Diamond Engagement Ring

You are here on the mission for the perfect engagement ring.

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Carat4her.com gives you the tools to understanding diamond qualities and characteristics. By doing your research before heading to the jewelry store you will save time and feel secure in your choice.

The 4 C's is where everyone starts. After you understand which style, shape, and how much money you can afford to spend you can move onto the ethical choices and other gems of consideration.

These are the 4 C's. For more information click on the definition.

Cut: What gives a diamond its Sparkle.

Color: No Color has the highest value and price.

Clarity: Diamonds that are absolutely clear are the most sought-after and therefore the most expensive. But . .

Carat: This is where you break the budget.

Did you know? Giving a Diamond Engagement Ring has been around since 1477 AD. When a Duke gave a diamond encrusted ring as a betrothal promise to a Lady. (read more history here)

But we are not all Dukes.

Where are diamonds found :

Diamond crystals are found approximately 100 miles beneath the earths surface. Diamonds from the mine are sorted into two groups, industrial and gem quality. Many of the stones are full of bits of mineral, reducing their value and making them useless for jewelry. Gem quality diamonds are sorted according to the 4 C's. Every year more than 20 tons of diamonds are mined, but only a small amount are used in jewelry. The rest are industrial diamonds, which are also in high demand.

Diamonds are probably one of the most abundant gems on Earth but they are hard to get to. The world's supply and prices of diamonds are very carefully controlled. This has caused a huge inflation in the price of diamonds.

A diamond can only be cut and shaped by another diamond. This is due to diamonds being the hardest substance known to man. Each diamond crystal can only be cut in certain directions, along where it is a little less hard. It can take hours to cut through a diamond. They can also be split or "cleaved" along four different directions through the crystal.

Nearly all diamonds are "brilliant cut". The faces of the gems are cut at just the right angle to make the diamond sparkle. Each facet acts like a polished mirror inside the gem - it reflects the light and splits it into rainbow colors.

There are 3 stages involved in shaping a diamond crystal into a cut gem.

Crystals are sent to special factories and sawed with thin bronze disks coated in diamond dust and olive oil.
The diamond is then shaped or "bruted". This is the process of holding one diamond against another while it is spun at high speeds. After grinding and smoothing the top the cutter decides where to grind the first of 16 facets.
When the main facets are polished to the right size the "brillianteer" grinds the remaining 40 small facets. More then half the original crystal have been cut or ground away.

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