Monthly Archives: December 2011

Keep Your Diamond Sparkling: Tips for Diamond Care and Cleaning

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Three Stone Diamond Ring

Diamonds may be the hardest type of jewelry, but they are not indestructible, so take the time to care for your precious gem and you’ll enjoy its beauty for years to come. Here are a few tips to help you keep your diamond ring sparkling, clean and safe:

Protect your diamond from harsh chemicals such as chlorine and other abrasives. These chemicals can remove the finish on your diamond and erode some of the metal used in diamond settings. Also avoid getting lotions, hair products, household chemicals and skin oils on your diamond regularly, as these can build up and cause your bauble to become dull. Don’t handle your diamond more than you need to so you can avoid getting excess skin oil on it. Also keep your diamond safe by taking it off when you do hard labor or activities involving cleaning chemicals.

Keep your diamond in its own storage case, separate from other types of jewelry. Diamonds can scratch other types of gem stones as well as scratch other diamonds. When you remove your diamond, don’t leave it out by the sink or anywhere except in its case. Also do not clean your diamond by the sink, as you run the risk of your bauble falling down the drain.

Clean your diamond regularly. Use a jewelry cleaner from your local jeweler or an ammonia solution. Allow your diamond to soak in the solution for at least an hour once or twice a week. When you remove your diamond from the solution, use a soft, clean toothbrush to gently wipe away any excess dirt or buildup. Focus on the back of the diamond, which is usually where the most dirt and oil accumulates. Dry your diamond with a lint-free cloth.

Take your diamond to your jeweler for a more thorough cleaning and inspection once a year. Your jeweler can also perform any needed repair work when you bring your gem in.

 

International Diamond Centers: Where Diamonds Come to Life

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Diamond Exchange Building

Before diamonds reach your ears and engagement rings, they pass through diamond centers for grading. The centers are located in many of the world’s top cities, such as New York, London, Mumbai and Tel Aviv. Antwerp has been at the forefront of the diamond industry since the 14th century and is internationally recognized as the world’s leading diamond grading center.

The Antwerp Diamond Square Mile is a short walk from historic Central Station in Antwerp, Belgium. According to industry estimates, 80 percent of the world’s diamonds enter the market through the Antwerp Diamond Square Mile. The district is home to four major diamond exchanges, 1,500 international diamond companies, diamond banks and roughly 3,500 brokers. The Antwerp Diamond Square Mile is known for its extensive selection of industrial, rough and polished diamonds.

For more than three centuries, London has been a major distribution center for rough diamonds. Hatton Garden, a street in Central London, is known across the globe as one of the finest jewelry centers in Europe. The street is lined with 300 diamond companies and 55 shops, which combine to make up the largest concentration of jewelry retailers in the United Kingdom. The shops offer everything from classic styles to one-of-a-kind pieces from the world’s top designers.

The New York Diamond District is located in Midtown Manhattan, steps away from Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall and Times Square. The district rose to international prominence after World War II due to the influx of Jewish immigrants from Belgium. The New York Diamond District is the gateway to the U.S. market. Approximately 90 percent of diamonds that enter the U.S. come through the district. The New York Diamond Dstricit has 2,600 retailers and is known as one of the world’s top manufacturing centers for large diamond sizes.

Los Angeles Diamond District is located in downtown Los Angeles, steps away from Pershing Square. This district is smaller than the New York diamond exchange but their are over 1,000 retailers and diamond dealers in downtown Los Angeles. You can find a lot of retailer’s who specialize in engagement rings in Los Angeles.

Tel Aviv, Israel, is among the most technologically advanced diamond cutting facilities in the world. Nearly $4 billion worth of fancy cut diamonds are exported from the city each year, the majority of which go to U.S. markets. Israel’s diamond center is located approximately 10 minutes outside of Tel Aviv in Ramut Gan. The Israel Diamond Exchange is comprised of four towering buildings that contain 1,200 diamond companies and the world’s largest diamond trading floor.

Mumbai, India, is a major exporter of diamonds due to its high-quality diamonds at more reasonable prices. India’s diamonds are produced in Surat and sold by thousands of diamond retailers that line the streets of Mumbai.

Tips to Understand Diamond Clarity

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Diamond clarity can be confusing for the everyday diamond buyer to understand, but you can get a good grasp on clarity indicators with some basic background information and terms.

The majority of natural diamonds have identifying characteristics known as flaws. The visibility of the flaws is dependent on its location in the diamond. Some flaws are visible to the naked eye. However, most flaws in jewelry grade diamonds can only be seen with a jeweler’s magnifying loupe.

