What is a Diamond

The word Diamond is derived from the Greek adamas (and hence the English adamant!) an early recognition that it is the hardest of all natural minerals. This supreme hardness is combined with exceptional luster and light dispersion, giving the diamond lasting fiery brilliance for which it is prized.

Diamonds are blessed with three extraordinary qualities:

First, a diamond possesses unique powers of light reflection. When properly cut, it gathers light within itself, reflecting it back in a shower of fire and brilliance.
Second, it is the only gem mineral composed of a single, unadulterated element, making it the purest of earths gemstones.
Thirdly, it is the hardest transparent substance known to man. The only material that can cut a diamond is another diamond!

It is fitting that the purest and most brilliant of all the worlds stones should also be the most enduring one. These qualities make a diamond the perfect symbol of engagement and love.

Information about Diamonds

Approximately 30 tons of stone have  to be dug up  and moved at great expense in order to find  a one carat(=0.2 Grams) diamond. And as much as 250 tons of stone has to be worked to produce as an end product a polished one carat diamond. 

From the entire world wide yearly production, nearly 80% is used by industry. Only about 20% are worthy of being polished and used for making jewelry. Only about 1% is suitable for investment purposes!

During the time since 1928, during which gold rose 500% in value, diamonds increased 4,000% in value.

The famous 4 c´s: Carat, Cut ,Color, Clarity

Carat :

The term carat originates from the natural unit of measure, the seed of the St Jones bread. At one time its seeds were used as the basis of measurement. Today metric measurements are used, with a carat being one fifth of a gram.(0.2grams). As a rule, the larger the diamond, the more rare it is. This should be borne in mind when you make your decision.


Cut:

Types of cut: Here the most common forms:
Diamond cut, heart shape, oval cut, Marquise cut, drop shape, emerald cut, princess cut.

The cut of a diamond is of decisive value, because the more exact the cut, the more excellent its power- the sparkle and fire of the diamond. With a well proportioned cut, the light is broken and sent from facet to facet and reflected back in a bundled form. Only through a perfect cut and positioning of the facets (very good/very good ) will your diamond achieve its highest degree of brilliance. Which cut you choose is not the main thing, but is rather a matter of personal taste.


Color:

Most diamonds appear to be colorless. Still , there are light color variations brought on by traces of other natural elements during the diamonds creation on the atomic level. The amount of those traces decides the color. 
The closer the diamond comes to being colorless, the more rare and valuable it is. 
Only a diamond rated River D is absolutely colorless!

Clarity:

Every diamond is an unmistakably unique product of nature. Diamonds of highest perfection are rare. Perfect clarity, also called flawlessness, is found when even under ten times magnification no inclusions or any other characteristics can be seen.