Famous Diamonds

Some types of diamonds became very famous in the course of history because of their uniqueness, their size, their qualities and their history. According to experts, the value of these famous diamonds are greatly enhanced by it history thus the more colorful the story behind the diamond, the more precious it becomes.

The Koh-i-noor Diamond

The Koh-i-noor diamond also known as the mountain of light was unearthed more than 5000 years ago. This diamond is so old that it was even mentioned in the ancient Sanskrit writings as Syamantaka. Many Hindus believe that this famous diamond was owned by Krishna, a deity that is worshipped by most Hindu. According to legends, this famous diamond was to be an offering to the wife of Krishna but since it was stolen from Krishna while he sleeps, the diamond became cursed.

Since the time that the diamond had been stolen from the deity, the Koh-i-noor has earned a reputation of bringing back luck and death to any male person who possesses. However, since the diamond is supposed to be a gift of love to the wife of Krishan, legends tell us that the curse does not work upon its female owners. In fact, this famous diamond is supposed to bring good luck to the women who own it.

Although the story of the diamond’s relations to Krishna may sound really romantic, such story is disputed by some historical evidences. Historical findings suggest that this famous diamond was actually from the Golconda kingdom in Hyberdad, India, which is known as one of the earliest diamond mines in the world. Since its discovery from this mine, the Koh-i-noor have been passed through generations of royal families in India and Persia.

Famous Diamonds

Some types of diamonds became very famous in the course of history because of their uniqueness, their size, their qualities and their history. According to experts, the value of these famous diamonds are greatly enhanced by it history thus the more colorful the story behind the diamond, the more precious it becomes.

The Koh-i-noor Diamond

The Koh-i-noor diamond also known as the mountain of light was unearthed more than 5000 years ago. This diamond is so old that it was even mentioned in the ancient Sanskrit writings as Syamantaka. Many Hindus believe that this famous diamond was owned by Krishna, a deity that is worshipped by most Hindu. According to legends, this famous diamond was to be an offering to the wife of Krishna but since it was stolen from Krishna while he sleeps, the diamond became cursed.

Since the time that the diamond had been stolen from the deity, the Koh-i-noor has earned a reputation of bringing back luck and death to any male person who possesses. However, since the diamond is supposed to be a gift of love to the wife of Krishan, legends tell us that the curse does not work upon its female owners. In fact, this famous diamond is supposed to bring good luck to the women who own it.

Although the story of the diamond’s relations to Krishna may sound really romantic, such story is disputed by some historical evidences. Historical findings suggest that this famous diamond was actually from the Golconda kingdom in Hyberdad, India, which is known as one of the earliest diamond mines in the world. Since its discovery from this mine, the Koh-i-noor have been passed through generations of royal families in India and Persia.

Blue Diamonds

Diamonds are sparkling, beautiful gems that are valued by people from many different cultures and nations. These stones are used as decorations for fancy balls and as the symbol of a promise of marriage. Blue diamonds are especially valuable because these gems are harder to find than diamonds of other colors. There are some very famous blue diamonds that fascinate those who understand the true value of these magnificent stones. Some of these blue diamonds have become very famous because of their unique color and their weight. Famous people have owned some of the most treasured of the blue diamonds.

The famous blue diamonds are known by their names to many who understand the true value of these gems. One of the famous blue diamonds is called “Queen of Holland” and another is known as “Blue Empress”. The most famous blue diamonds weigh as much as one hundred and forty carats. The famous blue diamonds come in different shapes including pear shaped and octagon shaped. The blue stones that are famous come in a wide range of hues. There are at least six different shades of blue in the diamonds that have become famous. The shade of the diamond is usually a matter of preference for those looking for special colors in the diamonds that they buy.

Famous Blue Diamonds Are Valuable Investments

There are very few blue diamonds and the owners rarely sell these because of their value. When they do sell them, the owners usually get more than they originally paid for these gems. The stones are usually cut by experts because of the value of the stone and the cut must enhance the natural beauty of these wonderful gems. The cut of these valuable gems is especially important for large, colored stones. Sometimes the largest stones that are found with a blue color are studied extensively before any cutting is begun.

