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About Diamonds
Formed over 500,000 years ago, diamonds are the hardest natural substance known to man.
Gem quality diamonds are not only durable and rare but the unique way in which light is reflected from their back facets (reflective index) gives them an amazing sparkling beauty of their own.
Choosing diamond jewellery should be a fun and exciting experience.
Susannah's experience and qualifications as a gemmologist mean that your investment in diamonds is truly reflected in the price you pay. And should you wish to know more about your individual purchase, then she is happy to explain further. Moreover, it's also reassuring to know that her diamonds have been ethically sourced.
Diamonds are precious, a symbol of eternal love - That's what makes your diamond a one off.
What to look for
The value and desirability of natural diamonds is determined by four key facets:
- Clarity - not surprisingly, the closer a diamond is to a flawless condition, the more it's worth. Conversely, the more inclusions (irregularities or marks) it has, the less it's valued. The larger inclusions can be seen by the naked eye.
- Cut - diamond cutting requires great skill to achieve the best results. And the most skilful cutters take account of the individual characteristics of each one to achieve optimum brilliance and the ideal proportions.
- Colour - Most diamonds are colourless, with the Exceptionally White Plus (D) at the top end of the scale. While tints of colour tend to depress value, some colours (like deep red) can command high prices, especially when the colour is very intense - these are known as Fancy Coloured Diamonds. Black diamonds have also recently become more fashionable.
- Carat - Although popularly thought to relate to size, the carat is a unit of weight. And the reason is because there's a relationship between size and weight. So, a 1 carat diamond with ideal proportions has a corresponding diameter of 6.5mm. But as we know, the biggest (or heaviest) isn't always the best!
Ethical Sourcing
The issue of 'conflict' diamonds (ie diamonds which funded wars in Angola and Sierra Leone) is one that the trade has worked hard to eradicate. Indeed, since the introduction of the UN Kimberley process of certification, the supply of diamonds is now 99% conflict-free. Chenevix Jewellery only buys diamonds from established reputable dealers so you can be assured that your diamonds have been ethically sourced.
Natural Diamonds
Although treated or synthetic diamonds may look genuine - even to the expert eye - there's no substitute for the real thing. And that's reflected in the price.
Because it's so difficult to tell whether a diamond has been treated to remove inclusions, it's vital to buy from a trusted source. That's why Susannah only buys natural diamonds from credited and trusted suppliers.
Caring for Diamonds
As with anything precious, it's important to know how to care for diamond jewellery. So here are a few, but essential dos and don'ts:
- Don't allow any sharp impacts or knocks, as the mounting might become damaged
- Don't let diamonds rub against each other, which could cause abrasion
- Do ensure any stones which become loose are re-fixed by a jeweller without delay
- Only use a mild detergent for cleaning, and just use a small paintbrush or soft toothbrush
© Susannah Chenevix-Trench
