Diamonds: Beauty Beyond Compare That Will Last Forever
One of the most desired gemstones; diamonds are a mineral as well as gemstone
. A carbon allotrope, diamond crystals are referred to as a diamond lattice, however, diamonds are best known for their strength, durability, and other physical qualities. These have made diamonds perfect for industrial strength use as well as for their beauty displayed in jewelry. The strength of diamonds is undoubtedly a result of its formation.
It takes between 1 and 3 billion years to form a true diamond. Though many techniques have been designed to create simulated diamonds, true diamonds are formed through high temperatures and high pressure and are revealed to the earth through forceful volcanic eruptions.
Diamonds have a natural hardness of 10, on Mohs scale of mineral hardness; this makes diamonds the hardest natural material known, according to the scale. The history of diamonds as a gemstone is varied. In 4th century BC, diamonds are mentioned in the works of Buddhists, and were referred to in Indian literature. By 3rd century BC, diamonds had spread to Brazil, China, and ancient Rome. As discovery of diamonds were made in Africa and Brazil, diamond became used for trade purposes. It was quickly becoming a high demand item for both industrial and ornamental uses.
Antwerp, Belgium is considered the Diamond center of the world as it has four diamond bourses (or exchanges), one is focused on bort and three are for gem goods. It is in Antwerp, Belgium where the International Gemological Institute is located. The IGI is the largest laboratory for diamonds and fine jewelry certification.
Diamond gemstones are defined by the four Cs. These include carat, cut, color, and clarity. Other factors affect the value or worth of diamonds, but the four Cs are the primary determining factors. Other factors inclu
de shape, color, and luminosity or fluorescence.
Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. Larger diamonds are of greater worth because their carat weight is increased. Since large natural diamonds are rare, these are worth much more and are often sought after for jewelry making. The price of a diamond isn't dependent upon carat weight alone, however. Buyer demands and other factors contribute. The Rapaport Diamond Report publishes a weekly diamond price list that is used by those in the industry.
Clarity defines the amount of defects, or inclusions, present in the diamond. Inclusions may consist of cracks or other imperfections and are identified with the use of magnification. A gemologist will study a diamond under magnification to determine its clarity: the higher the clarity the greater the worth of the diamond. Diamonds are graded on a scale that begins with flawless and ranges to imperfect.
The third "C" is Color and natural diamonds are graded according to their color. Colorless diamonds are graded "D". Color grades range from D to Z. According to the GIA color scale D-F is colorless, G-J is near colorless, K-M is faint yellow, N-R is very light yellow, and S-Z is very light yellow. Rare diamonds, however, may come in a wide variety of other colors.
The final "C" is Cut and there is a precise art and skill used in the technique of diamond cutting. All natural diamonds begins as rough, uncut stones that must be cut and polished. The technique used to cut a diamond will determine the amount of light the diamond reflects. Diamond cutting is based upon mathematical guidelines that have been practiced and developed for centuries. The beauty and strength of diamonds have led them to be one of the most sought after minerals and gems worldwide.
by: Frank Adams
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