Helzberg Diamonds

When looking for diamond jewelry there is a number of different options available such as the many high-end boutiques and small family jewelry stores. In addition, the number of markets and outlets where one can buy precious gemstones are also many. This may lead a person interested in buying jewelry items to wonder which is the best source for purchasing them. One of the recommended options for your jewelry purchase would no doubt include buying from the many large retail jewelry stores of which Helzberg Diamonds is a leading example.

Extensive Selection

You can find outlets such as Helzberg Diamonds in many a shopping malls and shopping centers all throughout America. In addition, you can also see them advertised in the print media as well as on television. For those that care to visit outlets such as Helzberg Diamonds they will find some pretty extensive selection of diamonds along with some fantastic deals as well. However, be prepared for a lack of personal attention such as what you would expect to encounter in the smaller family run jewelry stores.

Many Locations Built On A Century Of Quality

In any case, Helzberg Diamonds is a name that is recognized for its fine jewelry and it has been in operation since the year 1915, and they are proud of their heritage. At Helzberg Diamonds, you should expect good value for money and also benefit from their years of experience given that they have been in existence for many years that has seen three generations of Helzburg and which has taken up the better part of the twentieth century.

In fact, you will be surprised to know that there are more than two hundred and seventy Helzberg Diamond’s stores spanning all of the United States, and so you should be able to locate one of their stores close to where you live. And, once you enter a Helzberg Diamonds store, you will be amazed by the quality of jewelry that is almost timeless in its appeal and you will also appreciate their packaging that includes some very fetching burgundy boxes.

Raw Diamonds

What is clear, often found on or near coal and is the source of lifetimes of blood, sweat and tears for miners? It is raw diamonds. To the layperson, a raw diamond may look like little more than tiny piece of crystal. To the overjoyed miner, though, that little rock is his livelihood. From the miner’s hands, it goes to a broker, then to a cutter, and finally a jeweler where the polished stone is set into a piece of jewelry. Eventually, this little piece of forever is sold to a customer who will give it as a gift or wear a piece of nature’s finest craftsmanship.

What Happens To Raw Diamonds That Cannot Be Cut For Jewelry?

Amazingly few stones are actually flawless enough to be faceted for jewelry purposes. This is one of the reasons that diamonds remain rare and expensive to own. In the past, the raw diamonds that were unfit for cutting into suitable gemstones were usually sold to industry for use in making everything from drill bits to the faceting wheels used to cut and polish those prized stones.

Because diamonds are one of the hardest substances in existence, about the only thing that can be used to cut and polish one is a wheel manufactured out of the same material. It is this hardness and the sheer brilliance of the cut and polished stone that make them the perfect engagement ring adornment, because they can take daily wear like no other stone. Additionally, it is this hardness that also makes raw diamonds the perfect material for industry to use in cutting or hole-boring equipment.

Diamonds

Everyone has heard the expression that diamonds are a girl’s best friends and also that diamonds are forever. Such simple catch phrases only highlight the sheer beauty and elegance of these shining rocks, and it would not surprise anyone to learn that these precious gemstones are sure to have been owned at least singly by a great number of individuals. That obviously means that given their high popularity, one must know what type of gemstone one should buy because the options are many as they are found in a great number of sizes and shapes.

Type Of Jewelry

You will be sure to find a few methods that will show you how to select your diamonds, and a good starting point in this direction is to know the type of jewelry that will be best suited to hold such a gemstone. By firstly deciding on the type of jewelry you can determine other factors such as size, quality and also shape. Thus, for your engagement ring you would be more particular about the stone’s quality as compared to when buying a bracelet that has many stones on it.

Another important factor to consider is your preferred style regarding the jewelry you are going to buy, which means having a particular style that could range from modest styled jewelry to flashy ones. And, once you have decided on the particular style of jewelry that you wish to wear, you can choose from different items such as rings, bracelets and earrings and also consider their cost.

Type Of Stone

You may also have to decide whether you want to buy colorless or colored diamonds. To determine which the better choice is for you, you need to consider a few things such as the fact that colored diamonds usually are more expensive and they are also very unique as compared with clear diamonds. So, if you really want a diamond that stands out from the rest and is also original, your choice would definitely a colored diamond.