Diamond clarity refers to the presence or absence of surface flaws known as blemishes and inner flaws called inclusions.

Diamond blemishes do not generally compromise the structure of the stone. Common types of diamond blemishes include nicks, abrasions, scratches, wheel marks, surface grain lines and burn marks. The flaws are generally caused during the cutting and polishing process.

Diamond inclusions can impact value, grade, beauty and the overall durability of the diamond. The inclusions range from surface level chips or openings, to cloudy, white or gray spots. Feathers and cracks are more serious inclusion flaws that note a break in a diamond. Feather or crack inclusions can cause the diamond to split in two.

Before purchasing your diamond, be sure to understand its grade. Flawless diamonds are designated as Fl, which means that there are no internal or external flaws present. Internally Flawless—or IF diamonds are free of internal flaws but have some external blemishes.

Very, Very, Slightly Included – or VVS 1 & VVS2 diamonds have small inclusions that are difficult for jewelry graders to detect. Very Slightly Included or VS1 & VS2 diamonds also have small inclusions that are also not likely to be detected by graders.

Diamonds with inclusions that are noticeable by graders are designated as Slightly Included—or SI1 & SI2. The lowest graded diamonds are designate as I1, I2, & I3 – or Included. These stones have obvious flaws that impact brilliance and transparency.

Guide to Buying Diamond Earrings

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Diamond earrings offer an elegant sparkle to compliment any dressy ensemble. Deciding what type of diamond studs to decorate your ears with depends on your personal taste. There are a few basic factors to consider when buying diamond earrings, outlined below:

Quality

As with all diamond jewelry, the quality of your earrings depends on the carat, color, cut and clarity. Carat is the weight of your diamonds. The more carats you have, the more valuable the diamonds are. Color also determines the value of diamonds, with clear diamonds being more desirable than off-white or ivory-colored ones. Clear diamonds reflect more light and sparkle more than off-white colors. Colored diamonds are the most valuable and come in hues ranging from green and blue to yellow.

The cut of your diamond is how your diamond is cut during processing and determines the shape and brilliance of your gem. Good cuts of diamonds allow the diamond to reflect as much light as possible, giving the gem a sparkling quality. Princess cuts are highly valued in diamond earrings because they offer the maximum amount of light reflection with a square cut. Emerald cuts are more affordable as they sparkle less but still offer a brilliant shine with long, straight lines in a rectangular shape.

Clarity is the amount of imperfections or flaws in your diamond studs. Flawless diamonds with no imperfections are the most expensive and rare. Internally flawless – or IF – diamonds are free of internal flaws but have some external blemishes. Jewelers have a rating system for the degree of flaws in diamonds, which you can check out on our Diamond Clarity post. (link post on Clarity).

Mounting

Choose diamond earrings that are mounted on white gold or platinum, as yellow gold will add a yellow cast to your gems.

World’s Biggest Diamond Heists

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Schiphol Airport

Diamond heists have captured the public’s imagination for centuries. The exciting tales about gangs of thieves looting diamond vaults and trucks for the coveted gems has been mimicked in crime fiction novels and dozens of Hollywood films. But there are several real-life heists that trump all fictional accounts on the subject.

The Hauge, Netherlands’ Museon of Museum of Science was the setting of one of the country’s biggest diamond thefts. The museum hosted a diamond exhibit in December of 2002 that featured royal jewels and rare pieces from private collectors. After closing on Sunday evening, a group of thieves entered the museum and looted the diamonds in six of 28 display cases that were used in the exhibit.  When the museum reopened the following Tuesday, the heist was discovered.

The heist dumfounded investigators since the diamonds were housed in motion-detection cabinets behind reinforced glass, guarded by a 24-hour security detail and monitored around-the-clock by surveillance cameras. In all, thieves stole $12 million worth of diamonds. The stones were never recovered and no arrests were made.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport was the sight of arguably the most expensive diamond heist of all-time. In February 2005, a shipment of diamonds worth an estimated $118 million was being prepared for air transport to Antwerp, Belgium, the diamond capital of the world. The diamonds were to be transported via KLM airlines.

On the day of transport, the diamond-transport truck was intercepted on the airport tarmac by a group of thieves dressed in stolen KLM uniforms and driving a stolen KLM cargo track. Armed gunmen forced the drivers out of the cargo truck carrying the diamonds then drove the truck off the airport grounds.

The theft took place in broad daylight in front of hundreds of onlookers. However, the diamonds were never recovered.

The theft took place in broad daylight in front of hundreds of onlookers. However, the diamonds were never recovered.

