tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58941179409500861532024-02-08T05:33:46.444-08:00Diamondsbuitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-481383389473194932013-09-24T02:17:00.000-07:002013-09-24T02:17:01.070-07:00Famous DiamondsAmong the most well known <b>diamonds</b> is the Hope. This 45.52 carat steel blue diamond is currently on display at the Smithsonian. The legends of the ill-fortune and curse bestowed on the possessor of the Hope Diamond are many. This diamond was donated to the Smithsonian in 1958. The Hope was originally a rather flat, blocky 110-carat rough.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<b><u>The Dresden Green</u></b> stands out among the natural colored <b>diamonds</b>. It is the largest green diamond in the world weighing 40.70 carats. This diamond is historic, large and has a natural green color with a slight blue overtone. These facts make it virtually priceless.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Conde Pink</u></b> is a pear shaped and weighs 9.01-carats. This pink diamond was once owned by Louis XIII. The Tiffany Yellow diamond a beautiful canary-yellow octahedron weighing 287.42 in the rough (metric) carats discovered in either 1877 or 1878 in South Africa. The gem after cutting boasts the extraordinary<br />
weight of 128.54 carats. And until recently, was the largest golden-yellow in the world.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Koh-I-Noor ( Mountain of Light )</u></b> is now among the British Crown Jewels. This diamond weighs 105.60 carats. First mentioned in 1304, it is believed to have been once set in Shah Jehan‘s famous peacock throne as one of the peacocks eyes.<br />
<br />
The Agra is graded as a naturally colored Fancy Light Pink and weighs 32.34 carats. It was sold for about 6.9 million in 1990. Since this sale, it has been modified to a cushion shape weighing about 28.15 carats.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Transvaal Blue</u></b> is pear cut. This blue diamond weighs 25 carats. It was found in the Premier Diamond Mine in Transvaal, South Africa. <br />
<br />
<b><u>The Great Chrysanthemum</u></b> was discovered in the summer of 1963, in a South African diamond field. This 198.28-carat fancy brown diamond appeared to be a light honey color in its rough state. However, after cutting, it proved to be a rich golden brown, with overtones of sienna and burnt orange.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Taylor-Burton Diamond</u></b> is a pear-shaped 69.42 carat diamond. Cartier of New York purchased this diamond at an auction in 1969 and christened it "Cartier." The next day Richard Burton bought the diamond<br />
for Elizabeth Taylor. He renamed it the "Taylor-Burton”. In 1978, Elizabeth Taylor put the diamond up for sale. Prospective buyers had to pay $2,500 each to view the diamond to cover the costs of showing it. Finally, in June of 1979, the diamond was sold for nearly $3 million dollars.<br />
<br />buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-81660100480488691772013-09-24T02:11:00.003-07:002013-09-24T02:11:41.467-07:00Diamond ScamsWhen it comes to <b>diamonds</b>, there are numerous scams to avoid. Most scams are minor, but there are some major ones that come up from time to time concerning the buying and selling of diamonds. <b>Scams </b>occur simply because most people who buy diamonds – for whatever reasons – don’t know that much about diamonds. Therefore, they are easily fooled.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-5748053892979264";
/* 336x280, created 1/21/09 Buitenblog */
google_ad_slot = "6183126835";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
//-->
</script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
<br />
A common <b>scam </b>that most jewelry stores participate in is the <b><u>Carat Total Weight sca</u></b>m. The tag on the piece of jewelry, usually a ring, only states the total carat weight of all diamonds in the piece, instead of listing the total weights separately for each diamond.<br />
This leads consumers to believe that the main diamond in the piece is actually bigger than it is. Ask what the total carat weight of the center stone is. Also beware of fractions. Jewelry stores are allowed to round off diamond weights. This means that if the jeweler tells you that it is a ¾ carat diamond, it is probably between ½ and ¾ carat – but closer to ¾.<br />
<br />
Jewelry stores often run ‘fluorescence’ scams to varying degrees. Referring to a <b>diamond</b> as a blue-white diamond is such a scam. A blue-white diamond sounds very unique and special, but in fact, this type of diamond is of lesser quality – even though the jeweler will try to make you think you are getting something special. Jewelry stores also like to show their diamonds in bright lights. Lights make diamonds shine. Ask<br />
to see the diamond in a different, darker type of lighting as well.<br />
<br />
Some truly unscrupulous jewelers target those who want appraisals on diamonds that were given to them as gifts or that were purchased elsewhere. They will try to tell you that the diamond is worthless, or worth less than it actually is worth – and offer to take it off your hands or trade it for a much better<br />
