History and Facts on Diamonds
The name “diamond” comes from the greek work “adamas” which means “the invincible”. It is said that the diamond strengthens the love between a woman and a man and it is said, that the diamond strenghtens it’s bearer in battle. Especially the white diamonds are said to posess a strength which protects the owner against black magic and misfortune. The first ever to find diamonds were the Indians in India. They were also the first to use diamonds as jewelry 700-800 years b.C. Many hundred years after this, the first diamonds were found outside India, namely in Brazil in the year of 1725. In 1866 diamonds were found in South Africa and today South Africa is the world’s largest diamond exporting country.
Price and Quality
Because of the complex science concerning diamonds it can be hard to see through price and quality terms.
Popular said the price of the diamond depends on the 4 C’s:
Carat = the weight (0,03 ct, 0,11 ct, 0,25 ct. etc.)
Colour = the colour (D, E, F, G; H etc.)
Clarity = the clarity (IF, VVS, VS, SI and P)
Cut = the cut (diamond, brilliant, heart and arrow etc.)
Carat
The weight of the diamond is stated in Carat. A large diamond of 1 Carat weighs 0,2 grams.
Colour
Internationally the different nuances of the diamonds have been determined and “colour cards” have been developed consisting real diamonds. This means that a diamond of the colour “River” bought in f.ex. USA has exactly the same colour as if it was bought in Denmark.
Clarity
When the clarity is examined the diamond is inspected carefully to see if there are any inclusions, how big they are and whether they are visible to the eye etc. In sales adverts the clarity is stated by letter abbreviations like IF, VVS, VS, SI and P. IF for the 100% clear and P for inclusions that can be seen with the eye.
Cut
The cut is what makes the diamond sparkle and twinkle. The perfect cut sends all the light going into the stone back and thereby the diamond obtains the famous “fire”. A poor cut sends the light the wrong way out and the diamond will look “dead”.
A brilliant is a diamond that is cut ideally. It is the cut that gives the diamond the name brilliant.
