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Diamonds
(Supported by Aydın Güzeliş Jewellery (Rose Diamond))
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
Yes, a diamond engagement ring does symbolize everlasting love and a
lifetime commitment. But that doesn't mean you have to spend a lifetime
paying for it! Despite some jewellery industry recommendations to budget
approximately two months' salary, what to spend is completely up to you.
Only you know what makes sense for your particular situation. Fortunately,
diamonds are available in a wide range of qualities, sizes, and prices - and
each is unique - so you're bound to find one you'll both love at a cost you
are comfortable with.
What diamond shapes are available?
Although diamond cutters frequently create new shapes to accommodate
unusual rough crystals, the most common diamond shapes used for
diamond jewelry are round, pear, heart, marquise, oval, emerald and
princess cuts. There are other gemstone shapes used as side or accent
stones in jewelry, such as baguette, tapered baguette and trillion.
Can you use stones that I have sourced myself?
Yes we have done this on numerous occasions for our customers and we
decide whether we can use particular stones on a case-by-case basis.
DISCLAIMER:
As your own item has been made or obtained from elsewhere, we cannot
guarantee its nature, including its quality, authenticity, material or
construction. Therefore we accept no responsibility for any damage caused,
owing to the item’s unknown nature
Which shape is the most popular?
The round brilliant cut. Approximately 75% of all diamonds sold today,
particularly for engagement rings, are round.
Which shape offers the best sparkle?
Because a round diamond is symmetrical, it reflects nearly all light that
enters it. The round brilliant cut has been mathematically researched to
produce the maximum brilliance - liveliness or sparkle - and fire - variety
and intensity of rainbow colours - from the diamond's natural properties.
What is a facet?
A facet is a flat face or plane that has been cut and polished on a gemstone.
Facets are placed at varying angles to one another. The placement, angle
and shape of the facets are carefully planned and executed to maximize the
stone's inherent fire, colour and brilliance.
What are inclusions?
Inclusions are the tiny "birthmarks" inside the stone that make every
diamond unique. They refer to any mineral or crystal trapped within the
diamond crystal at the time it is being formed deep within the earth.
Do inclusions and colour affect sparkle?
Only to a degree. Sparkle relates to the diamond's brilliance - the intensity
of the white light reflected back to the eye when you look down into a
diamond. It is really the cut and proportioning of the stone that determines
its sparkle. In some instances, a small white or black inclusion could be
reflected within the stone.
Which quality characteristic affects the price of a diamond the most?
The "4 Cs" of a diamond - Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat - can be
considered independently or collectively. We suggest you consider the
value of a diamond based on all four characteristics, but also take into
account which feature is most important to you as the buyer.
Where do most diamonds come from?
For the last 150 years, most diamonds have come from Africa. The South
African diamond output was unrivaled until 1954 when major deposits
were found in Siberia. The biggest diamond discovery in history occurred in
1966 when South Africa's massive diamond deposits along the Orange
River were discovered. Currently, Western Canada is the site of the
world's newest diamond rush. Diamond deposits also can be found in
Africa, the United States, Australia and China.
Why are diamonds so rare and expensive?
When mining diamonds, it takes approximately 23 tons of blueground - the
earth in which diamonds are formed - to yield 5 carats of rough diamond
material. Furthermore, only 20% of any diamonds recovered are gem
quality, while the remaining 80% are suitable only for industrial purposes.
Can you scratch a diamond?
Yes, but only with another diamond. The diamond is the hardest substance
known to man and is almost 100 times more resistant to scratching than the
next hardest material.
If I hit my diamond will it crack or break?
It very well could. Even though the diamond is the hardest substance
known to man, it can still be damaged if struck hard and against the grain.
Think of the diamond's crystal structure as similar to the grain of wood.
There are growth lines as well as a "hard" and a "soft" direction. A blow
against the grain of a diamond can cause it to crack, chip, split or even
shatter. In fact, diamond cutters determine how to cut a stone based on
their understanding of the rough crystal's structure and growth lines.
Is a diamond a good investment?
Diamonds, at least those worn as engagement rings or other jewellery,
should be viewed as an investment in romance alone. While diamonds are
incredibly rare, they are at the mercy of the laws of supply and demand.
Rarity does come into play regarding price, but buying a diamond is not like
purchasing stock. Historically, diamond prices have not fluctuated greatly
from one year to the next. That could change, however, if diamonds
become more or less abundant over time.
What is a conflict diamond? (also known as Blood Diamonds)
Conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces
or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments,
and areused to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in
contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.
How can a conflict diamond be distinguished from a legitimate
diamond?
A well-structured 'Certificate of Origin' regime can be an effective way of
ensuring that only legitimate diamonds -- that is, those from government-
controlled areas -- reach market. Additional controls by Member States and
the diamond industry are needed to ensure that such a regime is effective.
These measures might include the standardization of the certificate among
diamond exporting countries, transparency, auditing and monitoring of the
regime and new legislation against those who fail to comply.
Who needs to take action?
Governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations,
diamond traders, financial institutions, arms manufacturers, social and
educational institutions and other civil society players need to combine their
efforts, demand the strict enforcement of sanctions and encourage real peace.
The horrific atrocities in Sierra Leone and the long suffering of the people of
Angola have heightened the international community's awareness of the need
to cut off sources of funding for the rebels in order to promote lasting peace in
those countries; such an opportunity cannot be wasted.
The international diamond industry is already taking steps to respond, such as
the adoption by the World Diamond Congress, Antwerp, 19 July 2000, of a
resolution which, if fully implemented, stands to increase the diamond
industry's ability to block conflict diamonds from reaching market. Other
efforts include the launching, at the initiative of African diamond-producing
countries, of an inclusive, worldwide consultation process of Governments,
industry and civil society, referred to as the Kimberly Process, to devise an
effective response to the problem of conflict diamonds.
What is the United Nations doing?
The tragic conflicts in Angola and Sierra Leone, fuelled by illicit diamond
smuggling, have already led to action by the Security Council. Under Chapter
VII of the United Nations Charter, targeted sanctions have been applied
against UNITA in Angola and the Sierra Leone rebels, including a ban on their
main source of funding -- illicit diamonds. Diamond sanctions have also been
applied against Liberia but are not yet in effect.
Please look for more information on conflict diamonds:
http://www.dtc.com/conflictfree/
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