Kate Middleton’s Diamond Earrings

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Kate Middleton Diamond's

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has been a fashion template since captivating the world’s attention with her princess fairytale. Middleton’s diamond-studded Cartier tiara was simply stunning during the wedding of the century, while her 19-carat diamond engagement ring is fit for a queen. But Middleton’s taste in diamond earrings reveals her affinity for timeless, elegant pieces.

The earrings worn by Kate Middleton on her wedding day were the perfect accessory for a princess in waiting. The stylish earrings were a gift from her parents, and they feature a diamond oak leaf and acorn design that represent the Middleton family’s coat of arms.

Middleton’s mother and sister were wearing stylish earrings as well. Pippa Middleton, Kate’s sister, wore an eye-catching pair of diamond drop earrings. Kate’s mother, Mrs. Middleton, wore acorn and leaf earrings with two gold stick pins. The acorn and leaf design on the earrings were symbolic of Mrs. Middleton’s son and husband, respectively.

The earrings worn by the Middleton’s at the royal wedding were handmade by a British craftsman, and designed by famed British jeweler Robinson Pelham. Robinson Pelham’s clientele includes a staggering list of luminaries from Britain’s high society, as well as art and fashion worlds.

During the honeymooning Royals’ tour of the U.S. and Canada, Middleton garnered attention for wearing a fashionable pair of earrings that originally belonged to Princess Diana. Princess Diana’s diamond and sapphire stud earrings were among her most treasured accessories, and she wore them to numerous events and functions during the 1980s and 1990s. Prince William had Di’s earrings remolded into drop earrings as a gift to his wife. The reimagining of the family heirloom brought the earrings into a modern-era where they could be appreciated by a new generation of diamond lovers.

Diamond Watches Show More Than Time

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Kim Kardashian Diamond Watch

Celebrities from Jay-Z to Kim Kardashian have been spotted wearing diamond-studded watches, and some celebs, such as Kardashian, even offer their own brand of diamond watches. Diamond watches come in endless styles and sizes, and you can find the best one to suit your needs with some basic shopping tips.

Look for the Four Cs

The Four Cs of buying diamonds include cut, color, clarity and carat. Carat tells you the weight of the diamonds in your watch. If there is more than one diamond – which is common in watches – the carat total weight or ct TW tells you how much all of the diamonds weigh. Clarity tells the amount of flaws in your diamonds. For more information on clarity ratings, see our post on Clarity insert link. Color is the intensity and hue of your diamond. Most watches are made with white diamonds, which range from translucent, which is the most sparkling and desirable of the white diamonds, to brownish or off-white colors. Colored diamonds are the most expensive and come in a variety of hues, from blue and purple to red and black.

Guarantees

A diamond watch is a weighty purchase, so you want to make sure you get one that lasts. You can get a watch from a jeweler, online or at a trade show. No matter where you get your watch from, make sure it comes with a warranty or manufacturer’s guarantee. Be sure to ask about the details of the warranty so you know how long you can get repairs and maintenance work done on your watch without having to pay. If you get your watch from a jeweler, you’ll have the added benefit of being able to return to the store for routine maintenance, questions or repairs. For online purchases, you will probably have to mail your watch back if there is a problem with it.

Band

The type of band you want in a watch depends on personal preference. Platinum is a popular material for diamond watch bands, and other choices include silver, white gold, yellow gold and rose gold. Ask your jeweler about the makeup of your watch so you know of any special precautions you will need to take, such as polishing it regularly or avoiding water.

Other Tips

Your diamond watch should be sturdy enough to last for years, so make sure the construction is solid. The watch should have a solid safety grip and be water-resistant to guard against loss or breaking. Try out the clasp to make sure it is easy to clasp and unclasp and stays secure when you jiggle your wrist around.

Winner’s Circle: Championship Diamond Rings

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Professional sports championship rings have evolved from understated symbols of athletic prowess to gaudy pieces that put diamond-studded engagement rings to shame. The rings are awarded annually to members of victorious teams in various major sports leagues and the designs are more elaborate as teams try to outdo one another.

The National Football League is the United States’ most popular sport, and the league’s premier event, the Super Bowl, is America’s highest-rated televised event each year.  It’s only appropriate that winners of the country’s most popular sporting events have a ring that is fitting of their accomplishment.  Winners of the first Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers, were given a one-carat diamond ring that was valued at $750. Fast forward to 2002, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl Ring was a 54-diamond masterpiece valued at an eye-popping $54,000.

