Brilliant Cut Diamonds

The most popular cut for any diamond is the brilliant cut diamond. It was perfected over 80 years ago, and is considered to simply be the best cut of most diamonds. It is quite possible that the actual invention of the brilliant cut happened around 1700. It was called at the time the Perruzzi cut which had 58 facets with 33 on the crown or the upper part, and 25 on the lower part or girdle. This is the same number of facets as the modern brilliant cut which leads some experts to believe the Perruzzi cut was actually an earlier brilliant cut.

In 1919 Marcel Tolkowsky developed a set of geometric calculations that have been used as the base for most of modern ideal cuts including the brilliant cut. It was a way to maximize the brilliance of the diamonds. The brilliance refers to the amount of light that is allowed to enter the stone as well as how the angles are cut into the stone to reflect back the light for the naked eye to see.

As a result of Tolkowsky’s calculations the diamonds were produced with better proportions by losing some of the initial weight and making it a more shallow stone, but not too shallow that the stone appears dark or dull looking. This stone then became known as the brilliant cut because of the amazing sparkle or what is known as the “fire” of the ring. Even now, after some improvements have been made to the proportions, any diamond that is similar to a Tolkowsky proportioned cut is considered to be a “Modern Brilliant Cut”.

Stones cut in the brilliant shape do not always have ideal proportions although they will always have 58 facets that reflect the light. The round brilliant diamond especially maximizes the gem’s sparkle or fire because of the natural shape in which it is polished. The diamonds are often octagonal which lends itself to the ease of creating a brilliant cut diamond. Most commonly the round brilliant diamond is used in a solitaire, with four-prong settings to show off the brilliance in the ring. Other brilliant cuts are recognized but are not nearly as popular as the round brilliant diamond.

Emerald shaped brilliant cut diamond is one that is easily recognizable that has its own unique beauty. The reason it is not as popular is because it has many flaws or inclusions that are more visible inside the diamonds. Then there is the princess shape brilliant cut that has a lot of fire but appears smaller than the other cuts of the same carat weight. This is due to the depth of the stone. Opposite to that is the marquise brilliant cut that can actually appear larger than its carat weight because of the shallowness of its cut. There also can be brilliant cuts in the shape of pear, oval, and heart cuts possessing the standard 58 facets, but without as much sparkle as the other brilliant cuts.

The round brilliant cut gives the most sparkle by far and has the best overall appearance making it an automatic choice for most cutters. They are widely available in numerous settings and can be purchased from almost anywhere. Since the first brilliant cut was perfected over 80 years ago the ring is very popular with antique stores and estate sales where you can find gorgeous brilliant cut diamonds without the expense of the modern brilliant cuts. It really is a wonderful choice for any bride-to-be to have on her finger.

The History Of Diamonds

The history of diamonds began billions of years ago when diamonds were first being formed under incredible heat and intense pressure deep below the earth’s surface. The volcanic eruptions millions of years ago forced the diamonds up to the surface where they were scattered along oceans and rivers.

The first diamonds were thought to be discovered in India around 800 B.C. No one ever discovered the volcanic eruption that it came from but the river bed deposits were plentiful enough to supply most of the word’s diamonds up till the 18th century.

The word diamond comes from the Greek word “adamas”. It means unconquerable in reference to the eternity of love. In 1477 Archduke Maximilian of Austria put the name to the test when he gave a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy when he wanted to marry her. This started the tradition of diamond engagement rings which became all the rage at the time and hence started the popularity that diamonds experience today.

The largest amount of gem quality stones are found in South Africa but they are also discovered in Russia, South America, and the United States. The mining outside of South Africa produces industrial quality diamonds mostly. In 1866 one of the first South African diamonds was discovered by a young boy along the banks of Val River. It was a 21 carat gem that later became part of the gavel used by the Premier of South Africa.

After this discovery many diamond diggers began finding other diamonds along in the Val and Orange rivers. Below this yellow earth a layer of blue-gray rock called “blue ground” or “kimberlite” was discovered. This 60 mile coast of the Orange River divides South and South West Africa is owned by Consolidate Mines of South West Africa which is part of the DeBeers group, which have produced almost 1 million carats of diamonds a year since 1956.

