Diamonds- Talking about Diamonds and Diamond Rings » diamonds

Diamond Rings and Valentines Day

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:14:45 +0000

Giving a diamond ring and prposing on Valentines day is something many romantic people like doing. At Polished Diamonds we think it is a bit ‘cheesy’ to pop the question on a day that is forced upon us but all the same we like to help and supply engagement rings and diamonds to our special clients. If you are looking for a unique diamond ring for Valentines day or any other day then do email us for wholesale rates and quality on all diamond engagement rings.

The Girdle of a Polished Diamond

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:52:17 +0000

Buying a Diamond Ring is important and it pays to get a Diamond that really sparkles. Have you ever wonder what the words “diamond girdle” means, when you see it mentioned on a GIA diamond certificate or grading report? Well, the girdle is exactly what it implies (;-), the outer most circumference or rim of a diamond. Some diamond girdles are polished, which is where the diamond cutter actually creates facets around the girdle. Other Girdles, are left in their natural, or unpolished state, which appears grayish and lack the sparkle. Girdles come in different sizes, Thin – Medium – Thick as well as extreme sub-measurements of these like extremely thin and extremely thick. An extremely thick girdle is often applied to maintain carat weight and push the diamond into a key price bracket such as 1.00 carat. If this same diamond was cut to ideal proportions it would maybe become a 0.95 carat. The thick girdles therefore influence the depth percentage of a diamond. A very thin Girdle can be brittle and proce to chipping. We therefore recommend a Girdle that is thin to medium. For further information about Girdles and how to pick the perfect diamond visit our website at www.polisheddiamonds.us or view our selection of loose diamonds. Purchasing a loose diamond or a diamond ring is important and it pays to get it right first time – use our help to get it right!

Diamond Education – Polished Diamonds

admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:50:44 +0000

Buying diamonds or diamond jewellery is an important, emotional and serious event but should also remain enjoyable and memorable. Polished Diamonds™ have certified Diamond Grading Technicians that will happily discuss technical aspects so for a personal, friendly approach contact us directly. We created this ‘educational’ so clients can make an informed decision and buy better quality diamonds and diamond jewellery. At anytime, go to our award winning online shop and view Diamonds, Wedding Rings and Diamond Engagement Ringswhich are custom made for each unique client. We are here to help so please ask questions, feel comfortable about buying not from the ‘Net’ but from us - a Registered Diamond Company, Industry Guardians with Flexible Terms - let’s explore the options.

Diamonds are unique in that they can be categorized by characteristics associated with the material, namely Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat. The value and rarity of diamonds has produced unique parameters for grading these characteristics, in laboratory conditions. Detailed reports are produced for each diamond and these enable a safe and secure purchase without actually viewing the diamonds involved. The integrity and accuracy of the grading report is therefore a very important factor – what good is a diamond if the documents are wrong. The most trustworthy and accurate diamond grading report is the GIA (Gemological Institute of America). The GIA invented the modern diamond grading system and are the Worlds Authority on Diamonds, they are the most accurate and prudent facility – there is no better laboratory to certify your diamond. Over 95% of the diamonds we sell are graded, audited, tested, approved and certificated by the Worlds best – the GIA.

So the 4 C’s of Diamonds refer to Carat, Cut, Colour and Clarity and we like to include the 5th C, – Certification. If a diamond is graded by an inaccurate diamond laboratory the colour, clarity, carat and cut will be incorrect. Always insist on accurate diamond grading or you’ll be buying a lemon when an apple is required.

Diamond Carat: refers to a measurement of weight as opposed to size. Originally a ‘carab’ was a seed which was used as a weight measure – this adaption is where carat derives its name. 1 carat is equal to 100 points; so 75 points is ¾ of a carat. Carat is the most price sensitive part of a diamond as it refers to the mass and a proportionate size. Diamonds are rare and as the size and carat weight increase they become very scarce. Low supply of high carat diamonds and high demand has pushed the price equilibrium to high limits. Half a carat diamonds are very popular as you get good value and reasonable size; once a diamond hits 1 carat, the price increases exponentially to the size. Below are some comparison in sizes and although not to scale, it does allow you to see that a 1.00 carat diamond is not twice the size of a 0.50 carat diamond but it is twice the weight and about three-four times the price.

