If you’re thinking of buying a colored diamond, you’ll want to know if its color is natural or is the result of a treatment process. (more…)
If you’re thinking of buying a colored diamond, you’ll want to know if its color is natural or is the result of a treatment process. (more…)
Just a few decades ago, saying a diamond was brown was considered to be the kiss of death. These ugly ducklings of the colored diamond world were often destined for industrial use. (more…)
When buying a diamond, you know how important the 4Cs are in defining diamond quality. But well before buying comes dreaming. And when you envision the perfect diamond you’ll own one day, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is its shape. (more…)
Colored diamonds have a special allure, and rare natural color green diamonds may be the most intriguing of them all.
The green color in a diamond is the result of exposure to radiation. The source of the radiation can be naturally occurring or performed in a laboratory. Natural radiation is the result of the diamond being exposed to radioactive uranium from rocks near the earth’s surface. Artificial irradiation is achieved in a lab using either a linear accelerator (called a linac), gamma rays or a nuclear reactor. (more…)
Serious diamond connoisseurs consider a diamond’s 4Cs as essential information. Some buyers might also want to know about the diamond type. But what exactly does diamond type mean? (more…)
Blue diamonds are extremely rare, exquisitely beautiful, and rich in lore. This special combination has made them coveted by diamond lovers and jewelry connoisseurs.
How rare are blue diamonds? To find that glittering needle in the haystack, tons of ore have to be unearthed. And when a blue diamond is found, you can imagine the excitement it causes. (more…)
If you love yellow diamonds, you’re not alone. Diamond connoisseurs spend millions on these stunning gemstones. (more…)
Does GIA provide appraisals? It’s a frequently asked question we often get from consumers trying to determine the value of a gemstone or piece of jewelry. (more…)
Like the famous Elizabeth Taylor Diamond, the Taylor-Burton Diamond was another of Richard Burton’s extravagant gifts to wife Elizabeth Taylor during their public and tumultuous marriages. The couple’s emotionally-charged private life often drew as much attention as their movie roles, and their luxurious tastes, Taylor’s love for diamonds especially, were legendary. (more…)
In addition to Cullinan I and the already featured famous diamond Cullinan II, the 3,106 carat (ct) Cullinan rough also produced stones III-IX, plus 96 smaller diamonds. Asscher, the diamond cutting firm, retained these diamonds as payment for cutting and polishing the Cullinan rough. The government of South Africa purchased most of them and gave the diamonds to Queen Mary in 1910. (more…)
A diamond purchase is a significant one. Be confident you understand how to get the best diamond price. Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or for a gift to yourself or a loved one, it’s natural to want to save money when possible, or at least know you’re getting a good value. One frequently asked question is, can I get a better price by buying directly from someone in the supply chain who’s closer to the source? The short answer is: not really and here’s why:
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The Portuguese, a 127.01 carat Asscher cut diamond, was graded by GIA as VS1 clarity, M color, with Very Strong blue fluorescence. Photo: Chip Clark, Courtesy: Smithsonian Institution
Surprisingly, the 127.01 carat diamond called the Portuguese seems to have no connection to its namesake country. Legend claimed this diamond was found in the mid-1700s in Brazil and belonged to Portuguese royalty. However, there is no evidence to support this story. Instead, records indicate the diamond was found at the Premier Mine in Kimberley, South Africa, in 1910. (more…)