| Diamond is a mineral and is the hardest known | | | | rings it is important to consider your |
| substance to man, but one of the simplest | | | | budget. |
| being composed of carbon and the first | | | | |
| recorded history dates back to some 3000 | | | | Diamonds are graded according to the 4 |
| years ago to India. Throughout history | | | | c’s which refers to cut, |
| diamonds have been associated with mystical | | | | clarity, colour and carat.The cut of a |
| power, great beauty and more recently great | | | | diamond is very important as it affects the |
| value and wealth. The word comes from the | | | | reflective qualities, which will determine |
| Greek meaning | | | | the brilliance of a diamond and how it looks |
| ‘adamas’ | | | | to the naked eye. Cut should not be confused |
| meaning unconquerable and they have been worn | | | | with shape such as pear, emerald, round etc. |
| throughout the ages by men going into battle | | | | |
| as a sign of strength, courage and | | | | Clarity refer to the number of flaws known as |
| invincibility. | | | | inclusions in the stone and the stones which |
| | | | have fewer inclusion are more highly prized |
| Most diamonds still originate from central | | | | and valuable because they have greater |
| and south Africa although there have been | | | | brilliance. Remember though that a diamond |
| other significant finds in Canada, Brazil, | | | | doesn’t have to be flawless |
| Australia and the biggest diamond mine is in | | | | to look absolutely stunning. |
| Siberia. The diamond market is very much | | | | |
| dominated by De Beers to control the supply | | | | Diamond colour usually refers to whiteness or |
| and price of diamonds across the world by | | | | colourlessness in white diamonds with those |
| what some would say are monopolistic | | | | with least colour being more valuable because |
| practices. | | | | of their ability to pass more light giving |
| | | | more sparkle and fire. Coloured diamonds do |
| Some of the worlds largest and most valuable | | | | occur naturally ranging from blue to green |
| diamonds are in the Tower of London in the | | | | but they are rare and very expensive. |
| British Crown Jewels. | | | | |
| | | | Carat is the unit of weight for measuring the |
| Diamonds are indeed very desirable objects | | | | size of diamonds and in this case it really |
| and are worn throughout the world set in | | | | is a case of size does matter. The value of a |
| precious metals in many different types of | | | | diamond rises exponentially in relation to |
| jewellery. One of the most common pieces of | | | | its size so the cost of a 4 carat stone for |
| jewellery is still the ladies diamond | | | | instance will not be double the cost of a 2 |
| engagement ring and many women still choose | | | | carat stone but very much more. So it is all |
| to have a diamond as a symbol of love to wear | | | | down to your budget and not a measure of how |
| on their engagement finger whether it be the | | | | much someone loves another. |
| traditional solitaire or three diamonds which | | | | |
| some believe signifies ‘I love | | | | Cost is important when buying a diamond ring |
| you’.Diamonds have always | | | | but you will find that there is a huge choice |
| been associated with romance and legend and | | | | out there that will fit within your budget. |
| it is said that Cupid’s | | | | Remember that clever design and settings can |
| arrows were tipped with diamonds because they | | | | make a diamond appear bigger but if you |
| possess a magic that nothing else has | | | | really want a larger stone on a limited |
| equalled. | | | | budget you could decide to purchase a stone |
| | | | which is graded slightly lower in terms of |
| Diamonds vary enormously in price according | | | | clarity and colour. |
| to size and quality so when choosing diamond | | | | |