Manufactured Diamonds

Manufactured diamonds are man made, just as the name implies. They are created in a lab using many different materials. There are different degrees of manufactured diamonds. Unlike mined diamonds that have several categorizing factors to determine grade, these diamonds have only three grades. These grades are low, medium, and high. It is quite easy to tell the difference in the grades of these lab created diamonds.

There are several reasons to choose manufactured diamonds over mined diamonds. The most obvious reason is price. Lab created diamonds are much less expensive than mined diamonds. This is perfect for those people who cannot afford mined diamonds but want the same look. Manufactured diamonds are also perfect for costume jewelry. These jewelry pieces are often much larger and ornate. It would cost a lot of money to get the same look from mined diamonds.

The Different Grades of Manufactured Diamonds

Manufactured diamonds that are low quality are often cloudy. These are generally sold in bulk to costume jewelers. Costume jewelry can be found off the rack. They will not be under display cases. There will be no passing off low quality lab created diamonds as a mined diamond.

The next quality level of manufactured diamonds is medium. These are also often sold in bulk. They look lovely, but also cannot pass as a mined diamond. These are often set in sterling silver. These are also the quality that is generally found from home shopping channels. These diamonds can make beautiful jewelry, but will still not come close to real diamond quality.

Manufactured diamonds that are classified as high quality are usually sold directly through jewelers. These diamonds are set in quality metals such as gold and platinum. There is a lot of time put into manufacturing these diamonds and they are meant to look exactly like mined diamonds. While they are still only manufactured diamonds, they rival mined diamonds in beauty. These should only be purchased through a fine jewelry dealer to ensure that quality is assured.

Choosing to purchase manufactured diamonds is a very personal choice. Knowing these details prior to purchase can help make the decision easier. The three grades of manufactured diamond are so distinct from one another that the choice is easily made. It is also good to know where each grade of manufactured diamond can be purchased as well as how they are set. This will ensure that shoppers are getting what they pay for.

Diamonds International

Eric and Pat Bentley opened their first diamond shop in 1969. It was a showroom for beautiful diamond pieces, up until now the shop is still operating at the original location.

They wanted to provide Australia with a Diamond Salon where buyers and potential clients can browse around comfortably and leisurely while choosing from a selection of quality diamond jewelry.

A Family Business

The husband and wife pair was aiming to sell fine diamonds and other jewelry specifically rings at affordable prices that did not compromise the price and their standards. They wanted to provide the public with affordable diamonds of high quality. This belief that they can provide quality stones at competitive prices is still being upheld to this very day.

Their son, Charles Bentley soon joined the family business in 1980 and he brought new ideas and innovative designs. He is now the head of Diamonds International and he believes in the principles that his parents believed in when they established their store in 1969 and he wants to continue to bring quality jewelry to the people of Australia and the world.

Diamonds International has established itself as a strong leader in the diamonds industry in Australia and internationally. It upholds its reputation of being honest, reliable and consistent in their products. Diamonds International has never compromised the quality of their products in favor for more sales and lower jewelry costs. Tom Bentley is now the third generation of the family to join the business and he is proving to have the knack for the diamonds business.

Guarantee and Insurance

All jewelry purchased at Diamonds International comes with its very own valuation and a guarantee from the store. The company strongly recommends clients and their buyers to fully insure their purchases to be secure. The company also gives buyers and clients’ quotes for a full comprehensive insurance of jewelry items purchased from them. The guarantee which comes with the jewelry bought is not the same as an insurance policy.

Services offered by Diamonds International

Diamonds International also offers services for clients who are interested in purchasing a diamond from them or have already purchased a diamond or jewelry from them. The services are helping clients choose the right stone for them, guiding and assisting in choosing a design setting for the chosen stone, laboratory grading of the diamond and diamond laser inscription, providing valuations for the jewelry and stones and free inspection of the jewelry and cleaning.

Synthetic Diamonds

Diamonds are treasured jewels because they are very rare. These sparkling jewels are used for special gifts because they are the hardest natural materials so they will last forever. These beautiful gems also sparkle more than any other jewel. Many people regard diamonds as a sign of affection because they are so valuable. As a gift, these jewels are more than a beautiful gem; these are investments that will probably increase in value through the years. Recently, manufacturers have devised a way to make synthetic diamonds that are often made into pieces of jewelry. To the naked eye, synthetic diamonds might appear to be the real thing. Most ordinary individuals could be fooled into thinking that synthetic diamonds are natural diamonds.