diamond, along with the cash to make up the difference. This is called low balling. Get a second, third, and even a forth opinion before taking any action.<br />
<br />
Another common dirty trick is to switch the <b>diamond</b> you have chosen and paid for with one of lesser quality and value when you leave it to be set in a piece of jewelry, or leave a diamond ring to be sized. The only<br />
way to avoid this is to do business with one trustworthy jeweler. Avoid jewelers that you have not done business with in the past.<br />
<br />
There are many more scams that jewelry stores commonly pull on unsuspecting consumers. Just use your best judgment, and purchase your <b>diamonds</b> with the utmost care and consideration.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-22643144240518684582013-09-24T02:08:00.004-07:002013-09-24T02:08:48.586-07:00Diamond Grading ReportsYou’ve been told that having a certificate or a <b>diamond grading report</b> is important, and as a responsible consumer, you get one – unfortunately, you probably won’t understand a word of what is on that diamond grading report, unless you are a jeweler.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-5748053892979264";
/* 336x280, created 1/21/09 Buitenblog */
google_ad_slot = "6183126835";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
//-->
</script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script>
<br />
On the <b>color grading scale</b>, D, E, and F mean that the diamond has no color. G, H, and I means that it has very little color. J, K, and L means that the diamond has a slight yellow color. P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, and X means that the diamond is a darker shade of yellow. Z means that the diamond has a fancy color – other than white or yellow. On the color grading scale, D is the most valuable, and X is the least valuable –<br />
however diamonds that get a Z rating are the rarest and most expensive diamonds in the world.<br />
<br />
There are many aspects to a <b>grading report</b>. Figuring it all out can be very confusing. You should talk to a jeweler you trust, and have them explain everything on the diamond grading report to you.<br />
<br />buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-89269478878612142532012-05-16T20:26:00.000-07:002012-05-16T20:26:00.594-07:00Diamond CertificatesA diamond certificate is also known as a <b>Diamond Grading Report</b>. This report comes from the <i>Gemological Institute of America</i> (GIA), and you should require this report when you are purchasing a diamond.<br /><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-5748053892979264";
/* 300x250 Buitenblog */
google_ad_slot = "7020528142";
google_ad_width = 300;
google_ad_height = 250;
//-->
</script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script><br />With a <b>diamond certificate</b>, you can verify the color, cut, carat, weight, and clarity of the diamond. You don’t have to worry about a diamond dealer telling you anything less than the truth, because the certificate comes from the GIA – not the dealer. You may be required to pay for the certificate, but the cost is usually low, and in many cases, it will help you negotiate a better price on the diamond – or keep you from purchasing a lower quality diamond altogether.<br />
<a name='more'></a>If you buy a high quality diamond, and then later decide to sell the diamond, you will need to have the certificate, or you will have a hard time selling it to someone else. Furthermore, you can use the Diamond Grading Report to look up the wholesale value of the diamond in question. Use the guide that is used by the diamond cutting industry.<br /><br />With the Certificate, or Diamond Grading Report, there won’t be any doubts when you are trying to purchase a diamond. You can easily find out what the diamond is worth. <br />This will prevent you from overpaying, and it can prevent a seller from under-charging as well. <br /><br />A copy of the Diamond Grading Report should be given to your insurance company as well, when you insure the diamond. This <br />provides absolute, unquestionable proof of the value of the diamond should it be stolen in the future. Insurance companies cannot argue with the report.<br /><br />Avoid diamond dealers who seem reluctant to provide a certificate! Also avoid sellers who tell you that a certificate diamond will cost you more – the only additional cost should be the cost of the certificate, which is low. If the dealer doesn’t want to provide a certificate, then you don’t want to do business with that dealer.<br /><br />Don’t accept certificates from Gemological Laboratories other than GIA. There are many fly-by-night Gemological labs these days, but in the end, GIA has been established as the most respectable and trustworthy – not to mention oldest – of the lot. So avoid dealers who don’t want to use GIA for certification purposes as well.<br /><br />Don’t buy an expensive diamond without paying the extra cost of the certificate. If a dealer tries to convince you to make the purchase without the certificate, or if they want to use a company other than GIA, you can be sure that the dealer has probably greatly inflated the price of the diamond – they have something that they are hiding from you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-7854277442296815542012-05-16T20:22:00.002-07:002012-05-16T20:22:22.849-07:00Diamond Brands<b>Diamond Brands and What They Mean</b><br /><br /><b>Diamonds</b> are one of the few products that simply cannot be ‘branded.’ Even though there are different cuts, different grades, and different values placed on each and every diamond in existence, no diamond is any specific brand – just as gold is not a specific brand. <br /><br /><b>Branding</b> is actually based on who owns the diamond. For instance, if DeBeers owns the diamond, it is a DeBeers Diamond – but it is still just a diamond. If the diamond was cut by a specific well known cutter, then it might be branded in that way as well – but it usually isn’t. It is still branded based on who owns it at the time. So basically, when it comes down to it – diamond brands mean absolutely nothing at all. <a name='more'></a><br />Do not allow a jeweler to try to talk you into paying an exorbitant price on a diamond because it is a specific brand. This is a bit of trickery used by unscrupulous jewelers when they know that they are dealing with people who don’t know much about diamonds. Remember that diamonds are <br />not actually branded – unless mother nature has her own brand!<br />buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-38188417077797900022010-02-06T22:28:00.001-08:002010-02-06T22:28:52.420-08:00Colored DiamondsFancy colored diamonds are all the rage<br />these days. Gemologists have developed<br />new ways to create versions that are<br />affordable for the average person - by<br />treating less desirable diamonds. These<br />less desirable diamonds are treated with<br />irradiation followed by intense heat. This<br />turns brown and yellowish diamonds into<br />beautifully colored diamonds that you can<br />afford. This produces stunning greens,<br />blues, yellows, reds, purples and other<br />colors. These colors are considered<br />permanent, but there is a possibility<br />they could change during repairs if a high<br />heat is used.<br /><br />Treatments like irradiation make it possible<br />for more people to own these vividly colored<br />diamonds. Most natural colored diamonds<br />are rare and also extremely expensive. When<br />shopping for colored diamonds you need to<br />assume that any affordable fancy color<br />diamond has been treated. Ask about the<br />stones origin and request to view a lab<br />certificate to verify authenticity.<br /><br />Synthetic colored diamonds are another<br />option if owning a colored diamond is<br />something you desire but cannot quite afford.<br />They are real diamonds, but they are created<br />in a lab.<br /><br />Natural fancy color diamonds get their<br />coloring from different trace elements present<br />in the stones, such as nitrogen, which<br />produces a yellow diamond. Diamonds can<br />be colored by exposure to radiation during its<br />creation. An example of a diamond affected<br />by radiation is a Green diamond.<br /><br />Another way that a natural colored diamond<br />gets color is by its inclusions. Regarded as<br />flaws and undesirable in a colorless diamond,<br />inclusions give unique tones and brilliant<br />flashes of color in a fancy color diamond. <br />Remember that Natural fancy colored<br />diamonds are very expensive, any colored<br />diamond labeled to be sold as natural should<br />be accompanied by a certificate from a<br />respected grading lab.<br /><br />A "fancy" diamond is a natural diamond that<br />has color. These colors vary from red, green,<br />purple, violet, orange, blue and pink – and<br />most shades between. Fancy color shades<br />vary from faint to intense.<br /><br />The most famous diamonds in the world are<br />Color diamonds. The Tiffany Diamond,<br />which is yellow and the Hope Diamond which<br />is blue are colored diamonds. Color<br />diamonds have an amazing financial track<br />record. The value has never decreased on<br />wholesale level in more than 30 years. Blue<br />and pink diamonds have doubled every 5<br />years of a strong economy. In the 1970’s<br />you could have bought a very high quality<br />blue diamond for about 50K and today the<br />very same stone would be worth between<br />2 and 3 million.buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-19863001311172830312009-11-21T20:17:00.002-08:002009-11-21T20:18:33.611-08:00Choosing The Cut of A DiamondThere are many different cuts of diamonds<br />to choose from. The cut essentially refers to<br />the shape that the diamond is cut into –<br />unless you are in the diamond or jewelry<br />business, but this shape has a great impact<br />on the much the diamond sparkles.<br /><br />The most popular cuts are heart, marquise,<br />oval, pear, princess, round, trillion, and<br />emerald cuts. The shape has an impact on<br />how much the diamond sparkles, but the<br />actual cutting itself – when the diamond<br />cutter actually cuts the diamond into a<br />particular shape – also matters a great<br />deal. If the diamond is poorly cut, it will lose<br />its sparkle.<br /><br />However, in the diamond industry, the cut of<br />a diamond doesn’t refer to its shape at all.