Diamonds Diamonds Diamonds

Diamonds are not just for girls, they are also appreciated by male and female chemists, engineers, biologists, and construction workers. Diamonds have become a popular choice for wedding bands due to a successful marketing campaign by De Beers in the 1930s. Diamonds are made up of a lattice structure of simple carbon, which is a common element found on earth. The carbon atoms in diamonds are covalently bonded, making them incredibly strong and durable.

Diamonds are widely used in industrial tools such as grinding, drilling, cutting, and polishing due to their strength and longevity. They are also useful in electronics as they are thermally conductive and can act as heat sinks. Researchers are also exploring the potential use of nanodiamonds in medicine as they are biocompatible and can be used to deliver drugs or aid in medical imaging. Diamonds and graphene are related as they are both made up of carbon, which has numerous applications in various industries.

How they form

Diamonds, composed solely of carbon, are a natural wonder of Mother Earth, simultaneously simple and complex. They have earned the title of the Earth's hardest substance and were named after the Greek word adamas, meaning unconquerable. The formation of natural diamonds occurred billions of years ago, some even taking over three billion years.

Diamonds form under extreme pressure and depth, approximately 150 kilometres below the Earth's surface, and are transported to the surface via specialized volcanoes known as kimberlites. The process of finding a kimberlite deposit can take up to a decade, and determining the economic viability of the deposit can take an additional ten years. The discovery of diamonds over 1,000 carats is particularly significant, as it is a rare and momentous occasion in the diamond industry. The process of finding and mining diamonds is complicated and can take decades to find a commercially productive diamond mine.

How they are cut

Understanding the cut of a diamond is a complex factor when making a purchase. The cut grade assesses the diamond's dimensions and angles, including the proportions and symmetry. The diamond industry follows a cut scaling system that rates diamonds based on their cut, with excellent or ideal cut being the best and full being the worst.

An ideal cut diamond has more brightness, fire, and scintillation. Proportions, symmetry, and polish affect the diamond's brilliance and how it interacts with light. For round shaped diamonds, it is recommended to look for an ideal cut, excellent polish, and excellent symmetry. Using the super zoom feature and 360 HD videos can help you see the total appearance of the diamond and decide if it looks beautiful.

For fancy shaped diamonds, there is no right or wrong crash as it is more a matter of taste. Symmetry and polish are important factors to consider. It is important to note that polishing a better cut diamond costs more due to the skilled labor required and the fact that turning a rough diamond into an ideal cut diamond results in a smaller diamond.

Art and Arrows diamonds are a tiny subgroup of less than 1% of excellent cut diamonds. They display perfectly symmetrical arrows and full arts from the bottom view, representing infinite love. It is recommended to never compromise on a diamond's cut and aim for an ideal cut above all, as it has the most influence over the brilliance of the stone, adding the wow factor.

Shapes

When purchasing a diamond, selecting the appropriate shape is a crucial decision. The round brilliant diamond is the most popular shape, with a timeless and versatile design. The princess diamond has a square or rectangular shape with crisp angles that require careful protection. The emerald-shaped diamond has long facets parallel to the girdle and cropped corners to avoid chipping. The Asscher diamond is a square cut emerald with step cut facets. The cushion diamond is shaped like a pillow with rounded corners.

The radiant diamond has a square or rectangular shape with cropped corners and brilliant faceting to maximise brilliance. The oval diamond is a brilliant cut variation of the round with elongated ends. The pear diamond is rounded at one end with a tip at the other, a feminine and popular choice. The marquise diamond has an elongated eye shape with pointed ends. Lastly, the heart diamond is a romantic choice with a distinct pointed end.