What to Know About Diamonds

Before you go buying diamonds, know what makes them so attractive, valuable and timeless

As the most valuable of the precious stones, diamonds have been the focus of attention by artists, writers, wealthy, and religions for centuries. In almost all cultures, people in general value diamonds because they represent status, beauty, perfection and wealth. There are people who will spend a great deal of money to get that perfect piece of diamond jewelry, for a variety of reasons.

Both men and women desire diamonds for different reasons, but diamonds are especially significant for women, representing beauty, class and status for the wearer.

There have been people who commited murder or will endure a great deal of trouble to steal diamonds. Much of this has been illustrated through different movies about diamonds - from light-hearted approach in Diamonds are Forever Bond movie with Sean Connery, to more serious Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio.

Diamonds as symbol of status

Diamonds are especially significant for many women especially as they represent status, beauty, and class for the wearer. Owners of the larger diamonds are held in high regard by admirers, as these people are perceived as special and high status. It's no wonder that diamond auctions attract multi-million dollars bids, and even tens of millions, for their beauty, status symbol and extraordinary physical properties.

Religious and mystical quality

But diamonds have also a religious-mystical quality in various religions, such as the Diamond Sutra in Tibetan Buddhism is one of the most beloved texts.

The devotional statues of Hindu gods had diamond eyes, as diamonds were thought to be treasured gifts from the gods.

The ancient Greeks also associated diamonds with the tears of their gods. In fact, the name "diamond" comes from the ancient Greek word, adamas, which means invincible. This is because diamonds have indestructible qualities.

Throughout history diamonds have been valued not only for their intrinsic beauty, but also religious and mystical qualities.

Many factors enter into pricing of a diamond rings, such as the value of the diamond and the ring setting, such as gold, silver or platinum.

Industrial use of diamonds

Diamonds also can be used as tough, abrasive tools as well as set in a stunning piece of diamond jewelry by craftspersons and jewelry designers.

The reasons why diamonds are so unique are:

• Diamonds are one of the two main forms of carbon (along with graphite) that can only be scratched by other diamonds.
• They are a dynamic conductor of heat.
• They are excellent cutting tools that are used in various industries.

The solid durability and the ability of diamonds to to reflect light are qualities which make them useful for industry and for a beautiful piece of jewelry. It takes over two tons of mined ore to find a quality diamond that can be used for a good piece of jewelry, so diamonds are certainly unique and special.

Polishing of diamonds

A mined diamond is taken to a diamond cutter in order to be cut and shaped into a round shape to be prepared to be sold for jewelry. The cutter attempts to cut the diamond to show the reflecting light from the various facets of the cut stone. The reflecting light, or the fire, is the most important attraction of a beautifully cut diamond.

Diamond cutters treat diamond cutting as an art, because the light relecting from the diamond must be cut in such a way that is as attractive as possible. The job is finished when it is polished. Some of the best known and famous diamonds have taken a year to be properly cut.

Throughout history many cultures have valued diamonds for their beauty, attraction, intrinsic value and wealth status they represent.

Well-known diamonds

Over the years, there have been many well-known diamonds that have been found and named after the owners, people, or places. These diamonds are usually quite large and have a great deal of value attached to them. In addition, they have no "name brand" as an authentic diamond is a product of nature not anything manufactured.

The value of the diamond is not based on where the diamond was mined: it could be in India, Russia, Africa, Canada, Australia, and other countries. Diamonds can be formed from the magma from volcanic eruptions, plates of the earth crashing together, and even more rarely from glaciers.

Pricing of diamonds

People often wonder how a particular piece of diamond jewelry is assigned a price tag. The use of different types of gold or platinum for the setting, the quality of the diamond, and many more factors come into play.

To determine the price, a company may be called in to appraise the diamond's properties, known as the 4 C's:

• its weight in carats,
• diamond clarity,
• diamond cut and
• its colour.

When the results are finalized with the assessment of the diamond, it is then bought by a diamond dealer. He will then try to sell it to a professional jeweler, who in turn will try to sell it retail to the consumer.

As part of romance and wedding preparation, romantic couples go shopping for diamond rings that will last them a lifetime.

Buy only certified diamonds

If a consumer would like to get an assessment or certification for a diamond, the GIA, which is the Gemological Institute of America would be a good place to get the work done. It is considered more accurate than a jeweler. There are three more diamond certificates available, but GIA is most universally accepted.

After the results, the consumer can try to read a diamond cutter's guide to try to interpret the results. It is not advisable to try the Diamond Calculators on the Internet, as they are not considered accurate. Remember that the Diamond Grading Report is considered the main resource for the serious shopper.

Summary

In sum, we can see that diamonds probably will never lose their luster, attraction and significance in all cultures. Today, they signify true love, hope, and promise for those seeking engagement or wedding rings. It is often a romantic and intimate occasion for couples to go shopping for rings. Luckily, there are a broad array of diamond rings suitable for many budgets. And it is a very personal choice in the selection of the diamond ring; after all, diamonds last a very long time!