What is a diamond??
Simply is is carbon, same as graphite the only diffrence is that it was formed at high temperature and pressure at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 118 mi) in the Earth's mantle. Carbon-containing minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1 billion to 3.3 billion years (25% to 75% of the age of the earth)
Simply is is carbon, same as graphite the only diffrence is that it was formed at high temperature and pressure at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers (87 to 118 mi) in the Earth's mantle. Carbon-containing minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1 billion to 3.3 billion years (25% to 75% of the age of the earth)
The name diamond is derived from the ancient Greek αδάμας means "unalterable", "unbreakable", "untamed", Diamonds are thought to have been first recognized and mined in India , where significant alluvial deposits of the stone could be found many centuries ago along the rivers Penner , Krishna and Godavari . Diamonds have been known in India for at least 3,000 years but most likely 6,000 years.
Diamond is the hardest known natural substance. It is also chemically resistant and has the highest thermal conductivity of any natural material. These properties make it suitable for use as a cutting tool and for other uses where durability is required. Diamond also has special optical properties such as a high index of refraction, high dispersion, and high luster. These properties help make diamond the world's most popular gemstone .
Diamond is the hardest known natural substance. It is also chemically resistant and has the highest thermal conductivity of any natural material. These properties make it suitable for use as a cutting tool and for other uses where durability is required. Diamond also has special optical properties such as a high index of refraction, high dispersion, and high luster. These properties help make diamond the world's most popular gemstone .
Diamond as a Gemstone
Diamonds are the world's most popular gemstones. Many times more money is spent on diamonds than on all other gemstones combined. Part of the reason for diamond's popularity is a result of its optical properties - or how it reacts with light. Other factors include fashion, custom, and marketing.
Diamonds have a very bright luster - the highest non-metallic luster - known as "adamantine." Their high luster gives them the ability to reflect a high percentage of the light that strikes their surface. This is one property that gives diamond gemstones their "sparkle."
Diamond also has a high dispersion. As white light passes through a diamond, this high dispersion causes that light to separate into its component colors. Dispersion is what enables a prism to separate white light into the colors of the spectrum. This property of dispersion is what gives diamonds their colorful "fire."
Diamonds are the world's most popular gemstones. Many times more money is spent on diamonds than on all other gemstones combined. Part of the reason for diamond's popularity is a result of its optical properties - or how it reacts with light. Other factors include fashion, custom, and marketing.
Diamonds have a very bright luster - the highest non-metallic luster - known as "adamantine." Their high luster gives them the ability to reflect a high percentage of the light that strikes their surface. This is one property that gives diamond gemstones their "sparkle."
Diamond also has a high dispersion. As white light passes through a diamond, this high dispersion causes that light to separate into its component colors. Dispersion is what enables a prism to separate white light into the colors of the spectrum. This property of dispersion is what gives diamonds their colorful "fire."
Diamond Gemstone QualityThe quality of a diamond gemstone is primarily determined by four factors: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. A standardized method of assessing diamond quality was developed in the 1950s by the Gemological Institute of America and is known as "The 4Cs of Diamond Quality" [5].
Color: Most gem-quality diamonds range from colorless to yellow. The most highly regarded and valuable diamonds are those that are completely colorless. These are the ones sold for the highest prices. However, another category of diamond gemstone is increasing in popularity. These are colored diamonds, which occur in a variety of hues including red, pink, yellow, purple, blue, green and brown. The value of these stones is based upon the intensity, purity and quality of their color. They are commonly called "fancy color diamonds" or "fancies". On average, only one diamond in 10,000 has a color that earns the "fancy" designation. That makes these diamonds extremely valuable. Some of them have sold at auction for over one million dollars per carat.
Clarity: The ideal diamond is free from fractures and inclusions (particles of foreign material within the stone). These detract from the appearance of the stone and interfere with the passage of light through the stone. When present in large numbers, dark colors, obvious positions or sizes then will significantly degrade the appearance of a cut gem and lower its value. They can also reduce the strength of the stone.
Cut: The quality of design and craftsmanship used in cutting a diamond is what determines its appearance. The angles to which the facets are cut, the proportions of the design and the quality of the polishing are what determine its face-up appearance, brilliance, scintillation, pattern and fire. Ideal stones are perfectly polished to be highly reflective and emit a maximum amount of fire. The faceted faces are equal in size and identical in shape. And, the edges of each faceted face meet perfectly with each of its neighbors.
Carat: Diamonds are sold by the carat (a unit of weight equal to 1/5th of a gram or 1/142nd of an ounce). Small diamonds usually cost less per carat than larger stones of equal quality. This is because very small stones are very common and large stones are exceptionally rare.