<br />Instead, this is a reference to the stone’s<br />depth, width, brilliance, durability, clarity, and<br />other aspects of the diamond. Common<br />cutting problems include a missing or off<br />center culet, misalignment, a diamond that<br />is too thick or too thin, cracks, or broken<br />culets.<br /><br />When shopping for a diamond, you should<br />of course choose the shape that you like the<br />best, but then look at several different<br />diamonds of that shape to find the one with<br />the best cut – the one that sparkles the most,<br />in all types of lighting.buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-56092526864490750652009-11-21T20:17:00.001-08:002009-11-21T20:17:49.874-08:00Buying Diamonds OnlineWith all of the potential for scams concerning<br />diamonds, buying diamonds online almost<br />seems unthinkable! However, you actually<br />can purchase diamonds online, without any<br />problems – as long as you are careful.<br /><br />First, think about your reasons for wanting to<br />purchase the diamond online, as opposed to<br />making a purchase from a local jewelry store.<br />The most common reason is price. Due to<br />low overhead costs, online jewelers and<br />wholesalers are able to offer lower prices.<br />However, you must be careful – sometimes<br />a price that is too low is a sure indication of<br />a scam.<br /><br />One of the best things about purchasing<br />online is the unlimited selection. When<br />shopping offline, you are limited to the<br />selection in the stores in your general area.<br />Online, there are no limits. But again, you<br />must use a great deal of care and<br />consideration before handing your money<br />over to someone that you cannot see and<br />have never met!<br /><br />Before shopping, learn as much as you can<br />about diamonds – especially cut, color,<br />clarity and carat weights. When you are<br />knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be<br />harder for a con artist to rip you off. Once<br />you know more about diamonds, you will be<br />ready to start shopping.<br /><br />Take your time. Don’t purchase the first<br />diamond that you see that interests you.<br />Instead, look for similar diamonds for sale.<br />Do some comparison shopping to find the<br />lowest prices. Once you have found the<br />lowest price, start doing your investigation.<br />You know about diamonds, you’ve found a<br />diamond that you love, and you’ve found the<br />lowest price – but you are still quite a ways<br />away from actually purchasing that diamond!<br /><br />Ask about the seller’s credentials, such as<br />professional jewelry associations that they<br />belong to. View and print the seller’s return,<br />refund, and upgrade policies. Also inquire<br />about additional services, such as settings<br />and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Do<br />a search for customer reviews on this<br />particular company around the Internet. Also<br />check with the BBB Online to see if there have<br />been any complaints.<br /><br />Ask for a diamond grading report from an<br />independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD,<br />EGL or AGS. You should see this before<br />making a purchase. Finally, use a reputable<br />escrow service for high dollar diamonds –<br />preferably one that will have the diamond<br />appraised while it is in their possession. The<br />seller sends the diamond to the escrow<br />service, and you send the money to pay for<br />the diamond to the escrow service. The<br />escrow service has the diamond appraised,<br />sends the diamond to you, and sends the<br />money to the seller. This is the surest way to<br />protect yourself…again, make sure that you<br />use a reputable escrow service!buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-28077322926128943772009-11-21T20:16:00.000-08:002009-11-21T20:17:03.484-08:00Bonded DiamondsBefore you start shopping for diamonds,<br />consider dealing with a bonded jeweler.<br />Bonded jewelers sell bonded diamonds,<br />and there are very few bonded jewelers in<br />the world. In fact, out of all of the jeweler’s<br />in the world, only about 5% of them are<br />bonded. Buying a bonded diamond will<br />cost more than buying a non-bonded<br />diamond, but when you look at what you<br />get with the bonded option, you will see<br />that it is well worth the extra expense.<br /><br />First, bonded diamonds have a buy back<br />policy for the life of the diamond. No matter<br />how long you have had the diamond, you can<br />take it back to the bonded jeweler and sell it<br />back to him or her, for a 100% refund. If a<br />jeweler does not offer a 100% buy back<br />guarantee, for the life of the diamond, then<br />you should take a closer look at the diamond<br />to see what is wrong with it.<br /><br />Bonded diamonds also have a breakage<br />policy. If the stone breaks or chips, the<br />bonded jeweler will replace it with a new one<br />– one time. No jeweler would ever offer such<br />a policy on any stone that was not 100%<br />natural, so just the offer of such a policy<br />should give you piece of mind concerning<br />the quality of the diamond. Bonded<br />diamonds are natural and untreated.