The largest diamond bearing “blue ground” is in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. This is where the largest diamond was ever discovered in the United States. It was named “Uncle Sam” and was a whopping 40 carat stone. Murfreesboro Mine has become quite the tourist attraction because of this and has yielded over 60,000 diamonds since it was first discovered in 1906.

Only about one-fifth of the diamonds that are mined can be considered gem quality once they are discovered. Depending on how deep the diamond is found it make take the processing of 40 to 250 tons of gravel and sand to recover just one rough diamond from the world’s thinning diamond deposits. It is a long process that ends with the separation of diamonds by size, shape, and quality. Only 20% to 25% are actually made into jewelry, most are used in industrial applications such as drilling, grinding, and sawing. Within 30 to 40 years experts think that all known supplies of diamonds will be completely depleted.

Men's Engagement Rings

Modern times are changing when it comes to engagements and marriage proposals. Tradition used to dictate that the man who was in love with a woman would ask her to marry him, usually on bended knee with a beautiful ring in his open hand. However with more and more women taking on an independent role in a relationship that picture might just include a woman on bended knee.

Women are stronger and more vocal then ever before, and they know what they want. When what they want is a man to marry them, they simply don’t wait around for him to ask. They decide to jump right in and do it themselves. The question then arises, should the man be given his very own engagement ring? The answer to that is a resounding yes. Nowadays men’s engagement rings are becoming much more popular then ever before. This is the case even when men do the asking.

Men want to be included in the engagement process and women want everyone to know that their man is taken. This is why many jewelers now sell engagement rings that are specially tailored to men without looking like a plain wedding band. They are often worn on their left hand until the wedding takes place and then can either be worn together with a thinner wedding band or moved to their right hand. They cost considerably less than women’s diamond ring but hold just as much beauty and sparkle.

There is a lot of variety to these rings, including different size diamonds, settings, and metals. They can be simple or extravagant and include many of the cuts of diamonds that women have without the large setting. The diamonds are usually placed in the ring itself so it has the look of woman’s eternity band without looking too feminine. The band is usually much wider and can easily be seen as a regular ring once they get married.

One of the most popular men’s engagement rings is the impressive men’s princess cut diamond ring. It can feature up to 20 high quality princess cut diamonds with a total weight of up to 1 carat but is usually sold around ½ carat. It comes with a masculine polished band usually, with a possibility of ribbed edges to give it a thicker and more prominent look.

Another popular style is the two-toned men’s engagement ring. The diamonds can be a hammered set with white gold around the diamonds and gold on the edges. Again, this is a masculine ring with the same beauty as a dress ring.

Men’s engagement rings can be customized just as a woman’s ring would be to give them character and to fit your future husbands style. Although most men might not admit it, they want to be part of this process. They are feeling more and more left out as the woman usually takes over all the plans for the wedding. This will make them feel special and a part of the engagement period.

How Are Diamonds Formed?

On your next stop at the local mall you should take a stop by one of the many jewelry stores. Most likely you will see the majority of showcases displaying beautiful diamonds in different sizes, different cuts, and different colors. Diamonds have long been admired by everyone as the stone to buy, but not many people are aware of how they were actually formed.

Diamonds were formed about 100 miles under the earth’s surface from millions to 3.3 billion years ago. The molten rock of the earth’s mantle provides just the right amount of pressure and heat that transforms carbon, the single element that a diamond is made of, into a diamond crystal. The carbon must be under at least 435,113 pounds per square inch of pressure. The temperature must be at least 752 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions drop below either of these two amounts then instead of a diamond being formed, graphite will be created. There are some new diamonds that are formed when a meteor falls into the earth and causes similar pressure and heat that forms the older diamonds. The newer diamonds are called micro diamonds.

Natural diamonds are just carbon in the most concentrated for. Carbon is one of the most common elements in the world is considered essential for the existence of human life. Carbon exists in three basic forms when it occurs in nature:

* Fullerite – Discovered in 1990, this is a mineral that is made of perfect sphere shaped molecules that consist of 60 carbon atoms.

* Graphite – Weaker than a diamond, this is a soft, black mineral made of pure carbon but not as compact as a diamond’s.

* Diamond – An extremely compact, hard, and clear crystal.

