altered may need a different kind of care. There are some diamond jewelries that have undergone treatment. There are some stones that have been fractured before and were treated with epoxies. Epoxies could melt in intense heat and eventually cause your diamond to fracture again. You could ask your trusted jeweller if your diamond jewelries have been altered in any way.
Always keep in mind that your diamond jewelries are indeed the hardest stone, but it does not mean that they will be able to last forever given that you are not taking care of it properly. Proper caring would surely make the shine last for a long time, even forever.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Light Performance And Your Diamond Jewelry
The one standout quality that diamond jewelry possesses (that makes them so desirable) is their ability to absorb light and disperse it back to the beholder. Humans have always been mesmerized by these light displays for centuries now.
In the jewelry industry, light performance is the description of how well a diamond stone returns the light to the viewer. These light properties described in light performance are brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Brilliance
Brilliance is how we perceive the diamond’s brightness. Normally, brilliance is not just the simple return of the light to the eyes of the beholder coming from the stone’s external and internal facets.
Brilliance is also more than just the scintillation, the availabilities of light sources and the contrasts. Included here would be the fluctuating variables of an imperfect human perception.
For some, brilliance is the most important feature to consider a diamond’s beauty. This is because once brilliance is compromised, the diamond’s fire and scintillation are both reduced, too.
Steep diamonds should be set in such a way that the light can enter in the pavilion and is reflected back out to the table (the stone’s top-most facet). Leakages are when a “window effect” is produced and the diamond can be seen through like plain glass.
Scintillation
The idea of scintillation had been thought of as alternating flashes of contrasting dark and brightness produced by facets, caused in turn by the viewer’s movement, the diamond or the illuminating source.
For some experts, defining and measuring scintillation cannot be done accurately, claiming that observations are always personal assessments.
Others would define it as a contrast for brilliant white or fiery colored sparkles that appear brighter to the human eye. “Sparkly” things always catch and attract attention.
One expert defines two kinds of scintillation. Static scintillation is “the amount and the placement of darkness in a diamond seen … [face-up view] in a jewelry store environment from a distance of 16 inches.” Dynamic scintillation “is the sparkle effect [one sees] when [any one of the] diamond, the light or the observer moves.”
Generally, scintillation is the total effect when small flashes of light are seen when the diamond, the light source or the viewer is moved. Consequently, a diamond that is cut and polished that gives off a high level of this quality is considered high in light performance.
There is a common assumption that diamonds with additional facets are more scintillating. (Strangely though, some customers likes better the bolder, blocky scintillation of the Old Mine cuts.)
Fire
The so-called fire in a diamond is its ability to disperse white light into its component colors. These are the spectral colors which are produced when the diamond disperses back the light like an expensive prism.
These flashes of color are more intense and more attractive, though.
However, maximum brilliance and maximum fire cannot be observed at the same time, with the same view and at the same point. Brilliance is best seen in well-lighted areas and fire appears better in a point-lit room.
Whichever quality attracts you to diamond jewelry – brilliance, scintillation, or fire – you certainly are one of those men and woman who had fallen to the magic charms of a very beautiful-looking stone.
In the jewelry industry, light performance is the description of how well a diamond stone returns the light to the viewer. These light properties described in light performance are brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Brilliance
Brilliance is how we perceive the diamond’s brightness. Normally, brilliance is not just the simple return of the light to the eyes of the beholder coming from the stone’s external and internal facets.
Brilliance is also more than just the scintillation, the availabilities of light sources and the contrasts. Included here would be the fluctuating variables of an imperfect human perception.
For some, brilliance is the most important feature to consider a diamond’s beauty. This is because once brilliance is compromised, the diamond’s fire and scintillation are both reduced, too.
Steep diamonds should be set in such a way that the light can enter in the pavilion and is reflected back out to the table (the stone’s top-most facet). Leakages are when a “window effect” is produced and the diamond can be seen through like plain glass.
Scintillation
The idea of scintillation had been thought of as alternating flashes of contrasting dark and brightness produced by facets, caused in turn by the viewer’s movement, the diamond or the illuminating source.
For some experts, defining and measuring scintillation cannot be done accurately, claiming that observations are always personal assessments.
Others would define it as a contrast for brilliant white or fiery colored sparkles that appear brighter to the human eye. “Sparkly” things always catch and attract attention.
One expert defines two kinds of scintillation. Static scintillation is “the amount and the placement of darkness in a diamond seen … [face-up view] in a jewelry store environment from a distance of 16 inches.” Dynamic scintillation “is the sparkle effect [one sees] when [any one of the] diamond, the light or the observer moves.”
Generally, scintillation is the total effect when small flashes of light are seen when the diamond, the light source or the viewer is moved. Consequently, a diamond that is cut and polished that gives off a high level of this quality is considered high in light performance.
There is a common assumption that diamonds with additional facets are more scintillating. (Strangely though, some customers likes better the bolder, blocky scintillation of the Old Mine cuts.)
Fire
The so-called fire in a diamond is its ability to disperse white light into its component colors. These are the spectral colors which are produced when the diamond disperses back the light like an expensive prism.
These flashes of color are more intense and more attractive, though.