Diamond Colour: Diamonds follow a colour spectrum that journeys from colourless through to light yellow. The rare diamonds have less yellow saturation and so are more valuable. The GIA started the colour grading system in the 1950’s and as such are the masters of correct colour calibration (after all they did invent it). Diamonds are colour graded by the GIA using alpha tags to describe each colour. The top colour is D and the spectrum follows down through the alphabet gaining more yellow as it proceeds. The top colours are D-E-F as they are colourless G-H-I-J are near colourless and represent excellent value. K-L-M start to show faint colour and are suited to yellow gold jewellery.

Diamond Clarity: diamonds that are 100% pure crystalized carbon are known as IF or internally flawless. These diamonds are extremely rare as often very small contaminants are inside the diamond – known as inclusions. These inclusions are ‘natures fingerprints’ and nothing to be worried about as long as you can’t see them. The grading of these inclusions was also developed by GIA and is based around the size of the inclusion / imperfection.

Internally Flawless diamonds are essentially pure and clean of any inclusions; the next level down is VVS which means ‘Very Very Slight’ these inclusions are microscopic only visible through 25 x magnification. The next range is VS which means ‘Very Slight’ which are dedectable using a 10 x loupe but a good search is required and novices usually do not spot them. Then there is SI meaning ‘Slight Inclusion’ and these are still eye clean but are easily detected when enlarged 10 times under magnification; these diamonds are eye clean and a popular choice. Then there are I meaning ‘Included’ and these stones have visible marks and are to be avoided unless size/carat is required under a limited budget.

Each category is also broken into 1-2 which shows the size but more the severity and location of the inclusion. VVS1 is very very slight on the outer edge, VVS2 is very very slight more centrally located. VS1 is very slight outer edge and in faceting, VS2 very slight closer to central table. Si1 slight and away from centre, Si2 slight and central.

There are also different types of inclusions so a VS1 could be several types of inclusion like feathers, twinning wisps, needles, natural indentures, black knats etc.

Diamond Cut: this refers to both the general shape of the diamond and also how well that shape has been made. We’ll refer to it as cut micro and cut macro:

Diamond cut macro is the general shape of the diamond. Diamond rough in octahedron form naturally gives itself to cutting round brilliant diamonds. Other diamond rough shapes like ‘flats’ suit shapes like emerald cuts and tear-drops. The shape of a diamond is usually guided by diamond rough retention as this increases the finished carat weight and will command a higher price. There are many different shapes so do view our ‘Diamond Selection’. Some of the more popular ones are below:

The ‘diamond cut micro’ refers to the quality of how the above diamond shapes have been made. This area looks at the angles and symmetry of the diamond to maximise light return and so, increase the sparkle. Diamonds are a 3D object and there are many different areas of a diamond. The table is the top area; the pavillion the bottom area that goes down to a culet or keel and the outer most rim is known as the girdle. All these parts of the diamond have a set tolerence of angle degree, size, alignment and shape which is a known and agreed measurement. The highest tolerence of this measurement is called ‘Excellent’ and if any of the mentioned diamond areas like girdle, pavilion or table fall just outside the very highest tolerence the diamond becomes ‘Very Good’. The difference between these two is miniscule and laser tracing and laboratory conditions are required to tell the two apart. We sell mainly ‘Very Good’ to ‘Excellent’ as they sparkle the best.