The most diamond-studded Super Bowl ring belongs to the 2004 New England Patriots, winners of Super Bowl XXIX. Their ring contains 124 diamonds and weighs more than a quarter of a pound.

Basketball has become the world’s second most popular sport behind soccer. The National Basketball Association is the top professional basketball league. The NBA Finals, played annually in June, is the league’s championship series, and members of the winning team are awarded the coveted championship rings.

The 2010 Los Angeles Lakers have won 16 NBA titles, second only to their bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics. The Lakers defeated the Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals, and were awarded a stunning championship ring that featured 16-oversized diamonds, which represented each of the team’s championship seasons. The rings also featured a three-dimensional sculpture of each player’s face.

America’s past-time, baseball, has been a prominent fixture in American life since the late-1800s. Major League Baseball has been awarding World Series championship rings since the early 1920s. The most stunning World Series ring to date belongs to the 2010 San Francisco Giants. The ring was the first MLB championship ring designed by the world-famous Tiffany & Co. It features a stunning 18K white-gold band and 77 diamonds that total one-carat of stones.

Learn About Diamond Shapes

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Diamond Shapes

Diamonds look dazzling in many forms, and the endless options in shape, size and cut can be overwhelming for the average customer.  Knowing what the common diamond shapes are can help you decide if you have a preference for a certain type. Here is a basic rundown:

Round Brilliant Diamonds

These are the most common kinds of diamonds, accounting for more than 75 percent of diamonds sold today. The round brilliant diamonds include 58 different facets. Round brilliant diamonds are popular in engagement rings, stud earrings and pendants. Because of the high demand for round brilliant diamonds, they are more expensive than many diamond shapes.

Oval Diamonds

Oval diamonds are often cut in the 58-facet brilliant style. Ovals are popular shapes for engagement rings as well as for three-stone anniversary rings. Oval diamonds can have an elongating effect on hands, helping women with short fingers look like they have longer ones. Ovals are popular and command a high price.

Marquise Diamonds

Marquise diamonds have an elongated shape with pointed ends inspired by the Frenchman Marquise de Pompadour. The marquise diamond is shaped like a football and the brilliant variety has 58 facets. Some marquise diamonds have less facets, with 56. Marquise diamonds are often used for rings and offer a change from the usual round and oval diamond rings. These diamonds look best on slender fingers.

Pear-Shaped Diamonds

Pear-shaped diamonds are a combination of the oval and marquise shapes, offering a teardrop look. Pear shaped diamonds are used in rings and are also popular for pendants and earrings. Pear-shaped diamonds look becoming on small or average length fingers.

Emerald Cut Diamond

Diamonds with an emerald cut have a rectangular shape with cut corners. The emerald cut diamond has 58 facets but due to the way the diamond is cut, it reflects less light than other diamonds with the same amount of facets, making it sparkle less. Emerald cut diamonds offer a classic, regal look and are most often used in rings.

Size Matters: Diamond Carat Weight

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Carat weight is one of the four Cs – color, clarity, carat and cut — to look for when buying a diamond. Carat weight tells you how big the diamond size is by letting you know the weight of the gem.

Diamonds are measured in carats, with one carat equaling 200 milligrams of actual weight. Carats is often abbreviated with a ct. The abbreviation ct TW denotes carat total weight, which means the total weight of multiple diamonds in one piece of jewelry. So a necklace with a 1 ct diamond and two .25 ct diamonds has a ct TW of 1.5, for instance.

Size Guidelines

The carat size of the diamond or diamonds you buy will be determined by your budget, the cut of the diamond, personal preference and your size. If you are buying a ring for someone with small fingers, for instance, a diamond that is 1 ct or more may look quite large. The same ring on someone with thick fingers may appear average or even small, however. The cut of the diamond also determines how the size of the diamond looks, with oblong diamonds often appearing larger than square or circle cuts.

Here are some basic guidelines on carat weight:

For round diamonds, 0.10 carat is equal to about 3.0 millimeters in diameter. A 1 ct round diamond is about 6.55 mm in diameter, a 2 ct is about 8.2 mm in diameter, and 5 ct is about 11 mm in diameter.

For princess cut or square diamonds, .25 ct is about 3.4 x 3.4 mm, 1 ct is about 5.5 x 5.5 mm, 2 ct is 7.5 x 7.5 mm and 5 ct is 9.5 x 9.5 mm.

For oval diamonds, .25 ct is about 5.0 x 3.0 mm, 1 ct is 7.5 x 5.5 mm, 2 ct is 9.5 x 7.5 mm and 5 ct is 12.0 x 10.0 mm.