When the pressure interacts with the heat the carbon elements are literally forced together. They combine in a cubic molecular formation and ultimately create diamond crystals. After the diamond is formed it is brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions usually. They are brought up in rocks known as Kimberlites. A kimberlite is a narrow pipe shaped fissure that exists as an ultramafic rock that has been in existence deep within the earth’s mantle. They are moved extremely quickly to the earth’s surface to ensure that the diamond is not converted to graphite through loss of pressure and heat. The kimberlite lavas carrying the diamonds erupt at speeds of up to 20 mph. The last few kilometers is of the utmost importance and usually increases to almost 200 mph. It is almost like a conveyor belt.

One of the most common places for diamonds to form is in the Archean cratons found in the center of the 7 continents. They are stable horizontal geological formations that were created billions of years ago. They have been completely unaffected by tectonic events which is basically a volcanic quake. It is a high frequency shaking that occurs every 1 to 5 seconds. .

As you can see the diamonds go through a lot to get to the earth’s surface, but are surprisingly not the rarest of gemstones. There are more than sufficient diamonds scattered through the world, with more and more being found everyday.

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How Much Money Should I Spend On An Engagement Ring?

That is the age old question that all men ask themselves as they make the decision to take the plunge into marriage. The answer to that is simple and complex at the same time. You should spend enough on the ring to make sure it is beautiful and a quality piece, but not enough to go into debt. It doesn’t make sense to spend more than what you can afford. The average diamond engagement ring costs between $3,500 and $4,000 but can range from below or well above that amount. The standard that jewelers recommend is to spend 2 months salary but that practice isn’t usually followed anymore and is just a ploy that is used by the largest diamond producers.

When deciding on an engagement ring, it is quite hard to be practical about it. You want to get something that symbolizes your commitment but at the same time look priceless and beautiful. It should fit the woman’s style and good taste without looking ostentatious. You have probably been conditioned to think that the bigger the better, but most likely if the woman is a perfect as you think she is she just wants something that shows your love and adoration no matter what the size.

You shouldn’t buy a diamond engagement ring while thinking about investment. If all goes well the woman will be wearing this ring forever and will never be sold or used for money value. So, don’t buy a more expensive ring and think that it will appreciate over time. Buy something that you genuinely love, and that she will as well.

Prepare yourself for a high pressure sale from the jeweler you are dealing with. You need to know your budget before you even start looking, so that you know exactly what you can afford. Don’t be influenced by the salesperson to buy more than you can handle, or convince you to put it on a credit card. Only you can make the choice of how much and how you buy the ring. Don’t let them make you feel cheap or question your commitment to the marriage. The level of commitment is not decided by how much you spend on the ring.

Here are the more complex guidelines to how much you will actually spend on a ring:

* 10 to 14 carat gold are less expensive then 18k or platinum

* For a quarter or less you can expect to pay $125.00 to $500.00

* For stones up to ½ carat with platinum or 18k gold you can expect to pay $750.00 to $1000.00

* For stones up to ¾ carat with mid to high quality you can expect to pay $1000.00 to $2000.00

* For stones up to 1 carat with mid to high quality in 14k or 18k gold you can expect to pay $2000.00 to $3500.00

* For stones that are 1 carat with 18k or platinum settings you can expect to pay $3500.00 to $4000.00

This will differ depending on the quality of the diamond, often known as the cut and clarity, but here are the base prices on what you can expect. Remember it is better to get quality then quantity, so don’t skimp on the clarity in order to get a bigger ring. Use your budget to find the best ring, not just the biggest.

What Are The Four C's Of Diamond Quality?

It has long been recognized that the quality of a diamond is decided by the four C’s of the diamond, but are you really sure what that means? Besides a home and a car, a diamond is one of the largest purchases most people make in their life. Just as with any important purchase you should understand exactly what you are purchasing. Diamonds, although they may appear similar have vastly different values according the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The GIA has established a system for grading diamonds that is commonly known as the four C’s. This system is the best way to ensure the quality and value of a diamond.

CARAT WEIGHT

The carat, although thought of as the size of the diamond, is actually a measurement of its weight; however it should be relative to the size. The carat weight is the easiest to determine but the stone must be loose. Too many jewelers approximate the carat weight in a setting telling you it may be more than what it is because the setting or cut may make it look larger.

