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GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

GIA 4Cs Diamond Blog

The Green Diamond

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…)

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The Beauty of Blue Diamonds

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…)

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Famous Diamonds: The Taylor-Burton Diamond

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…)

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Diamond in tweezers
Famous Diamonds: Granny’s Chips

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…)

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Diamond in tweezers
Wondering How to Get the Best Diamond Price?

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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Diamond in tweezers
Famous Diamonds: The Jubilee

At 243.35 carat (ct), the Jubilee is one of the finest examples of a diamond of exceptional size and quality (not to be confused with the Golden Jubilee, a 545.67 ct brown diamond). (more…)

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Diamond Anatomy, Explained

When you’re shopping for a diamond, its brightness and sparkle will draw you to the jewelry counter, and keep you captivated long after you’ve made your diamond purchase. Achieving maximum brightness and sparkle requires excellent cutting technique, which is reflected in the diamond’s cut grade. Of the 4Cs, no other ‘C’ has more impact on a diamond’s appearance. (more…)

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Famous Diamonds: Napoleon Diamond Necklace

The Napoleon Diamond Necklace, in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, is set with 234 diamonds weighing approximately 263 carats; the largest stone is about 10.40 carats. Photo: Chip Clark, Courtesy: Smithsonian Institution

historic diamond necklace was a gift from Napoléon Bonaparte to his second wife, Marie-Louise of the Austrian House of Hapsburg, Empress of France. The necklace was given to commemorate the birth of their son, Napoléon François Joseph Charles (also known as Napoleon II), in 1811. Following her death in 1847, the necklace remained in the family for several generations. (more…)

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The Pink Star ring, which sold at a Sotheby’s auction for $71 million, contains a 59.60 ct Fancy Vivid pink diamond graded by GIA.
Crazy for Colored Diamonds

Jewelry connoisseurs have gone crazy for colored diamonds. And their appetites were practically insatiable in 2013.

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Queen Elizabeth Koh-i-noor
Famous Diamonds: The Koh-I-Noor

Of all the diamonds in our Famous Diamonds series, the Koh-i-noor has one of the most mysterious pasts. It is likely from the Golconda region of India, although it is not known exactly when it was found, resulting in centuries of debate about its early history.

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coated collections of colored diamonds
Diamond Treatments and What They Mean to You

As a diamond consumer, you’ve probably heard the term “diamond treatment” or “treated diamond,” or perhaps “enhanced diamond” and wondered what that meant. A relatively small percentage of gem-quality diamonds are treated and they are treated for two reasons: to improve clarity or to alter color.

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The Culllinan II, a 317.4-carat rectangular cushion cut, is set into the Imperial State Crown. - Courtesy Time & LIFE Pictures/Getty Images
Famous Diamonds: Cullinan II

The Cullinan II is a 317.40 carat (ct) cushion cut diamond and the centerpiece of the British Imperial State Crown. Do you know the history behind this beautiful diamond? (more…)

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