Diamonds are as ancient as the earth, yet have actually been valued by human beings merely over the last five centuries, starting when lapidaries (stone-cutters) perfected faceting. Within their natural condition, diamonds resemble a chunk of uninteresting glass-no amazing flashes of brightness. Faceting is the craft of cutting a gem so it has flat edges, displaying the inner fire.

The very first attribute of a quality diamond, consequently, is the cut. After a while, experienced craftsmen discovered that 58 facets was in fact the magic amount that maximized beauty and fire. The "Tolkowsky Cut" is considered the most precise, pursuing rigorous proportions between the width, depth, and angle of each cut. Diamonds cut to this kind of precision are scarce and extremely steeply-priced.

Many gems in the open market are cut to within just "range" of the Tolkowsky dimensions. These are generally called "Ideal Cut" and are far more dazzling than ones not in the spectrum. Bear in mind, however, that staying within range or ideal isn't faceted to the exact Tolkowsky standard. That isn't an issue to most folks, because the big difference is not always obvious to the naked eye, plus perfection is probably not worth the extra cost. Symmetry refers to the degree in which the facets are equal in size and how they line up with each other. A poorly-cut diamond does not have fire, although a professional cut can conquer minimal imperfections.

Because they're regarded as hard, diamonds are frequently considered to be unbreakable. They are not, as quite a few have discovered. They're fragile, which means they crack or chip easily. Great faceting will decrease damage, but does not take away the need for careful handling.

Although the cut is considered to be the most crucial factor in diamonds, shade is also a mark of quality. Diamonds are available in a variety of colors, with tones of white being typically the most popular. The absence of color, or transparency, has led to the moniker of ice. The finest whites are rare, so many which are sold as "white" have tinges of color which aren't discernible to the everyday shopper. One technique to evaluate the presence of color is to place the stone on a white-colored surface, like a piece of paper.

Chemically, diamonds are carbon in the crystalline form. Similar to most gems, diamonds may include small amounts of additional minerals. The proper mineral within the suitable proportion is exactly what produces desirable colorations. "Fancies" refers to the colored stones. Diamonds are available in a range of colorings, each which has its supporters. Red is definitely the rarest. The magnificent Hope Diamond is rich blue. Commonly it isn't the actual color that produces value, but the depth and concentration of the colors.

The third element in establishing level of quality is clarity. Diamonds could have very small flaws, like cracks, bubbles, lines, or cloudiness, that minimize their transparency and excellence. Those flaws are often caused by chemical impurities. Expert faceting can shape the stone so that the defects are eliminated or hidden, rendering it an item of worth and beauty.

Diamonds are weighed by the carat. Bigger stones are rarer than smaller sized versions, which means that a two-carat diamond will definitely cost several times greater than one-carat will. Experts normally recommend purchasing a smaller diamond with good clarity and that's cut nicely, rather than a larger one that is of lesser quality.

Fake diamonds are common. Perhaps the most commonly known is cubic zirconia, or CZ. There are others, such as white sapphire. Additionally, artificial look-alikes have been created that can be identified only by expert assessment. Diamonds may also be "treated" to improve the clarity. Treatments normally are not problems if the buyer has been fully advised. Less than reliable dealers often fail to adequately reveal such matters. Various other treatment options, like applying a covering that changes the coloring, are illegal. To guarantee high quality when choosing a diamond, definitely go a reputable jeweler and ask a lot of questions.