Even skilled jewelers will have to examine synthetic diamonds to determine their authenticity. Real diamonds appear naturally in certain parts of the world, and these jewels are extracted from nature before they are cut by experts. Synthetic diamonds are made through a process by manufacturers in factories. A synthetic diamond is made of carbon crystal like the natural diamonds. Synthetic diamonds are often used for special products including electronic devices. Synthetic diamonds are also used in medical technology. The use of these manufactured diamonds has helped to reduce costs in some other manufacturing tasks.

Synthetic Diamonds Are Hard And Pure

Synthetic diamonds have many of the same properties that make natural diamonds valuable. These synthetic diamonds are very hard substances which make them valuable for use in electronics and medicine. These diamonds are manufactured so they are pure unlike the many of the diamonds that are extracted from diamond mines. There are several successful companies that manufacture these artificial diamonds using two different methods. These companies produce billions of dollars of these diamonds that are so valuable to other manufacturers.

Some of these diamonds are used in jewelry, but they do not have the same value as the natural diamonds. The manufactured diamonds can be produced in some of the same colors that appear in natural diamonds. Many people have purchased the synthetic gems made into rings, bracelets and other jewelry because these are less expensive than the same pieces made with natural diamonds. Recently, one company made these synthetic jewels from the ashes of recently deceased people for relatives who want to keep the remains of their beloved people close at hand. These companies process the remains of an individual into a beautiful ring or necklace that the buyer can wear constantly.

Lab Created Diamonds

The term lab created diamonds has only one definition but it can have many different meanings to different people. Simply put, a lab-created diamond is exactly what it sounds like, a diamond made by man in a laboratory instead of miles under the earth by nature. These imitations can range from cut glass to the highly popular cubic zirconium and moissanite. All types of lab created diamonds offer consumers a less expensive alternative to natural diamonds, most without losing anything but the status associated with owning an actual diamond. This article will outline the different types of lab created diamonds in order to help our readers choose the right synthetic stones for whatever situation.

Cut Glass

Most people have heard of and seen cut glass costume jewelry. This obviously phony diamond alternative is amazing cheap and worth every penny. Cut glass isn’t seen as often today as it once was but is occasionally offered in costume jewelry settings. The rings, bracelets and earrings made with cut glass are normally very large and extremely tacky. However certain popular costume jewelry designers from the 20s and 30s produced some interesting pieces that are of value to collectors of costume jewelry. The use of cut glass has widely been replaced by the most popular diamond alternative, cubic zirconium.

Cubic Zirconium

Cubic zirconium is most likely the first name people think when the topic of lab-created diamonds is mentioned. By far the most popular imitation diamond substance, some CZs are indistinguishable to most ordinary people. Jewelers and experts in the gem industry can usually tell the difference between a real diamond and a cubic zirconium. If you hear the term Russian Diamond mentioned, don’t be fooled. Russian diamonds are just high quality CZs that even professionals have a hard time detecting without the use of special equipment. Cubic zirconium and moissanites are often paired together as the same type of lab created diamond, but in fact they are different.

Moissanite

How Are Diamonds Made

Diamonds are made of the same substance as the lead in a pencil and coal. The difference is in the arrangement of the atoms; diamonds have tighter atoms than any other substance in the world. How are diamonds made, you might ask. They are formed when carbon is constantly exposed to very high temperatures and under very high pressure. Diamonds are made down under the Earth, below the surface where high temperatures and pressure exist naturally.

How Are Diamonds Made In Nature

At the depth of 180 kilometers, the temperature is very high around 1100 degrees Celsius and 1400 degrees Celsius. Extremely high pressures are produced by rocks pressing down on it. This is how are diamonds made. Other than carbon, nitrogen and sulphur can also be found inside the diamond. If these substances are in a diamond, they can add color to the diamond. Under normal circumstances a diamond is colorless.

If you are wondering where the carbon that makes these diamonds come from, they come from the mantle of the earth. Some are from the bodies and shells of micro-organisms from the oceans a long, long time ago. Organic carbon is buried in rocks that managed to fall down in to the mantle when the earth moved. Movement is due to tectonic plates and the continental drift.

