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Jewellery/Diamonds

The Ancient Greek and Latin names for diamonds mean "unconquerable"

Throughout the ages men and women have adorned themselves with gemstones and jewellery. The earliest archaeological record has verified the importance that has been placed on jewellery from the beginning of time. As an expression of beauty, jewellery has remained as the most personal and emotional of all earthly goods. Owning a diamond has always meant possessing something of great beauty and lasting value. It is on a level of excellence unequalled in jewellery, a symbol of love and status vitally important to the jewellery connoisseur.  Diamonds are rated using The 4 C's, Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. 

The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions. Of the 4C's, the cut is the aspect most directly influenced by man. The other three are dictated by nature.  Quite often the cut of a diamond is confused with its shape. Diamonds are cut into various shapes depending upon the original form of the uncut diamond, which is referred to as "rough" Whatever the shape, a well-cut diamond is better able to reflect light.  A diamond's ability to reflect light determines its display of fire and brilliance. Diamonds are usually cut with 58 facets, or separate flat surfaces. 

The best colour is no colour. Diamonds allow light to be reflected and dispersed as a rainbow of colour. This light dispersion, or colour flash, has no effect on the technical grading of colour. The absolute finest colourless stone carries a D rating, descending through each letter of the alphabet to Z, designating a diamond of light yellow, brown, or grey. This body colour may be caused by the presence of trace elements, such as nitrogen, within the atomic framework of the carbon crystal. These trace elements are so minute that they are scientifically measured in parts per million (ppm). As the body colour becomes more intense, the grade for colour descends the scale. These gradations are so minute and precise that discerning a single grade (even by an expert) under less than ideal laboratory conditions is extremely difficult. 

They are graded using letters starting with D after all D is for Diamond.  DEF are "white" diamonds or colourless, near colourless are rated GHIJ while faint yellow diamonds are KLM.   Any letters below this have more yellow in them and are not very highly rated. 

The Clarity : Almost all diamonds contain very tiny natural birthmarks known as inclusions. To determine a diamond's clarity, an expert views it under 10 power magnification. In addition to internal inclusions, surface irregularities are referred to as blemishes. These two categories of imperfections-inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external) make up clarity.

The fewer the imperfections, the rarer and more valuable the diamond. Many inclusions are not discernable to the naked eye and require magnification to become apparent. A laboratory-certified clarity rating of SI2 represents the point at which inclusions are technically not apparent to the average naked eye.

Contrary to popular belief, higher clarity does not always mean more beautiful. If the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, a higher clarity does not really improve the appearance of a diamond but rather the rarity and price. 

Internally Flawless                                             IF
Very, very slight inclusions                                 WS1 WS2
Very slight inclusions                                         VS1 VS2
Slight Inclusions                                                SI1 SI2
Imperfect                                                          I1 I4

The Carat. The larger the diamond the more it weighs. The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats. The word carat originated from the carob tree or Ceratonia siliqua. The tiny seeds of this tree are well known for their uniformity and consistent weight. Traditionally diamonds and gemstones were weighed against these seeds until the system was standardized, and one carat was fixed at 0.2 grams. One carat is divided into 100 points. A diamond weighing one quarter of a carat can also be described as weighing 25 points or 0.25 carats. Points are generally not used to describe weights over one carat.

The Shape  Diamonds are cut in many different and exciting shapes. The shape of a diamond is often confused with its cut. Shape refers to the basic form of the diamond: oval or pear shaped, for instance. Cut or proportions, on the other hand, refer to the ability of each of these shapes to reflect light. A round diamond, for example, could have a good cut or a poor cut depending upon its proportions. When it comes to shape, it is simply a matter of personal taste. The right shape for you is really the one whose appearance you prefer. Shape can be a statement of whom you are; like other areas of fashion, shape can reflect your individuality. The most popular shapes are displayed here, but many new and interesting shapes are being developed every year.

The Setting of the diamond can also effect the light reflection.  A good quality diamond not set properly will not sparkle as well as it should.

Gold: One quality of gold is that it is easily formed into various shapes. This has made it a premium choice for jewellery artisans throughout the centuries. Gold in its purest form is defined as 24 karat. Pure gold is too soft for most jewellery uses, so it is mixed, or alloyed, with other metals to alter its properties and colour. It is common to see gold jewellery in 18k or 14k. This represents an alloy that contains 18/24 or 14/24 parts gold in the overall mix.
The atomic symbol is Au on the periodic table of elements.

Platinum, is naturally grey, or silver in colour. The specific gravity of platinum is heavier than gold. Platinum for jewellery, as opposed to gold, is used in a nearly pure alloy, which makes for a much heavier piece than the same design made in gold. Platinum is easily formed into various shapes, and it is usually mixed, or alloyed, with other metals such as gold, nickel, iridium, palladium, rhodium, or ruthenium to alter its properties. Platinum will cost approximately 2-4 times as much as the same piece of jewellery made in gold. This is due to the density of platinum as well as the extreme heat and techniques required for its manufacture.
Atomic symbol is Pt on the periodic table of elements.

AfterCare

Although diamonds are the hardest known substance, it is possible to damage them without proper care.

Storage:

It is best to store your diamond jewellery separately. We suggest individual jewellery cases, cloth pouches, or a fabric-lined jewellery box with separate dividers and compartments. Your diamonds and jewellery may become scratched or damaged when not stored properly and when allowed to contact other jewellery.

Cleaning:

Lotions, soaps, powders, perfumes, and hair spray are great hindrances to beautiful and sparkling jewellery. Be sure your skin is free from these or other products prior to putting on your jewellery. From time to time you may want to clean your diamond jewellery at home. Contrary to popular belief, toothpaste is not recommended. The abrasives present in toothpaste will subtly dull the metal of your setting.

It is best to prepare a solution of 1 part ammonia to 4 parts warm water. Add a small amount of a mild washing up liquid . Let your jewellery soak for approximately 10 minutes. Scrub the jewellery gently with a new soft toothbrush that you will use for jewellery cleaning only. Dip the jewellery in the solution repeatedly then rinse under warm-hot tap water. Pat the jewellery dry with a lint-free cloth.

Extended care:
Jewellery should not be worn while participating in sporting activities or heavy labour. Diamonds may be chipped by a hard impact. Jewellery may be damaged or broken during strenuous activities. Do not allow your gold jewellery to come in contact with harsh chemicals such as chlorine and bleach. Remove your jewellery prior to entering a swimming pool or hot tub. Repeated exposure to even small amounts of these chemicals has a cumulative effect, causing gold to become brittle and susceptible to breaks and prong failure. 

Inspections:
Have your jewellery professionally inspected at least once a year. Your jewellery should be checked for loose stones, bent prongs, or signs of wear. It is a good idea to have your jewellery professionally cleaned at the time of inspection.

Insurance:
Don't forget to ask your jeweller for a valuation certificate.  You may need this for your insurance broker.