CUT

The cut refers to two separate things, the first being the shape of the diamond which can be round, marquise, pear, princess, oval, heart, emerald, or trillion. The second is the quality of proportions. Most diamonds today are not cut as well as they could be with many cutters choosing to sacrifice some of the diamond’s beauty to achieve a larger carat weight. The cut is what gives the diamond its sparkle. It allows the maximum amount of light to enter through the top to be reflected back so that you can see its fire. If the stone is cut too shallow or deep it does not have the maximum amount of light and it may look dull or less brilliant then other cuts.

COLOR

Diamonds come naturally in almost all colors of the rainbow but most of us are considering the color in the white range. The color determines the overall beauty. On the system that the GIA came up with the color starts with the letter D which is the best, and ranges down to a Z which is a more yellow diamond. It is not so much as the color as the lack of color that allows the light to pass effortlessly through the stone. A white color diamond will look very clean and brilliant whereas a yellow diamond looks dark and dirty as opposed to actually being yellow.

CLARITY

Clarity refers to how many inclusions, or flaws, are in the diamond. In most cases the clarity has little to do with the beauty of the diamond, just how it looks under a microscope. It must be examined loose under 10 times magnification by a gemologist. Every minute inclusion makes the diamond unique and is considered to be “nature’s fingerprints”. They don’t normally cause durability issues or mar the beauty of the diamond unless it is a very large inclusion which will probably be able to be seen by the naked eye. Sometimes though, if accurately represented these obvious inclusions can be concealed in the setting making it more durable, but you should pay less for this ring. The fewer inclusions the rarer the diamond will be.


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Diamond Engagement Rings

There is no symbol of love that is more recognized then the diamond engagement ring. It means permanence, marriage, adoration, and commitment. As tradition dictates, a man who wants to marry the woman he loves will give her an engagement ring as a sign that he intends to marry her. After placing the ring on her left hand it is known that they will soon marry and live life together.

Before the proposal takes place though, the man needs to buy the ring. This often causes the most bewilderment because there are so many choices when it comes to diamond engagement rings. There are different materials such as gold, white-gold, or platinum. Then he had to decide what kind of stone to use. Most commonly, the diamond is used for an engagement ring but there are numerous different cuts to choose from. Fashion and modern times usually dictate what type of cut is most popular. The most common include:

* Round brilliant

* Princess

* Emerald

* Pear shaped

* Marquise


All of these shapes have their own unique personality that can tell a lot about the woman wearing it.

When buying a diamond engagement ring you need to take into consideration the 4 C’s of diamonds, Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat. This is what makes the diamond what it is.

The color describes the actual amount of color the diamond contains. It can range from colorless to yellow and may contain slight tints of gray, brown, or yellow. There are also fancy colors that include intense yellow, brown, blue, green, pink, or red. These are rarer and more valuable then the traditional color diamond.

The clarity describes the purity of a diamond. This is determined by the number of, size, and location of internal and external imperfections. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has instituted a grading system that ranges from flawless to obvious inclusions. Most diamonds are somewhere in between.

The cut refers to the proportions, symmetry, finish, and polish of the diamond. Well cut diamonds are obviously more expensive and are harder to find.

The carat for most women is the important part of the diamond equation. They say size does matter, and in the case of diamond rings, it is usually the truth. A ring can range anywhere from ¼ carat to 10 carats, and possibly more. The average carat for a diamond engagement ring is approximately 2 carats which is large enough to look wonderful but small enough that it is not overwhelming on the finger.

Women wait most of their life to have a diamond engagement ring put on their finger by the man they have dreamed of. Men have one shot to do this the right way, so it best to invest a lot of time and research into finding the perfect ring. If you need a hint of what her style might be then look in her jewelry box to find out what kind of setting, what color band, and what color stone she may like. Chances are you know her pretty well by the time you get engaged so take what you know and give her a ring that will last a lifetime.

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Is there anything that society is more obsessed with then the engagement ring of a celebrity? The first question when interviewing the newly engaged is “Can I see the ring?” It is the glitter, the size, the price, and the star quality that we all love and soak in. It gives the fans a chance to see the intimate details of their life while secretly looking at what the man can afford to buy. We forget sometimes that the engagement ring is not a Hollywood prop, but an expression of love.

There is a lot of variation among celebrity engagement rings. They can be small but have a rare stone, they can be a large typical diamond, or they can be something that is custom made and unique. Usually with celebrity engagements, the larger the star is, the larger the carat size is, so most likely the woman will be wearing a very large ring. Here are some notable celebrity engagement rings that have been photographed and talked about frequently:

* Elizabeth Taylor – Michael Todd, her 3rd husband, gave her an emerald cut diamond that was almost 30 carats.