After ‘Very Good’ cut grade is ’Good’ cut grade which is still nice and a worthy purchase if your budget is tight - not much light performance is lost but the price is lower. After ‘Good’ comes ‘Fair’ and ‘Poor’ and we do not sell these as they lack lustre and sparkling brilliance. At Polished Diamonds™ we disclose all information as we want you to have the best you can get. Examples below show how an Excellent to Very Good cut diamond handles light for a perfect sparkle:

Diamonds are very unique and one can spend a lifetime understanding how the ‘hardest of earth’s natural minerals’ can be cut and shaped to reflect light. The colours and qualities that diamonds present can sometimes be difficult to match for a particular budget. We invite you to call and chat with our friendly gemmologist or complete an online enquiry and one of us will answer your questions at the earliest opportunity.

Polished Diamonds™ 1st in Diamonds – for a Lifetime of Happiness – Guaranteed!

Invest in Diamonds

admin — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:12:21 +0000

Diamonds are an investment instrument when purchased at the right price and with a quality that is highly demanded. Let’s look at this statement in greater detail:

Price: Diamonds can pass through several dealers before a consumer wears it on their finger and as such a margin or profit taking is applied in each step. Getting a good price means going direct to firms that deal with diamond cutters and cut out the middle man. Polished Diamonds deal with several large site holder firms that cut diamond rough – therefore the price is close to manufacturing / wholesale.

Quality: Diamonds come in different colours, different sizes (carat) and different clarity’s. If you have the top of each category the diamond is heavily demanded and this pushes the price up and forms an investment instrument. The higher the quality the higher the price but also the higher the gain as diamonds appreciate at a set percentage. Pink diamonds, Fancy Yellow diamonds are sought after and appreciate so form a good investment option.

As diamond mines slow production and alluvial or surface diamonds deplete it costs more to drill deep into the ground to extract the diamond. This extra work load increases the over-head price to extract and forces the price up. The Argyle diamond mine in Australia is the Worlds main source of Pink diamonds. The alluvial supply has stopped and they must drill deeper to find more diamonds which makes it more expensive. These diamonds will increase in value because of they are extremely rare and expensive to produce.

Diamonds can also be set in earrings while they appreciate in value. Buying 2 x 1.00 carat F-VS2, Ideal round diamonds can look amazing in diamond earrings or diamond rings while the years tick by and the price increases. How cool is that – you can wear your investment and get charming comments. Ever tried to wear a share certificate – ha ha.

Dan Joines: CEO of Polished Diamonds Intl

Diamond Cleaning

admin — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:16:00 +0000

Diamonds are durable and strong, but should be cared for as though they were fine breakable china or more fragile gems. They can chip or scratch if you’re not careful, and they can get quite dirty with oils from your skin and cosmetics, hair sprays or perfumes.

There are several ways to clean and store your diamonds. You can clean a diamond pretty quickly with a commercial jewelry cleaner that you either dip your jewelry in or soak them in a tub that gives it an ultrasound bath. Cold water and ammonia also work very well to dissolve oils that accumulate on your stones.

You can use a soft brush like an eyebrow brush to clean in between the prongs of the setting. Hold the diamonds by their settings and don’t touch the stones. If you’re cleaning them in the bathroom, be sure to close the stopper on the sink! You don’t want to go fishing in the plumbing for your valuable jewelry!

We’ve also used a mild toothpaste and soft toothbrush to clean gemstones. Rinse them under cold water, also using a soft brush to get any toothpaste particles from the gaps in between the stones and the setting. Some experts don’t recommend this and there is risk of scratching the stone, so if you choose this method, make sure it’s a low-abrasive. In my experiments I find the best way to clean diamond jewellery is to soak it in a hot cup of near boiling water with a mild detergent. leave it for several minutes and then fish it out and scrub with a toothbrush and then soak again and rinse under the cold fresh water tap. This method will remove lots of grease, hand cream, hair conditionerand general dirt but will not remove scratches which will require a polish at your local jewelry store. If possible we would recommend a yearly polish at a quality jewelry store as the diamonds can be checked, scratches on the gold or platinum removed and then a nice ultrasonic soak will make your diamond ring look brilliant again. Contact us if you have any questions.

Polished Diamonds Intl