How Are Diamonds Made By Man

To answer the question, how are diamonds made by man, we need to understand that man really likes to look for easier ways to make or do things. When man saw that diamonds are precious gems and people pay great amounts for them, they found a way to make these hard to get stones. A team of scientists has been trying for a long time to make diamonds. In the year 2004, scientists from Carnegie Institution’s Geophysical Laboratory managed to produce gems that are harder than any other crystals.

Herkimer Diamonds

Precious stones aren’t the only source of highly attractive jewelry used today. Semi-precious stones and even crystals are available in a variety of settings from plated metal to wire and hemp string. Herkimer diamonds are actually crystals mined in several small areas of New York and used for a variety of different applications. It is interesting to learn about the various qualities of the misnamed diamonds including the crystal shape, and composition as well as how they got their name and how they are used. Armed with this information you’ll have a better idea of where and how to purchase Herkimer diamonds to add to your collection.

Quartz Crystals Not Diamonds

Herkimer diamonds are really quartz crystals found in New York. Sometime during the late 1700s, Miners who found the crystals began calling them diamonds due to the sparkly nature of the minerals and their resemblance to the more valuable genuine stones. Perhaps they were also hoping to cash in on unsuspecting tourists to the area. Officially Herkimer diamonds are called “Little Falls Diamonds” referring to the name of the dolostone in which they are found. It is estimated that the Little Falls dolostone is over 500 millions years old. One of the reasons these “pretend diamonds” are so sought after is the rarity of their double-terminated shape.

Double-Terminated Crystals

Herkimer diamonds are famous for their double-terminated formation. Double-terminated simply means that the crystals form while hanging freely, resulting in two pointed ends. Mineral enthusiasts find the double pointed ends more beautiful and more desirable than crystals with only one naturally faceted end. Believers of mystical powers residing in crystals feel that the double points allow energy to flow more freely through the stones while scientific studies have actually shown this mineral to be effective in transferring energy when put under pressure. It is easy to see why many different groups of people would find Herkimer diamonds valuable.

The Truth About Diamonds

Diamonds have a mystique about them; they are stunning to look at, they are cut beautifully to enhance any piece of jewelry, and when the sun catches them, they flash like miniature suns. However, if you are planning a diamond purchase, you need to know the truth about diamonds. All the television ads that portray diamonds as the ultimate gift of love, the romantic magazine ads that tell us that a diamond is the only gem that is the perfect gift can mislead us. The truth about diamonds is a little more complicated than this image of the perfect expression of perfect love.

Learning the Truth about Diamonds

There is nothing sinister here; just some basic truths and information about diamonds before you take out your credit card. First, make sure that the stone you are purchasing really is a diamond. This is especially true of diamonds sold on eBay and estate auctions. Before you buy, insist that a certified gemologist examine the gemstone. This is certification will tell you the stone’s carat weight, its color and clarity, and its flaws, if any. A seller who will not do this for you may not be telling the truth about the diamond you are hoping to purchase.

What looks like a diamond is not always a diamond. In the Depression era, many people were too poor to buy a diamond. Instead, rings made of fine crystal served as engagement rings. If you happen across one of these rings, the seller should inform you of its true composition. Crystal jewelry from the Depression years is quite beautiful; simply make sure you know the truth about this diamond “substitute.”

Similar to the crystal jewelry of the past, cubic zirconium is quite lovely; only a gemologist can tell the difference between a diamond created by nature and a diamond created in a laboratory. The truth is that they are both diamonds; one is natural and one is artificial. Again, just make sure you know what you are buying.

Another myth to keep in mind is that many diamonds are not clear stones. The gem’s physical and chemical make up is what determines a diamond, not the color. Created by untold years by nature from carbon molecules, diamonds can be any color in the rainbow. The truth about these diamonds is not that they are “trash” diamonds as some believe, but are stunning in color and clarity. One of the most beautiful diamonds in the world is a large violet diamond bought by the late Richard Burton for the love of his life, Elizabeth Taylor, to match her eyes.

Discount Diamonds

We all know the rule. A diamond for that special engagement ring should cost two months salary, right? Well, if that salary is not as high as you would like, how do you find a good stone for less money? The answer may well be discount diamonds.

