Diamond at a glance

WHAT IS A DIAMOND? The word DIAMOND comes from the Greek word ADAMAS, which means indestructible. It is the only gem known to man that is made of a single element, Carbon besides Graphite. Diamond is completely made of Carbon Atoms (chemical composition- C) crystallized in a cubic (isometric) arrangement.

THE MOST FAMOUS DIAMONDS

GOLDEN JUBILEE CUT: ROSE- CUSHION COLOR: FANCY YELLOW BROWN POLISHED WEIGHT: 545.67 CARATS ROUGH WEIGHT: 755.00 CARATS INFO: THE GOLDEN HUBILEE IS THE LARGEST CUT DIAMOND OF THE WORLD, IT HAS 15.47 CARATS MORE THAN THE CULLINAN. IT IS MOUNTED ON THE IMPERIAL CROWN OF THAILAND.

THE CULLINAN CUT: ASSORTED (CUSHIONS, PEARS, MARQUISES) COLOR: WHITE POLISHED WEIGHT: 530.2 CARATS ROUGH WEIGHT: 3106.75 CARATS INFO: THE CULLINAN DIAMOND IS THE LARGEST ROUGH GEM QUALITY DIAMOND EVER FOUND at 3106.75 CARATS.

5 C’s OF DIAMOND CARAT: The Weight of DIAMOND is measured in CARATs. There are 100 points to a carat. A carat is equal to one fifth of a gram and there are 132 carats to one ounce. For instance, a 25 point diamond is ½ carat. COLOR: DIAMONDS come in all colors of the spectrum ranging from colorless- the rarest and most valuable to---- yellowish, reddish. Most diamonds appear white. The majority of diamonds are warmer whites with tinge of yellow or brown. There are also diamonds in pastel colors such as pink, green, and champagne.

CUT: The cutter decides what shape the diamond will be CUT: The cutter decides what shape the diamond will be. He takes into consideration the shape of the rough, its size, inclusions and how much weight will be lost in the cutting. The most popular shape for the engagement diamond is the round brilliant cut. The shapes of the facets differ in each of the cuts and these tiny polished planes of the surface of each diamond account for its brilliance and fire. 

CLARITY: Bright and sparkling diamonds may appear all the same, but each one is different. In the process of crystallizing diamonds out of carbon, there are miniscule birthmarks-specks, bubbles and 'feathers' left in most of them. These natural characteristics are called 'inclusions'. Because of inclusions, each diamond has its own individuality. CERTIFICATE: The diamond certificate, which is sometimes called a grading report, is a complete evaluation of your diamond that has been performed by a qualified professional with the help of special gemological instruments. Each stone bears its own recognizable, individual characteristics, which is listed on the certificate.

(MATERIAL PROPERTIES) DIAMOND IS THE HARDEST NATURAL SUBSTANCE ON EARTH, BUT IF PLACED IN AN OVEN AT 1405 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT(7630 DEGREES CELCIUS), IT WILL VANISH. ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF CARBON DIOXIDE WILL HAVE BEEN RELEASED.

FORMATION IN THE EARTH DIAMOND IS A POLYMORPH FORM OF CARBON. THE OTHER IS GRAPHITE. FOR CARBON TO TURN INTO DIAMOND 3 FACTORS ARE NEEDED: TIME, VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE & VERY HIGH PRESSURE. THE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS IN THE EARTH ARE KNOWN AS GEOTHERMS. THE MAIN BEARING DIAMOND ROCKS ARE KIMBERLITE. DIAMONDS CAN BE FORMED GOING DOWN TOWARDS THE MANTLE OF THE EARTH, GOING UP TOWARDS THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH AND ALSO ON IMPACT.

PRODUCERS OF DIAMOND