Wedding Engagement Rings - Diamonds

What is a diamond?

Diamond is formed from tremendous temperatures and pressure inside the earth's surface. Latest studies suggest that the required temperature would be 690°F as well an intense pressure of 70,000kg to a square centimetre. These conditions would only be possible as deep as 120 miles below the surface of the earth. As a result of volcanic activity, the diamond is then brought to the surface. This process occurred between 75 and 120 million years ago.

Man has treasured diamonds for over 3000 years. They were given their name from the Greek word 'adamas' which translates to 'invincible' and have been awarded for their rarity and hardness. The full magnificence of a diamond was only discovered in the Middle Ages, when its facets were cut to the surface. The majority of the world's diamonds originated from India up until the 18th Century. These included many of the legendary stones that hold many of the famous myths and tales that we know today. The stone now visible in the Queen Mother's crown was first revealed in 1304 named as the Koh-i-noor (translating to 'Mountain of Light'). Also Prince Orloff passed on the Orloff, which acted as the eye of the Indian idol, to his former lover, Catherine the Great.

Discovery of the diamond in Brazil in the 18th Century meant that the country supplied the majority of the world's diamonds. As these mines were being uncovered, in the 1860's, more diamonds were found in South Africa. In 1905 in South Africa, the largest recorded diamond, the Cullinan, was discovered in the Premier mine. With a weight of approximately 1.5 pounds (over 3,000 cts) the diamond was presented to Edward VII, who had it cut down into 96 smaller diamonds and 9 major stones. The largest of the cut diamonds still weighed in at 530cts (named the Cullinan 1) holding the status as the largest cut diamond in the world. This is on display in the Royal Sceptre. In this day, Australia is the source and largest producer of diamonds worldwide, followed by Zaire, Botswana, Russia and South Africa. However there are countries that still produce stones including Venezuela, China, Brazil, and other parts of the African continent.

Diamond cuts

The 4 C's - Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat

Cut:
The cut is regarded as the most significant of the four C's, as a well cut diamond glistens more than any other jewel. Rays of light are directed into the diamond from facets (exact small planes). The diamond's fire and brilliance is then generated from this light reflecting outwards. 'Fire' is the extremity of the rainbow of colours dispersed from the diamond, and brilliance is the liveliness of it. It is important to differentiate between the "shape" and "cut" of a diamond.

Clarity:
The Clarity of a diamond is ascertained by the degree to which it is free of natural internal inclusions or imperfections. It is common for diamonds to possess some of these inclusions, but these are only visible through a jeweller's loupe (magnifying instrument used to examine and assess gemstones).

Colour:
The best diamonds are colourless, allowing the gem to cleanly reflect and retract the light. A letter scale rates the diamond on colour, with the top of the scale being 'D' (completely colourless) and the lower rating of 'Z'.

Carat:
The carat of a diamond refers to its weight, not size. A carat has 100 points. Therefore, a diamond of 25 points weighs a ¼ of a carat. Larger diamonds of one carat or higher are scarce and are valued higher per carat. Having a good understanding of the difference between diamonds and their characteristics will make sure that your chosen engagement ring will be a personal symbol of everlasting love and superiority.

*The 4C's tips are reproduced from non-copywrited publications