Buyer Beware

If you type, “discount diamonds” into to any search engine you will likely get hundreds of hits. How do you know the best deals from the scams? The answer is in understanding enough about purchasing a diamond that you cannot be taken in by a less than scrupulous seller.

There are several methods by which a person, who has not taken the time to research diamonds, can be manipulated. The most dramatic method is to be sold cubic zirconium instead of a diamond. However, the actuality of this happening is rare. What is more common is for the dealer to sell a stone that does not quite weigh what is claimed or one that is of lesser quality.

How Do I Buy A Diamond?

The Gemological Institute of America has created an almost universal system used for grading diamonds—to include those found at a discount diamond dealer. The acronym for this system is the 4 C’s. Color is the first. Traditional clear diamonds should be nearly colorless. The scale for this starts at D (colorless) and goes all the way to Z (grey/black). Next is cut. The cut of a round diamond should have 58 facets that allow the light to bounce inside creating the popular brilliance.

After that, be sure to look at the size of the stone. Carat weight is the determination of that size. Obviously, the bigger the stone, the more expensive it will be. Finally, look for flaws within the stone. The best way to do this is to look at your stone under a microscope prior to having it set, because a prong on a diamond can easily hide a rather large flaw.

Once you feel more confident in your role as buyer, go out and see what is available. Then, begin to look for the best price for the largest diamond you can afford. One of the best places to look for these kinds of deals is at a discount diamond dealer. Generally, companies like this purchase large quantities of diamonds, which allows them buy the stones at a discounted rate. The end result, then, is often the best possible deal for the diamond buyer—you!

Ultra Diamonds

Diamonds are one of the hardest materials on earth. Nothing shines like a diamond. Diamonds are hearts, rounds, squares, pears, princesses, and a variety of other shapes. Diamonds are even sometimes found in a variety of colors: browns, blacks, pinks, reds, blues and greens. So, you know all of this—right? Then, what the heck is Ultra Diamonds?

Ultra Diamonds

No, Ultra Diamonds are not some brand new diamond just unearthed in some uncharted area of Africa. Ultra Diamonds is, in fact, a reputable place where these and other gemstones may be purchased online. By accessing their website, at www.ultradiamonds.com, you immediately encounter a friendly and easy to navigate page that gives you simple yet specific means with which to immediately narrow your search.

At the top of the page are a variety of drop down menus including bridal, diamond fashion, gemstone, gold and silver, collections, watches and closeout. From any one of the dropdown menus at the Ultra Diamonds site, you can easily begin to navigate through anything from wedding rings for her to Seiko watches for him. Jewelry shopping has never been easier.

Also, off to one side is another means by which this website can be navigated. Let’s say that you are looking for a gift in a certain price range, but don’t really know yet what you want. On the bottom left of the Ultra Diamonds’ homepage are a series of prices. Simply click on your range and enjoying perusing the selection until you come upon that perfect gift.

Does Ultra Diamonds Have Sales Or Closeouts?

Absolutely, clicking on the tab marked “closeout” at the top of the home page may easily access Ultra Diamonds’ closeout merchandise information. On this page, you may sort by price or simply take your time and browse the more than twenty pages available to you. In addition, Ultra Diamonds has about 150 locations across the United States where you can look for sales or buy your diamond and gemstone jewelry in a comfortable atmosphere.

Once you have made your purchase, you have thirty days to return it online and Ultra Diamonds offers free shipping for any purchase over the cost of $499. So make that special occasion even more special and know that you are getting great prices on a wide variety of gemstone choices. This company has clearly made shopping for jewelry really easy. They also pledge excellent customer service.

Red Diamonds

Red diamonds are considered as one of the rarest stones in the world. Because of its extreme rarity, this type of diamond is one of the most sought after by precious stone collectors all over the world. A lot of wealthy gemstone collectors will fight tooth and nail just to add the rare red diamonds in their collection that the prices of these stones have gone very high in the past few years. For the past 20 years or so, there were very few red diamonds that went on sale all over the world and all of these stone fetched very high prices. In fact, most of these big red stones were sold at around $1 million dollars per piece.

