Truth Secret about Diamonds

It used to be that only real jewelry was valuable and that in order to feel special and privileged, one must wear a real diamond. However, with the controversy that has unfolded over conflict diamonds, or blood diamonds over the last decade, many people have felt more proud and confident to wear synthetic diamonds.

Synthetic diamonds are referred to as lab-created diamonds or manmade diamonds. One of the reasons why they are becoming more popular amongst people today is because recent lab technology has made synthetic diamonds appear real and exceptionally beautiful. Not only are they dazzling to the eye, but synthetic diamonds are a wonderful alternative to real diamonds because they are much lower in price. In fact, purchasing a well made synthetic diamond is almost impossible to distinguish between a real diamond.

Traditionally, people believed that if you bought a synthetic diamond, you couldn’t afford a real diamond. Yet with the public awareness of conflict diamonds, which fund the rebel troops of South African countries, many people are hesitant to purchase real diamonds despite their financial situation. Even with the Kimberly Process in place, which makes the selling of conflict diamonds illegal, many buyers find that they cannot be guaranteed that their diamond purchase is conflict-free since the origins are often unknown.

Even more encouraging is that many actresses including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have been shown sporting around beautiful synthetic diamonds in order to raise awareness that they are a viable and safe alternative to purchasing real diamonds. Not only are you getting a beautiful piece of jewelry that is conflict-free, but many people are starting to see diamonds as being nothing more than a con to unsuspecting people.

For example, the prices of diamonds are controlled by diamond cartels and do not reflect the true value of the diamond itself. For this reason, people find themselves paying 40% more than what they should, primarily on such things as diamond engagement rings. In addition, studies show that one out of three diamonds in the United States has been altered in order to increase its value. This “value” however is only artificial to the eye and does not reflect the diamond’s true value.

There are many choices of synthetic diamonds on the market today, including cubic zirconia, moissanite and Russian diamonds. Keep in mind that while you can save thousands in purchasing a synthetic diamond, it will be nearly impossible for anyone to know.

Filed under: Articles | No Comments »

At one time in the not so distant past producing money back guarantee diamonds was done strictly for the purpose of selling to jewelers. Now those very same industry specialists are allowing the general public the opportunity to get their ready hands on money back guarantee diamonds that have been authenticated and appraised for the asking price.

Not only are the diamonds authentic and/or certified, they are also guaranteed to be conflict-free. In fact, the only way these precious gems can enter the United States of America is if they are accompanied by a valid Kimberley Report Certificate. It is always good to be sure the certificate is legitimate; you can locate information easily by way of the Internet that will give you plenty of guidance in this particular matter.

There are well-trained and skilled individuals whose sole job is to travel the globe in search of these very diamonds. These diamond buyers use special equipment to analyze each rough gem in ways the naked and untrained eye could never begin to. The buyers’ job is to select what they deem to be the best of the bunch. Only such diamonds will make the cut. No pun intended there.

The next step is for the each of the rough diamonds to be polished. This crucial first step in the cutting and finishing process will allow any imperfections to surface. A simple, tiny flaw can decrease the overall value of a diamond.

At this point, the designer will mark the stone for cutting in a precise pattern. If the rough stone is large enough, it may be cut into several loose diamonds.

Now the diamond is turned over to the cutter who will use a specialized lens and fancy machinery to cut the diamond with great precision. The diamonds are then added to a bruting machine to round them off and to smooth the rough edges prior to their second cutting.

The second cutting process actually brings the diamond to life; beginning with the first eight facets on the diamond’s crown. This is referred to as “blocking”. From here the rest of the facets are added through a technique called “brillianteering”. Now the diamond is able to show its true radiance.

The final step in producing money back guarantee diamonds is for them to be evaluated and appraised by an independent laboratory that will create the certification to be passed on to the buyer.

Filed under: Articles | No Comments »

A natural pink diamond is the world’s rarest and most valuable diamond and is completely nitrogen free. The pink was discovered in Australia’s Argyle Diamond Mine in the 1980s and its various shades and uniqueness have continued to dominate the world’s foremost gemologists ever since.

Today, the Argyle mine produces greater than 90% of the world’s pink diamonds, with the remainder mined in India, Brazil and Africa. Less than 1% of all diamonds are nitrogen-free and less than 1% of all quality diamonds are colored. This kind of exclusivity makes the pink not only very precious but very pricey.

Natural pink diamonds come in a range of shades from a light pastel rose pink to raspberry and purple-reds. The diamonds are priced depending upon several factors: hue (dominant color exhibiting a possible modifier), intensity or saturation of the color, brightness and clarity of the color and market availability. The diamonds are graded to indicate color intensity on a scale of 1 to 8, the higher gradation having the paler color.

Some diamonds including natural pinks exhibit a “modifier,” a second color that modifies the main color. Sometimes modifiers are considered negatives and lessen the value of the gem. Other times, the modifier can actually add to the value of the diamond. A purplish-pink diamond, for example, may be more appealing and worth more than a pure natural pink.

In 1989 at the Christie’s auction in New York a 3.14 carat natural pink diamond sold for $1,510,000. In private circles, Argyle Mines has sold pinks for up to $1 million a carat. While these prices are far too high for the average buyer, natural pink diamonds can be found at more reasonable prices.

If a buyer is willing to purchase a light pink hue, a 1 carat natural pink diamond can be found in the U.S. for about $5,000. If the same buyer has his heart set on a Fancy Vivid Pink, however, he can expect to pay over $200,000. The discreet buyer may purchase a natural pink at Argyle Diamond’s annual Pink Diamond Tender auction, when the mine releases a special issue of outstanding pinks that are sold by special bids.

Either way a buyer goes, he can expect to pay more for a natural pink diamond than the traditional white. How much more will be determined by the uniqueness of the gem and the size of his bank account.

Filed under: Articles | No Comments »

Conflict diamonds, also referred to as blood diamonds, are those that are sold to support terrorist groups in countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. What makes stories of blood diamonds so distressing to people are the countless victims that have suffered abuse, mutilation and even death over conflict diamonds. While the diamond trade in these countries are powerful and controlling, people in other countries have been shaken by these accounts and have vowed to only purchase diamonds that are conflict free.

Conflict free diamonds are those that have been tracked to ensure that they have not come from conflict areas. They look no different than conflict diamonds and they cost no more than conflict diamonds, so how is one to ensure that they are buying a conflict free diamond?

First, look for diamonds that are from Canada. Most Canadian diamonds are tracked from the time they leave the mine to the time they are delivered to retail stores. They are mined using fair labor practices and according to environmental standards. As of recently, another country that provides diamond buyers with conflict free diamonds is Namibia. Some diamonds in Namibia have been mined, polished and cut in their own country and are environmentally friendly and practice fair labor laws.

In 2003, the Kimberly Process was introduced to help buyers know that the diamonds they are buying are conflict free. With these diamonds you should expect your diamond retailer to provide you with a written guarantee on your diamond purchase. This written form should indicate that the diamond you purchased has conflict free status.

The retailer should also adopt a code of conduct that prevents them from purchasing conflict diamonds. When walking into a retailer, there should be a store policy available for public view that guarantees that they do not buy or sell conflict diamonds. If you do not see this store policy, ask for it, as they may have a written form either online or on a printed document. If the retailer does not have this, beware as chances are, they are not a conflict free retailer.

Lastly, determine if your diamond has a serial number. Conflict free diamonds should have a serial number so that they can be easily tracked through the process of being mined, cut and polished, which should all take place in the same region. The serial number will indicate where the diamond has been and also ensure that the places where the diamond was mined, cut and polished adhere to labor law practices.

Filed under: Articles | No Comments »