The Diamond is the hardest known natural mineral gemstone that is the allotrope of carbon realigned into a crystal. It is a highly priced gem that is incorporated into jewelry and most popular in today's culture mounted in an engagement ring. Diamonds are judged by what are known as the 4 C's, namely carat, clarity, color, and cut.http://www.original-diamonds.com/jewelry_knowledge_facts.php
Diamonds are available in a wide variety of colors, the more common being white, brown, and gray. Other more unique colors are blue, green, black, pink, violet, orange, purple and red. Colored diamonds are know as"fancies".http://www.sdnhm.org/exhibits/diamonds/facts.html
Diamond Formation
The lithospheric mantle beneath the surface of the earth is great groundwork for the diamond due to the high pressure and low temperatures that are required. The lithospheric layer lies in the depths of the earth's crust, therefore offering an organic pressure and temperature which begin to crystallize the minerals. Such diamonds are typically 1 to 3 billion years old once they have come to the Earth's surface.http://www.original-diamonds.com/jewelry_knowledge_facts.php
Diamonds can also be formed when a high pressure event such as a meteorite impacts the earth. Due to the impact, high pressure and great temperature shift create an environment that can create a type of micro-diamond.http://www.original-diamonds.com/jewelry_knowledge_facts.php
Understanding the 4 C's
- Cut: The cut of the diamond should not be confused with the shape. The shape refers to the outward appearance, while the cut refers to the reflective qualities of the stone. A diamond's cut is the most important feature because it demonstrates how bright and brilliant a stone is. A diamond's cut can be categorized into five grades: ideal, premium, very good, good, and fair/poor.http://www.hwgem.com/diascale.htm
- Clarity: This refers to the presence of identifying characteristics on (blemishes) and within (inclusions) the stone. Diamonds are graded for clarity using the following scale:http://www.hwgem.com/diascale.htm
- F: Flawless
- IF: Internally Flawless: some outward marks
- VVS1-VVS2: Very Very Slightly Included, minute inclusions
- VS1-VS2: Very Slight Included, minute inclusions
- SI1-SI2: Slightly Included, minute inclusions detectable to naked eye
- I1-I2-I3: Clearly visible characteristics
- Color: This does not include fancy color diamonds, but rather the presence or absence of color in white diamonds. The highest rating is D and goes all the way down to X.http://www.hwgem.com/diascale.htm
- Carat: This is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured.http://www.hwgem.com/diascale.htm
How to Tell if a Diamond is Fake
The gemologist in this video describes various ways of telling if a diamond is fake and the reasons these techniques are valid.
The initial method is to lay the diamond on its front on a piece of paper and look through it from the back. If you are able to see the paper, then the stone is not a diamond.
As an experienced gemologist he is also able to distinguish between fake and real by studying the edges of the cuts, they will be very sharp on a diamond but more rounded on a fake.
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Here is a video of the iconic Marilyn Monroe singing the song that is most identifed with her, and with girls in general. The video inspired the 1980's video to Material Girl by Madonna.
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
65% come from African countries
-
Fact:
Colored diamonds are called "fancies."
-
Fact:
Most diamonds are over three billion years old
-
Fact:
Have recently been an issue of controversy over the sale of conflict diamonds by African military groups
-
Fact:
Judged by cut, clairty, color and carat
