FAQ

A diamond is a crystal made up completely of carbon atoms that are arranged in a cubic, or isometric, matrix. The combination of a diamond’s molecular makeup and its crystal structure and it is what makes it so special and gives it all the qualities that come to mind when we think of buying a diamond. Thousands, millions, or perhaps billions of years ago, intense pressure and heat transformed pure carbon into transparent diamond crystals 100 or more miles below the Earth’s surface. These crystals were eventually brought to the earth’s surface through volcanic activity via volcanic pipes (kimberlite pipes). Today, diamonds are extracted from areas that have experienced any volcanic activity in the past, along with ocean floors and gravel beds.

At present day, there are primarily ten types of rough diamonds are being polished to. Naturally, some have received more love and recognition over the years owing to changes in fashion and customer taste. Even though shapes such as the triangle cut are seen as rarities and seldom found in the market, they might still appeal to people are opting for a more a more exquisite design. But to answer the question, the top seller among all diamond shapes (and also the oldest) is the full round cut brilliant (57 facets). In America recently, cushion cut diamonds overtook princess cuts with a sudden increase in demand.

‘Make’ is a term used in the diamond industry to refer to a diamond’s finish, cut, and overall appearance. Each diamond at Brilliance is assessed on a ‘make’ scale, which is based on the quality of a diamond’s proportions, measurements as well as its visual fire and brilliance.

Yes, extremely. Whenever you are shopping for diamonds or any diamond jewelry, one of the first things you should do is ask your seller if the diamond comes with a certificate. Certified diamonds are those that have undergone quality analysis by a trusted gemological lab, such as GIA or AGSL and have been issued a lab report, which is commonly referred to as a “certificate” or “report”. If you are going to be investing a boatload of money in a gemstone, it makes sense why you should first authenticate its genuineness by a third-party expert.

The answer depends on whether you’re investing in the diamond itself, or in what a diamond represents. Diamonds are valuable gemstones that have been steadily experiencing an increase in their value. However, no one can predict with absolute certainty that by the time you decide to sell your diamond you will get the best price for it. This is because the diamond market conditions are constantly changing and the demand and supply are continuously fluctuating. Having said that, if you are purchasing a diamond for its symbolism or as a timeless gift, then you should know that there are only a few objects you can invest in that will surpass a diamond’s perfection.

All four Cs of a diamond affect its worth in a different way. Thus, there is no sure way of pointing out ‘the most important’ feature – it will all come down to your diamond preferences and budget. But still make sure you understand each aspect of the 4Cs.

Blood diamonds, or conflict diamonds – are diamonds sourced from war zones and sold for the purpose of financing the current conflicts in that area. Today, transparent ethical sourcing policies are being adopted by most of the jewelers, and conflict-free diamonds have actually become a “promotional tool” for a lot of jewelers.

Hearts and Arrows diamonds is an industry generic term used to describe the optical symmetry of a diamond and has nothing to with a specific diamond shape or diamond brand. The extraordinary pattern of an H&A diamond appears in brilliant cut stones that have a perfect symmetry and parallelism. When viewed from the crown, a series of 8 arrowheads are seen, which are the 8 pavilion main facets. The 8 heart shapes can be seen when viewed through the pavilion and are the result of the reflection of 16 lower girdle facets situated in the table of the stone.

The key is to do your research properly. You will need to start by gathering as much info regarding the 4Cs as you can on the type of cut you want and your design preferences. Next, you will want to browse around to get an estimate of what to expect. Look online, visit your local jewelry stores and browse through the stock of online vendors. Compare the quality of different diamonds and then take a look at their prices. You should eventually be able to have an estimated figure.

Opting for the right diamond can be extremely overwhelming, but sadly there is no right or wrong answer to the question “what diamond should I buy?” The answer will depend on your personal preference, your budget, the size and shape of your choice, and the qualities available. However, you should start by studying the 4Cs and ask yourself if there are any requirements you must meet.