The Moussaieff Red Diamond

The Moussaieff red diamond is considered as one of the largest fancy red diamonds in world. This piece of precious stone was first discovered by a Brazilian farmer sometime in the middle of the 1990s and was first purchased by the William Goldberg Diamond Corporation. When it was first cut, this diamond was named as the Red Shield but when this piece of precocious stone was later own bought by Moussaieff Jewelers Ltd, the company gave named it the Moussaieff Red.

This 5.11 carat diamond was said to be internally flawless, making it one of the most expensive red diamonds of all times. How much did Moussaieff Jewelers Ltd paid for this diamond? The famous Moussaieff Red diamond was rumored to have been sold at about $8 million in the 1990s. Experts believe that the value of this diamond has tremendously increased since then that this piece of precious stone could easily fetch in a price more than $10 million dollars.

The De Young Red

The De Young Red is a 5.03 carat red diamond and is considered as the third largest in the world. This diamond is not really pure red. This stone has a slightly brown hue which makes it look like a fine garnet that ruby-like. Since this diamond has very unique color, this was once sold at an estate sale as a red garnet. Luckily, this fine piece of precious stone was later on recovered and identified to be a very rare red diamond. At present, the De Young Red is under the custody of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC and often figured in exhibits in that museum. If you are interested to see The De Young Red, just visit the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.

Fancy Colored Diamonds

For years, you have watched as your friends paraded their engagement rings in front of you. Pretty, but so very limited in color. The only choices that seemed available were princess, marquise, round, emerald, and a few others. Sadly, nothing really struck you as matching your personality. You have heard that the aristocracy and a few select others would give fancy colored diamonds to each other as gifts, but assumed it was only a dream to be that lucky.

Not Just For The Rich

Unlike in years gone by, it is now possible to own a fancy colored diamond of your very own! In fact, these often brilliantly colored gems are so popular that they are being seen with greater frequency on the ears, necks, wrists, and fingers of stars. Recently, beautiful canary yellow diamonds were even discussed and worn in the romantic comedy, “How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days.”

Fancy colored diamonds, while rare and often more expensive than their clearer cousins, are not just for stars like Kate Hudson. You too, can have a little piece of aristocracy of your own. Perhaps a canary yellow, pink, or Hope-diamond- like blue would best reflect your personality in that engagement ring you have been dreaming about. Or, if you prefer a blend of the traditional with the fancy, try a clear diamond accented by the color of your choice.

The benefit to using fancy colored diamonds is that, like clear ones, they maintain their glimmer and can withstand daily wear, while still be symbolic of forever. They are diamonds with the unique quality of having remarkably brilliant colors to include emerald-like greens and deep ruby-red’s.

Buyer Beware

Sadly, because of the increasing popularity of fancy colored diamonds, some less-than-reputable businesses will try to sell you an irradiated stone for a natural. Irradiation is the process of radiating a stone, like a diamond, to alter or bring out an underlying color. There is nothing at all illegal or wrong with this process as it allows more people to own fancy colored diamonds without the high cost.

The problem arises when the dealer or jeweler plays fast and loose with the truth regarding the origin of the stone. Irradiated stones are considerably less expensive than the natural variety, so be very careful when you go to pick out that stone. Make sure that you are purchasing your dream fancy colored diamond from a reputable business.

Also, the Gemological Institute of America has given fancy colored diamonds their own color scale, so you will not be buying your diamond under the traditional D-Z scale. The scale for these colored stones begins at faint and ends at fancy vivid, so before you walk into that jewelry store, it is a great idea to do a little research. The more you know the less likely you will be to get scammed by a disreputable clerk. After all, when your purchase an engagement ring, you want to make absolutely sure your fancy colored diamond is exactly what you have always dreamed it would be.

Diamonds And Fine Jewelry

Whenever someone plans to purchase diamonds and fine jewelry, it is best to find a reputable jeweler first. These jewelers will be able to guide the consumer to the right piece of jewelry for any occasion, whether it is for a wedding, prom, or gift for a special occasion. There are many factors to consider when choosing diamonds and fine jewelry. It can be overwhelming. Everyone wants high quality at a decent price. It is too easy to be swindled by jewelry that looks brilliant to the naked eye, but is really poor quality overall. This causes the consumer to lose value on their purchase.

