| It is hard to believe how much debate goes on in | | | | all important especially when choosing a ring. |
| regards to diamonds and in particular, the | | | | Carat is the weight of the diamond but |
| difference between a white diamond and say, a | | | | remember, bigger isn't always better! |
| chocolate diamond. | | | | Carat relates to the weight of the diamond and |
| Chocolate diamonds are considered to be white | | | | not the size. In cost terms, one needs to take |
| diamonds with a flaw and therefore, of lower | | | | into consideration both the colour and clarity |
| quality and value. | | | | together with its weight. |
| Some say that chocolate diamonds have been | | | | Clarity relates more to value than cut. The |
| dreamed up and promoted by some clever | | | | greater majority of diamonds have minuscule |
| marketing men as a way for mines to dispose of | | | | flaws known as inclusions. The fewer of these |
| lower quality stock and that may be so, but if a | | | | means that more light can pass through the stone |
| chocolate diamond ring conforms to the 4 c's and | | | | and the more light, the rarer the stone and of |
| is approved and certified by the various | | | | course the rarer the stone, the greater its value - |
| institutions and you like it, where can you go | | | | which is significant if you intend spending a good |
| wrong? | | | | deal of money on a ring. |
| A chocolate diamond, also known as a cognac or | | | | Colour of course is important and on the colour |
| champagne diamond amongst others, is a | | | | grading chart one starts at d (the best blue white) |
| coloured diamond that is not classified as a white | | | | through to z (dark coloured diamonds) which again |
| diamond in the grading charts however, both are | | | | relates to price. |
| diamonds and have the same physical properties. | | | | But look at this way, if only an expert with an |
| When choosing any diamond including the | | | | eyeglass can tell the difference in the quality of |
| chocolate diamond you should be aware of the 4 | | | | white diamonds, doesn't it stand to reason, that if |
| c's; carat, clarity, colour and cut and if you are | | | | you are not going to invest an absolute fortune in |
| going to spend a bit of money on that ring, also | | | | a diamond, you should buy one that visually |
| check that you are protecting your investment | | | | attracts you and the chocolate diamond, when |
| by ensuring that it is certified by any of the | | | | set in yellow or white gold or even platinum does |
| following: | | | | just that! |
| The International Gemeological Institute (IGI) | | | | Prices for chocolate diamond rings vary of course |
| The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) | | | | and range from a few hundred dollars up to a |
| The American Gem Society (AGS) | | | | few thousand but the point is, there is always a |
| The European Gemological Laboratories (EGL) and | | | | ring to match your budget. |
| The Diamond High Council (HRD) | | | | Personally I am a huge fan of the chocolate |
| Certification means that the stone has met the | | | | diamond ring and there are now some inventive |
| requirements of these institutions and has | | | | young jewelery designers being absolutely |
| received verification of the 4 C's; in other words, | | | | creative in their combination of stones and |
| it is a confirmation that you haven't been ripped | | | | settings to produce an eye catching product. |
| off and that you have bought a genuine stone of | | | | At the end of the day remember, beauty is in |
| quality. | | | | the high of the beholder and the customer is |
| A little bit of information on the 4 C's as they are | | | | always right!. |