* Princess Diana – Prince Charles gave her an 18 carat deep blue oval sapphire with a circle of 14 diamonds when he promised to love her forever.

* Catherine Zeta-Jones – Michael Douglas sealed the deal with a 10 carat antique horizontal set of marquise diamonds.

* Paris Hilton – When Paris Latsis asked her to marry him, he obviously had something big in mind. He gave her a 24 carat ring that recently was sold for $4.7 million dollars after they broke it off.

* Katie Holmes – Tom went considerably smaller when he gave her a 5 carat ring in a classic oval shape with a pave setting.

As the celebrities get bigger so do the rings. Celebrities of past times had very modest 3 carat rings which were then considered to be huge and unattainable by most at that time. Jackie Kennedy was one of the most prominent women in past times and she was only given a modest 3 carat emerald set with 3 additional carats of diamond accents by her wealthy husband-to-be John Kennedy. It is almost small compared to today’s standards. Joe DiMaggio, another well off very popular celebrity of his time, only gave Marilyn Monroe a platinum eternity band with 36 small baguette diamonds. Again it is nothing like today’s standards, but it is equally as beautiful.

One of the most replicated celebrity engagement rings is Jennifer Lopez’s 6 carat radiant shaped pink diamond. This was a rare and very expensive diamond that caught the attention of the media and fans very quickly. It was purchased for $1.2 million dollars by Ben Affleck. Obviously the marriage never happened, but it sure did wonders for the pink diamond jewelers. For a moderate place you can purchase a replica which is no less stunning then the real one.

Chances are, if you are not a celebrity or have a celebrity boyfriend, you are not going to be wearing a 10 carat diamond anytime soon. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t love the ring you have. It should always be more about the man then the ring.

Antique Diamond Engagement Rings

If you are planning on getting engaged then your thoughts are probably on what kind of ring to get the woman of your dreams. Instead of going into any jewelry store that you pass on the street you might want to consider an antique diamond engagement ring. Not only will it be unique and have charm, they are less expensive and often have better craftsmanship. They will become an instant heirloom and leave her with a feeling of sophistication and longevity.

An antique engagement ring refers to a ring that is over 50 years old. The most charming and unique rings are usually made before 1950 and are sometimes called vintage engagement rings. While most jewelers consider this term to mean an “old” ring, others think of it as a ring that was made to look like it came from a different era. There are more common eras that people usually buy rings from that have become increasingly popular over time. The different eras include:

* Victorian Antique Era (1835-1900) – This ring is often set in yellow or rose gold. They have very simple but elegant designs but can range to very intricate designs. Many Victorian features are the rows of diamonds cut with an extra facet on the bottom. They may include pearls, but are not recommended for the typical engagement ring because they can be harmed with everyday use.

* Edwardian Era (1900-1920) – This is when platinum became popular. The rings were lacy with pierced shapes, scrollwork, and filigree detail on the mountings. Brilliant sapphires were often used along with the diamond and are especially popular in this era.

* Art Deco Era (1920-1930) – The 20’s were known as an era of machinery, jazz, exoticism, and exploration and the rings definitely encompassed many of these feelings. They have a streamlined geometric look that reflects the fashion trends of the era. They have colorful, contrasting gemstones although they did become more diamond packed for a streamlined, glittery look. This is the most popular of all the eras of antique diamond engagement rings.

The difference between the modern engagement rings and the antique engagement rings is that diamonds weren’t always used, or they were used almost as a backdrop to the “real” stone. These stones often have internal cracks and may be easily damaged though, so when looking for an antique engagement ring you really should deal only with diamonds.

You need to look carefully at the craftsmanship of the ring because that often makes a huge difference in price and authenticity. There are many replica rings which mimic the style but can’t come close to the quality and character of an older ring. You need to make sure you get a certified gemologist report stating the complete description of the ring including age, size, clarity, and cut. Otherwise you may end up with a ring that will not stand the test of time.

An antique diamond engagement ring is something to treasure. It is a work of art, and speaks volumes about the woman who owns it. It has so much character compared to the plain bands and settings of the modern rings, and is really more of a showpiece then a ring. It is something that any woman would be proud and thrilled to call her own.