Many women cannot stop once they have acquired a collection of diamonds and fine jewelry. It is fun to shop for new pieces. It is a wonderful feeling to find a great deal. It is satisfying when someone else notices how incredible her jewelry is! A collection of diamonds and fine jewelry is one that exemplifies exquisite taste and is considered a status symbol among the wealthy. The less than wealthy strive to attain single pieces of jewelry that are beautiful and meaningful. Regardless of the size of her collection of jewelry, every woman should be proud to own her own diamonds and fine jewelry!

Insuring Diamonds and Fine Jewelry

Anyone who owns diamonds and fine jewelry should be aware of the importance of insurance. Many people are misled to believe that their homeowner’s insurance will cover all of the fine jewelry as well. This may be true up to a certain dollar amount. It is best to check with the insurance company, but if there is a large collection of diamonds and fine jewelry, there will likely be additional insurance necessary.

Rough Diamonds

Rough diamonds are those diamonds which are uncut and still in their natural form. Uncut, rough diamonds come in different shapes and sizes. These are Octahedral, Cubic, Macle Twins, Balas crystals and more. When you get used to seeing uncut rough diamonds, you are most likely able to recognize one when you see one in a diamond mine or diamond pit.

Ancient Use of Diamonds

During the older times, uncut diamonds were picked from riverbeds. Kings and nobles already recognize the value of this hard crystal and utilized the diamonds for armor studding in their breast plates. Further on, kings and queens used the rough diamonds as accessories for their crowns and other jewelry. They might not look as beautiful as they do now but they still have their appeal because diamonds were prized even a long time ago.

In this day and age, most diamonds are mined in Africa. In the early 1500’s, diamonds were traded from India. When the supply from India petered out people found diamonds in Brazil and this country became the next diamond center for the following years. Eventually, volcanic pipes were discovered in Africa and these contained the most of the best rough diamonds in the world.

The largest of all rough diamonds ever found to this day is the Cullinan Diamond which was found in 1905 in South Africa. It is 3, 106.75 carats and the second largest is the Excelsior Diamond at 995.20 carats, also found in South Africa. Most rough diamonds found in Kimberlite volcanic rock is approximately 1 billion to 3 billion year old.

Up to this day, more than half of the diamonds available in the world come from Africa.

Pink Diamonds

Diamonds are expensive because they are rare, and pink diamonds are more expensive because they are very rare. Most people seldom see a pink diamond because there are not many people who own pink diamonds. A shopper on a trip to the local jewelry store will probably see many diamonds on bracelets, rings and necklaces, but the shopper at an ordinary jewelry store will rarely see a pink diamond. Many successful jewelers never see one of these rare diamonds. Diamonds are expensive because these jewels are the hardest naturally occurring material in the world. Diamonds are also treasured and expensive because of the way they disperse the light. Diamonds sparkle.

All diamonds sparkle and these precious jewels come in many different colors. The rarest colors are the most expensive. Pink diamonds are very rare, and there are many different shades of pink diamonds. Most diamonds are priced according to four criteria including the color and the weight which is measured in carats. A pink diamond is one of the most expensive diamonds when compared to other diamonds of equal weight. Pink diamonds differ in the intensity of the color in the diamond. The pink diamonds are graded on a scale of one to eight depending on the intensity of the color in the diamond.

Pink Diamonds Make Unique Jewelry

There are some beautiful pieces of jewelry made with pink diamonds. When shopping for a diamond, each customer should keep in mind that a diamond is an investment. Although one of these diamonds will be hard to find, a customer who purchases one of these rare diamonds will be making an investment for the future. These diamonds can be used to make beautiful rings for a special engagement to a rich bachelor.

The Steinmetz Pink Diamond is a very valuable piece of jewelry. This diamond is classified as a vivid pink. The color of this gem is very unusual, and the entire diamond weighs almost sixty carats. This fantastic diamond was first shown to the public in 2003 in Monaco. The jewelers who cut this magnificent diamond took almost two years to cut it and approve it for sale. These jewelers had to be extra cautious when cutting this rare diamond. This diamond went on display in the Smithsonian Museum along with some of the other very famous diamonds. This diamond was classified by experts from the Gemological Institute. If shoppers are looking for a special gift and they have plenty of cash or credit, they could get one of the most valuable diamonds.