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| Home » Daimond Advice » Diamond FAQ's |
| Diamond FAQ's |
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| What is an Ideal Cut? |
The "Ideal Cut" is a cut based on a
specific set of proportions for a round brilliant diamond proposed by gem cutter
Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. While Tolkowsky's original theories presented only one
particular combination of proportions for creating the best balance of
brilliance and dispersion, today the American Gemological Society recognizes any
diamond falling within a narrow range of proportions and finish quality as being
an "Ideal Cut" (also called an "AGS 0" or "AGS triple zero").
For a more
detailed discussion on Ideal Cuts, please see the section in our Diamond
Learning Center entitled "The Ideal Cut: A Consumer's Guide."
Where Do Diamonds Come From?
Diamonds are made
up of pure carbon atoms that exist deep in the ground, exposed to intense heat
and pressure over billions of years. Over time, this pressure builds up and
forces the diamonds and rocks up toward the surface in a volcanic-like
explosion. The explosion creates a very deep, wide hole called a "pipe" into
which most of the diamonds settle; these deposits of diamonds are known as
primary deposits. Other diamonds are washed away by water or erosion, and
often settle into the coastal waters of nearby bodies of water; these are
alluvial deposits. These deposits occur in many places around the globe;
however, the largest commercial deposits exist in Angola, Australia, Botswana,
Namibia, South Africa, Russia and Zaire, which produce 80% of the world's
diamonds.
Walking through the aisle of a jewelry store, you may not
think diamonds are especially rare. But consider this: 250 tons (500,000 pounds)
of ore must be mined and processed to produce just one carat of rough diamond.
Since a rough diamond typically loses 40% to 60% of its weight when cut, that
means that all these efforts are necessary to produce just one of the .50 carat
polished diamonds you find in the store's display counters. When you also
consider the fact that only about one quarter of all rough diamonds are actually
suitable for gem cutting, you can begin to appreciate the rarity and uniqueness
of each diamond.
A quick, fun fact: The first diamond deposits were
brought to the surface of the earth approximately 2.5 billion years ago. The
most recent deposits are roughly 50 million years old. Your diamond is a truly
unique piece of history.
Is a Diamond a Good Investment?
The answer depends on whether you are investing in the diamond
itself, or in what a diamond represents.
Diamond prices have been steadily increasing for the past 20 years, and diamonds tend to hold their value. Given this, it is extremely unlikely that diamonds will ever entirely lose their value, in spite of how the market may change in the future. However, no one can predict, with absolute certainty, which way the market will swing
and, in general, we do not recommend buying up high-quality diamonds as a main
part of a financial/retirement plan.
On the other hand, if you are
looking for a source of beauty and a symbol of eternity and everlasting love,
there are few objects you can choose that will surpass a diamond's perfection.
Diamonds have inflamed man's passions since the first moment at which they were
discovered, and their power over our emotions and desires has only grown since
then. As a timeless and beautiful gift to yourself or as an emblem of your
commitment to another, a diamond is an excellent investment.
Ultimately,
whether you choose to consider it an investment, a symbol, or a unique work of
art, you can be certain that by buying your diamond from gddiamond, you are always
getting a beautiful diamond and an excellent value for your money.
What is the Difference Between a Certified and a Non-Certified Diamond?
There is no
physical difference between a diamond that is certified and one that is not. A certificate does not change the nature of a diamond in any way. The difference
between a certified and an uncertified diamond is that, with the certified
diamond, you have tangible, legal assurances as to the particular nature and
quality of the diamond you are purchasing.
A certified diamond comes
with a diamond grading report guaranteed by an accredited gem lab. This report
assures the customer that the diamond is independently recognized as possessing
all the qualities specified by that report. All the diamonds featured in the
Diamond Store on our site are certified by either GIA or AGS. When you buy a
certified diamond, you are getting a diamond with beauty and pedigree.
On the other hand, an uncertified diamond has is not accompanied by a
diamond grading report, and therefore its stated quality is based only on the
word of the seller.
An uncertified diamond is not necessarily a bad
diamond; certainly, it can be as beautiful as its certified counterpart.
However, we encourage our customers to buy certified diamonds for the following
reasons:
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Shopping for certified diamonds allows you to make an informed
choice about your selections, and to comparison shop. You can compare one
diamond with a particular weight and quality with other diamonds of similar
weight and quality to determine which is the better value. With uncertified
diamonds, it is difficult to determine whether the quality assessments of one
jeweler will be as stringent and precise as the judgments of other jewelers;
that is, not all jewelers may agree about the quality of an uncertified
diamond.
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A diamond grading report adds value to a diamond. The quality
assessments made by independent labs, such as GIA or AGS, are recognized
worldwide. These quality assessments are used by appraisers to determine the
insurance or replacement value of your diamond. If you purchase an uncertified
diamond, there is no guarantee that the appraiser will appraise your diamond at
the same level at which the jeweler who sold it to you did. A quick note on how
reports from various independent labs compare with one another: GIA and AGS are
considered the industry leaders, and the final word on gem quality, among
diamond dealers worldwide. While plenty of other independent labs exist, some
are a bit lax in their assessments of diamond quality and do not command the
same respect for consistency and quality of grading that GIA and AGS do. For
this reason, if you are in the market for a diamond, make an effort to buy only
GIA- or AGS-graded diamonds.
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| A diamond grading report adds an increased comfort-level to your
purchase. Because the quality of your purchase has been independently verified,
you can feel assured that you have made a wise purchase and that you have
received exactly what you have paid for. |
Is it Safe to Receive Diamonds in the Mail?
Yes. gddiamond uses only insured carriers (FedEx and UPS) to ship its packages, and all shipments are
insured for the full value of their contents.
Because your purchase is insured from the
time it leaves our office until the moment it reaches your hands, statistically,
it is safer to purchase your diamond from gddiamond.com than to buy a diamond at a
store and transport it home yourself.
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