Do you know that
Diamond Consumption in the United States
In 2014, consumers in the United States spent about $24.3 billion on gemstones. Of that amount, $22.5 billion was spent on diamonds, and about $1.8 billion was spent on colored stones. These statistics clearly show that diamonds are the most popular gemstones with U.S. consumers by an enormous margin.
Diamond Consumption in the United States
In 2014, consumers in the United States spent about $24.3 billion on gemstones. Of that amount, $22.5 billion was spent on diamonds, and about $1.8 billion was spent on colored stones. These statistics clearly show that diamonds are the most popular gemstones with U.S. consumers by an enormous margin.
Many different materials, both natural and synthetic, have been offered as diamond simulants - lower-cost gems that imitate diamond. None of them were really successful until cubic zirconia (often known as CZ) hit the market in 1976. Due to its convincing diamond-like appearance and low cost, it was a huge market success.
CZ had virtually no competition until 1998 when another material called moissanite was introduced to the market. Moissanite does occur as a natural mineral, but it is extremely rare and is found in tiny quantities, mainly in meteorites. By chemical composition it is silicon carbide. Silicon carbide was first synthesized by Jons Jacob Berzelius (1779-1848), a Swedish chemist, who is best known for his discovery of silicon. All of the moissanite currently sold on the market is synthetic.
As a diamond simulant, moissanite is superior to cubic zirconia in two ways. First, moissanite's hardness (8.5 to 9.25 on the Mohs scale) is closer to that of diamond; CZ by comparison has a hardness of 8 to 8.5. This difference in hardness affects not only durability, but also moissanite's appearance - a cut moissanite has facets that are nearly as crisp as those of a diamond.
Secondly, moissanite's density more closely approximates diamond. Moissanite has a specific gravity of 3.2, which is fairly close to that of diamond (3.5 to 3.53). Cubic zirconia, by contrast, is extremely dense, with a specific gravity of 5.6 to 6. Therefore, a 1 carat CZ is much smaller than a 1 carat diamond.
Moissanite has been heavily promoted in the marketplace by the one company that produces gem-quality material; Charles & Colvard. Though moissanite represents an advance over cubic zirconia, it does have some shortcomings. Diamond is a singly refractive material, as is CZ. But moissanite, like most gemstones, is double refractive. All moissanite is cut with the table perpendicular to the optic axis in order to hide this property, but when viewed under magnification at only a slight tilt the doubling of facets is easily visible.
Moissanite, like diamond, is a thermal conductor. So the diamond testers designed to distinguish diamond simulants like cubic zirconia will not identify moissanite. New diamond testers had to be introduced, which included an electrical conductivity tester that could differentiate between diamond and moissanite.
Moissanite's other shortcomings may eventually be overcome. One issue is a color problem; current moissanite production is plagued by an inescapable tint, which is usually a brownish-green. The other issue is cost - the limited availability of moissanite makes it about 120 times more expensive than cubic zirconia. So Charles & Colvard is trying to market moissanite not as a diamond simulant, but as a gemstone in its own right.
CZ had virtually no competition until 1998 when another material called moissanite was introduced to the market. Moissanite does occur as a natural mineral, but it is extremely rare and is found in tiny quantities, mainly in meteorites. By chemical composition it is silicon carbide. Silicon carbide was first synthesized by Jons Jacob Berzelius (1779-1848), a Swedish chemist, who is best known for his discovery of silicon. All of the moissanite currently sold on the market is synthetic.
As a diamond simulant, moissanite is superior to cubic zirconia in two ways. First, moissanite's hardness (8.5 to 9.25 on the Mohs scale) is closer to that of diamond; CZ by comparison has a hardness of 8 to 8.5. This difference in hardness affects not only durability, but also moissanite's appearance - a cut moissanite has facets that are nearly as crisp as those of a diamond.
Secondly, moissanite's density more closely approximates diamond. Moissanite has a specific gravity of 3.2, which is fairly close to that of diamond (3.5 to 3.53). Cubic zirconia, by contrast, is extremely dense, with a specific gravity of 5.6 to 6. Therefore, a 1 carat CZ is much smaller than a 1 carat diamond.
Moissanite has been heavily promoted in the marketplace by the one company that produces gem-quality material; Charles & Colvard. Though moissanite represents an advance over cubic zirconia, it does have some shortcomings. Diamond is a singly refractive material, as is CZ. But moissanite, like most gemstones, is double refractive. All moissanite is cut with the table perpendicular to the optic axis in order to hide this property, but when viewed under magnification at only a slight tilt the doubling of facets is easily visible.