However, maximum brilliance and maximum fire cannot be observed at the same time, with the same view and at the same point. Brilliance is best seen in well-lighted areas and fire appears better in a point-lit room.
Whichever quality attracts you to diamond jewelry – brilliance, scintillation, or fire – you certainly are one of those men and woman who had fallen to the magic charms of a very beautiful-looking stone.
Is Your Diamond Jewelry Real?
Given very few exceptions, diamond jewelry is the world’s most expensive in its class. Even those diamond items that are small or flawed still cost more than the best of the other gems.
It is small wonder, then, that some people would capitalize on this and put out fakes to rip off the unwary and make a fast buck for themselves. How does one make sure one’s diamonds are real?
As a layman, you can rely on your common sense and use some of the following random tips. Spotting a fake diamond may not be very easy (some con artists use very sophisticated techniques nowadays), but it can be done.
When all else fails and you cannot trust your judgment, you can always have your stone appraised by a competent professional jeweler.
Scratches
Check for scratches. As your elementary science had told you, diamonds are the hardest known element so far discovered in the universe. It stands to reason then that it cannot be scratched or gashed by anything softer.
Moissanite (which resembles a real diamond) and cubic zirconium (another diamond dead-ringer) both scratch easily. Ask your jeweler for a magnifying glass and check it yourself.
Personal tests
Breathe into a diamond. If it clears up fast, it’s real. If it takes the stone some seconds to evaporate the moisture, it might be a fake.
Hold the stone up to the light. If there is a rainbow of colors instead of shades of gray, your diamond could be a fake. It does not have a diamond’s real property to reflect light.
Sometimes, the setting and the mounting of the stone are both giveaways. Fake stones are usually set in inferior metals. Cheap stones and cheap settings usually go together. (The settings might also be plated in gold or silver to simulate the real things.)
Be forward about your purchase and ask about your diamond stone. Ask if your stone is a diamond or a moissanite.
The dealer should be able to provide the information. Some retailers have a “don’t ask, don’t tell policy”.
Best of all, ask for the stone’s certificate. If the diamond is real, dealers would be willing to issue such a certificate.
The best certificate comes from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the European Gemological Laboratories (EGL) if you are from the continent.
These organizations examine diamonds and issues grade reports on them. GIA and EGL are the two of the most respected laboratories acknowledged by the whole diamond industry in the world.
Be a sometime expert
If you have the inclination, the resources and the time, you may enroll at the American Institute of Diamond Cutting, for instance. This independent academy can train you to become a diamond expert.
Other companies, like the famous De Beers Group, have their retail personnel study at the Diamond Academy for a training course that provides information all about diamonds. Getting into the company will make you an expert, too.
Studying on your own all about diamonds will also fill you in with some essential information about the gem. Libraries and the Internet abound with information.
In the meantime, some of the tips on how to spot fake diamond jewelry can help. An inquisitive mind and a healthy skepticism are definitely advantageous.
It is small wonder, then, that some people would capitalize on this and put out fakes to rip off the unwary and make a fast buck for themselves. How does one make sure one’s diamonds are real?
As a layman, you can rely on your common sense and use some of the following random tips. Spotting a fake diamond may not be very easy (some con artists use very sophisticated techniques nowadays), but it can be done.
When all else fails and you cannot trust your judgment, you can always have your stone appraised by a competent professional jeweler.
Scratches
Check for scratches. As your elementary science had told you, diamonds are the hardest known element so far discovered in the universe. It stands to reason then that it cannot be scratched or gashed by anything softer.
Moissanite (which resembles a real diamond) and cubic zirconium (another diamond dead-ringer) both scratch easily. Ask your jeweler for a magnifying glass and check it yourself.
Personal tests
Breathe into a diamond. If it clears up fast, it’s real. If it takes the stone some seconds to evaporate the moisture, it might be a fake.
Hold the stone up to the light. If there is a rainbow of colors instead of shades of gray, your diamond could be a fake. It does not have a diamond’s real property to reflect light.
Sometimes, the setting and the mounting of the stone are both giveaways. Fake stones are usually set in inferior metals. Cheap stones and cheap settings usually go together. (The settings might also be plated in gold or silver to simulate the real things.)
Be forward about your purchase and ask about your diamond stone. Ask if your stone is a diamond or a moissanite.
The dealer should be able to provide the information. Some retailers have a “don’t ask, don’t tell policy”.
Best of all, ask for the stone’s certificate. If the diamond is real, dealers would be willing to issue such a certificate.
The best certificate comes from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the European Gemological Laboratories (EGL) if you are from the continent.
These organizations examine diamonds and issues grade reports on them. GIA and EGL are the two of the most respected laboratories acknowledged by the whole diamond industry in the world.
Be a sometime expert
If you have the inclination, the resources and the time, you may enroll at the American Institute of Diamond Cutting, for instance. This independent academy can train you to become a diamond expert.
Other companies, like the famous De Beers Group, have their retail personnel study at the Diamond Academy for a training course that provides information all about diamonds. Getting into the company will make you an expert, too.
Studying on your own all about diamonds will also fill you in with some essential information about the gem. Libraries and the Internet abound with information.
In the meantime, some of the tips on how to spot fake diamond jewelry can help. An inquisitive mind and a healthy skepticism are definitely advantageous.
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