<br /><br />Bonded diamonds increase in value, with a<br />fixed appreciation rate that is designed to<br />keep up with inflation. This means that a<br />diamond that is worth a certain amount of<br />money today will be worth more in the future,<br />as the price of diamonds continues to rise.<br />This generally does not apply to buy backs,<br />however. It typically applies to trade-ins.<br /><br />Alternately, by purchasing a bonded<br />diamond, you are protected against the<br />possibility of a market crash. If a market<br />crash occurs, the value of diamonds will<br />drop. However, the bonded jeweler<br />guarantees to refund you the difference<br />between what the diamond is now worth<br />and what you paid for it before the market<br />crash.<br /><br />It may be difficult to find a bonded jeweler in<br />your area, but if you can, this is who you<br />want to deal with, as opposed to dealing<br />with an un-bonded jeweler. Specifically tell<br />the jeweler that you are only interested in<br />bonded diamonds. You can find a bonded<br />jeweler in your area by using various online<br />resources, or by calling the local jewelry<br />stores.buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-25725801271148672352009-11-21T20:15:00.000-08:002009-11-21T20:16:25.568-08:00Are Diamonds Really Rare?When you walk into a jewelry store and see<br />all the diamonds in all of the various settings<br />that are for sale, it is difficult to realize that<br />diamonds are indeed rare. Most people<br />don’t even stop to consider how that<br />diamond came to be sitting in that jeweler’s<br />case! There is quite a bit of work that is done<br />before a diamond is ready to sell to the<br />general public!<br /><br />For every one million diamonds that are<br />mined, only one will be found that is a quality<br />one caret diamond. In order to find a two<br />caret diamond, about five million diamonds<br />must be mined. More than two hundred tons<br />of ore must be mined to find one small<br />diamond, and even then, more than 80%<br />of the diamonds that are mined are only<br />good for industrial use, such as diamond<br />drill bits.<br /><br />So, the next time you visit your local jewelry<br />store, ask to see the one carat diamonds.<br />You should look at this diamond with new<br />appreciation – knowing that it truly is one<br />in a million!buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-46196478336944957232009-11-21T20:14:00.000-08:002009-11-21T20:15:22.204-08:00All About the Clarity of DiamondsClarity is an important aspect of a diamond,<br />and it is important to know how to grade the<br />clarity of a diamond before you buy one. It is<br />actually quite easy to learn how to grade the<br />clarity of a diamond. There are basically two<br />things that you must understand: Diamonds<br />with visual inclusions and blemishes, and<br />those that are ‘eye clean’ meaning that there<br />are no inclusions or blemishes that can be<br />seen with the naked eye. From there, the<br />clarity of a diamond is further broken down<br />into subcategories.<br /><br />Many people mistakenly think that diamond<br />clarity refers to how clear it is. This isn’t so.<br />Clarity actually refers to the internal and<br />external imperfections of the diamond. The<br />best diamonds, of course get a grade of FL<br />or IF – Flawless or Internally Flawless –<br />meaning that it is perfect. A grade of I-1, I-2<br />or I-3 means that the diamond is imperfect,<br />with a grade of I-3 being the worst.<br /><br />Other grades are VVS1 and VVS2, which<br />means that the diamond is very, very slightly<br />imperfect; VS1 and VS2, meaning the<br />diamond is very slightly imperfect; SI-1 and<br />SI-2, which means that the diamond is<br />slightly imperfect.buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5894117940950086153.post-39356473591689536762009-11-09T03:01:00.001-08:002009-11-09T03:01:39.289-08:00About Diamond WeightsDiamonds are measured in Carat Weight.<br />One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a<br />diamond is referred to as four grains, this<br />also means that it is a one carat diamond.<br />The word Carat comes from the word carob.<br />A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the<br />Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond<br />weighed the same as a carob bean, it was<br />one carob, or one carat.<br /><br />However, in the far east, where Carob trees<br />do not grow, rice was used to measure the<br />weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed<br />as much as four grains of rice, it was four<br />grains – or one carat as we know it to be<br />now. The majority of diamond purchases<br />are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat.<br /><br />Beware when shopping for diamonds that<br />are already set or mounted. If more than one<br />diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the<br />jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total<br />Weight – it does not tell you the carat weight<br />of each stone in the piece. You need to ask<br />the jeweler for the total carat weight of the<br />largest diamond in the piece to truly<br />understand what you are buying.buitenzorghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14635638594785938903noreply@blogger.com