Moissanite, like diamond, is a thermal conductor. So the diamond testers designed to distinguish diamond simulants like cubic zirconia will not identify moissanite. New diamond testers had to be introduced, which included an electrical conductivity tester that could differentiate between diamond and moissanite.
Moissanite's other shortcomings may eventually be overcome. One issue is a color problem; current moissanite production is plagued by an inescapable tint, which is usually a brownish-green. The other issue is cost - the limited availability of moissanite makes it about 120 times more expensive than cubic zirconia. So Charles & Colvard is trying to market moissanite not as a diamond simulant, but as a gemstone in its own right.
Moissanite is a gemstone born from the stars. It was first discovered in 1893 by a French scientist named Henri Moissan, who later won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He
discovered microscopic particles of the gem that would eventually bear his name in Arizona, in a crater created by a meteorite that fell to Earth. He initially thought that he had discovered diamonds, but later determined that the crystals were composed of silicon carbide.
Natural moissanite is incredibly rare, so moissanite available today is laboratory-created. After many years of trial and error,the particles Moissan discovered were
successfully synthesized to produce what is now one of the world's most scintillating gemstones.
Moissanite is engineered to give the illusion of similarity to diamonds, but is compositionally and visually quite different from a real diamond. The durability,brilliance, and color of the two gems are quite distinct.
discovered microscopic particles of the gem that would eventually bear his name in Arizona, in a crater created by a meteorite that fell to Earth. He initially thought that he had discovered diamonds, but later determined that the crystals were composed of silicon carbide.
Natural moissanite is incredibly rare, so moissanite available today is laboratory-created. After many years of trial and error,the particles Moissan discovered were
successfully synthesized to produce what is now one of the world's most scintillating gemstones.
Moissanite is engineered to give the illusion of similarity to diamonds, but is compositionally and visually quite different from a real diamond. The durability,brilliance, and color of the two gems are quite distinct.
LAB CREATED DIAMONDS
Lab diamonds are more affordable than their naturally mined diamond counterparts—typically you’ll save about 30% for a diamond of similar size and quality. Unlike moissanite, lab created diamonds have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. They exhibit the same properties of sparkle, fire, and scintillation. What’s more, they are an appealing option for those seeking an eco-friendly gemstone as they require no mining.
MAN MADE DIAMONDS
Lab created diamonds, also known as engineered or cultured diamonds, are grown in highly controlled laboratory environments using advanced technological processes that duplicate the conditions under which diamonds naturally develop when they form in the mantle, beneath the Earth’s crust. These man-made diamonds consist of actual carbon atoms arranged in the characteristic diamond crystal structure. Since they are made of the same material as natural diamonds, they exhibit the same optical and chemical properties.
lab diamonds are grown from the tiny carbon seeds of pre-existing diamonds. Advanced technology – either extreme pressure and heat or a special deposition process – mimics the natural method of diamond formation. Lab grown fancy colored diamonds are formed when small amounts of specific trace elements are present during the growth phase of the diamond, just like in nature. In both white and fancy colored lab diamonds, the exact composition of trace elements may differ from their natural diamond counterparts. Lab diamonds can only be distinguished from natural diamonds using specialized equipment that can detect the minor differences in trace elements and crystal growth.
Cultured diamonds are also available in fancy colors that are considered very rare in nature, including popular hues of vivid fancy yellow. Fancy colored lab created diamonds sell at comparatively reasonable prices compared to their natural colored diamond counterparts.
Lab diamonds are more affordable than their naturally mined diamond counterparts—typically you’ll save about 30% for a diamond of similar size and quality. Unlike moissanite, lab created diamonds have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds. They exhibit the same properties of sparkle, fire, and scintillation. What’s more, they are an appealing option for those seeking an eco-friendly gemstone as they require no mining.
MAN MADE DIAMONDS
Lab created diamonds, also known as engineered or cultured diamonds, are grown in highly controlled laboratory environments using advanced technological processes that duplicate the conditions under which diamonds naturally develop when they form in the mantle, beneath the Earth’s crust. These man-made diamonds consist of actual carbon atoms arranged in the characteristic diamond crystal structure. Since they are made of the same material as natural diamonds, they exhibit the same optical and chemical properties.
lab diamonds are grown from the tiny carbon seeds of pre-existing diamonds. Advanced technology – either extreme pressure and heat or a special deposition process – mimics the natural method of diamond formation. Lab grown fancy colored diamonds are formed when small amounts of specific trace elements are present during the growth phase of the diamond, just like in nature. In both white and fancy colored lab diamonds, the exact composition of trace elements may differ from their natural diamond counterparts. Lab diamonds can only be distinguished from natural diamonds using specialized equipment that can detect the minor differences in trace elements and crystal growth.
Cultured diamonds are also available in fancy colors that are considered very rare in nature, including popular hues of vivid fancy yellow. Fancy colored lab created diamonds sell at comparatively reasonable prices compared to their natural colored diamond counterparts.
Are there different ways of making a lab diamond?
Lab created synthetic diamonds can be made in two main ways. One method is high-pressure high-temperature (also known as the HPHT process). This is when engineers make something of a diamond/carbon soup and then using high heat and high pressure they are able to create single diamond crystals. The other way is via chemical vapor deposition (known as CVD). This process takes a tiny seed of a diamond crystal and then grows that diamond layer by layer in a chamber.
Do lab diamonds cost less than earth mined?These synthetic diamonds are 30 to 40 percent cheaper, and can be produced in a matter of months. They’re so indistinguishable to the naked eye that the diamond industry is in an arms race to produce machines that can discern lab-grown from natural ones, in order to keep the synthetics from flooding the market. “If anyone tells you they can tell the difference without the machine, they’re lying,” said Ariel Baruch, a jeweler at Diamonds by Israel Standard Inc., which sells lab-grown diamonds.So how can you tell a lab-grown gem from a natural one? Here are a few ways:
Lab created synthetic diamonds can be made in two main ways. One method is high-pressure high-temperature (also known as the HPHT process). This is when engineers make something of a diamond/carbon soup and then using high heat and high pressure they are able to create single diamond crystals. The other way is via chemical vapor deposition (known as CVD). This process takes a tiny seed of a diamond crystal and then grows that diamond layer by layer in a chamber.
Do lab diamonds cost less than earth mined?These synthetic diamonds are 30 to 40 percent cheaper, and can be produced in a matter of months. They’re so indistinguishable to the naked eye that the diamond industry is in an arms race to produce machines that can discern lab-grown from natural ones, in order to keep the synthetics from flooding the market. “If anyone tells you they can tell the difference without the machine, they’re lying,” said Ariel Baruch, a jeweler at Diamonds by Israel Standard Inc., which sells lab-grown diamonds.So how can you tell a lab-grown gem from a natural one? Here are a few ways:
- Some have laser inscriptions. It’s easiest to tell them apart if they just tell you . The company Pure Grown Diamonds makes minuscule laser inscriptions reading “Lab Grown” on their diamonds so people can tell them apart.
- Their type is very rare. The diamonds grown using the new technique, refined by IIa Technologies in Singapore, are type IIa . Fewer than 2 percent of natural diamonds are type IIa, which have almost no impurities from elements like nitrogen, rendering most of them “colorless.” Most of the time when diamonds form inside the earth, other elements creep into the carbon lattice — boron for blue diamonds, nitrogen for yellow, hydrogen for purple. Most lab-grown diamonds using old techniques were yellow because they had too much nitrogen, making them unattractive for most jewelry.
- They’re formed differently. While natural diamonds form under intense heat and pressure under the earth’s surface, synthetic diamonds are obviously grown in a lab. At IIa Technologies, each diamond begins with a “seed”—a previously grown or natural diamond that’s about the thickness of a fingernail. This seed is placed in a vacuum chamber where microwave rays, methane and hydrogen gasses rain down to build layers of carbon bonds that form a diamond. “At correct conditions, correct temperature, the crystal growth actually starts and the diamond just starts growing,” said physicist and IIa technique inventor Devi Shanker Misra. These differences show distinctive growth patterns that you can detect with a machine.
- They have different surface fluorescence. The International Institute of Diamond Grading & Research offers several verification instruments (at pretty hefty price points) that can tell the difference between lab-grown and natural diamonds in a matter of minutes or seconds. In the DiamondView machine , type IIa natural diamonds fluoresce blue while lab-grown ones using the CVD technique fluoresce orange. But the DiamondView costs up to $36,000. The D-Screen , a handheld device, is only about $500 and can tell you whether a stone is natural or could be lab-grown or lab-treated to make it colorless. You still have to test those stones in a lab (using a device like DiamondView) to know for sure if it’s natural or not, though. Watch the DiamondView in action here:
Earth Diamonds price list ( just for guidance for any prices please contact me directly.)
Lab Diamonds price list ( just for guidance. for any inquiries plesse contact me directly)
