Diamonds
BY JANELLE MEYERS
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Local Rarities
In fear of being too cliché, let’s tackle the common saying, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”
The comparison of diamonds to best friends is actually pretty astounding. In the world of women, the superior title of “best friend” is reserved for those friends of utmost importance.
When girls think “best friend,” they think beautiful, loyal, deep, caring and nothing short of amazing. And although some cannot imagine forming that type of bond with a diamond, this “cliché” implies that it is indeed possible.
The real similarities, though, of a diamond and a best friend are how rare, unique and special both are.
Each diamond you see in stores is millions of years old (some are in the billions) and was formed 60 to 120 miles below the earth’s surface. That diamond seen in the display case was carried close to the earth’s surface by a volcanic eruption.
The volcanic magma acts as a conveyer belt. When the magma cools, it becomes a rock known as kimberlite. The diamond was then uncovered by mining into this kimberlite pipe, thus making diamonds extremely rare (like a best friend!).
Before reaching stores, an expert grades each diamond, and the ratings assigned to it determine its cost.
Shop for Local Rarities
DeVons Jewelers
220 Lincoln Center Stockton
(209) 951-9610
www.devonsjewelers.com
Gary J. Long Jewelers
320 Lincoln Center Stockton
(209) 477-6881
www.gjlongjewelers.com
Peck’s Jewelers
5308 Pacific Avenue Stockton
(209) 478-6510
www.pecksjewelers.com
The Four Cs
COLOR is commonly known as the first consideration in choosing a diamond. A diamond’s color is graded on an alphabetical scale from D-Z, with D being colorless and Z being light yellow.
CLARITY ratings are determined when experts use a 10x magnifying loupe which allows them to see the appearance of inclusions, as most characteristics cannot be seen with the naked eye.
DIAMOND CLARITY SCALE
FL - Flawless
IF - Internally Flawless
VVS1 & VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Included
VS1 & VS2 - Very Slightly Included
SI1 & SI2 - Slightly Included
I1, I2 & I3 - Include
CUT refers to both a diamond’s shape and how well the cutting has been executed. A diamond’s cut influences three things:
1. Fire: The rainbow colors that flash from within
2. Brilliance: Sparkle and liveliness
3. Perceived sizeCARAT is a measure of weight. One carat is the equivalent of 200 milligrams. Since larger diamonds are rarer than smaller ones, the value rises with carat weight.
The comparison of diamonds to best friends is actually pretty astounding. In the world of women, the superior title of “best friend” is reserved for those friends of utmost importance.
When girls think “best friend,” they think beautiful, loyal, deep, caring and nothing short of amazing. And although some cannot imagine forming that type of bond with a diamond, this “cliché” implies that it is indeed possible.
The real similarities, though, of a diamond and a best friend are how rare, unique and special both are.
Each diamond you see in stores is millions of years old (some are in the billions) and was formed 60 to 120 miles below the earth’s surface. That diamond seen in the display case was carried close to the earth’s surface by a volcanic eruption.
The volcanic magma acts as a conveyer belt. When the magma cools, it becomes a rock known as kimberlite. The diamond was then uncovered by mining into this kimberlite pipe, thus making diamonds extremely rare (like a best friend!).
Before reaching stores, an expert grades each diamond, and the ratings assigned to it determine its cost.
Shop for Local Rarities
DeVons Jewelers
220 Lincoln Center Stockton
(209) 951-9610
www.devonsjewelers.com
Gary J. Long Jewelers
320 Lincoln Center Stockton
(209) 477-6881
www.gjlongjewelers.com
Peck’s Jewelers
5308 Pacific Avenue Stockton
(209) 478-6510
www.pecksjewelers.com
The Four Cs
COLOR is commonly known as the first consideration in choosing a diamond. A diamond’s color is graded on an alphabetical scale from D-Z, with D being colorless and Z being light yellow.
CLARITY ratings are determined when experts use a 10x magnifying loupe which allows them to see the appearance of inclusions, as most characteristics cannot be seen with the naked eye.
DIAMOND CLARITY SCALE
FL - Flawless
IF - Internally Flawless
VVS1 & VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Included
VS1 & VS2 - Very Slightly Included
SI1 & SI2 - Slightly Included
I1, I2 & I3 - Include
CUT refers to both a diamond’s shape and how well the cutting has been executed. A diamond’s cut influences three things:
1. Fire: The rainbow colors that flash from within
2. Brilliance: Sparkle and liveliness
3. Perceived sizeCARAT is a measure of weight. One carat is the equivalent of 200 milligrams. Since larger diamonds are rarer than smaller ones, the value rises with carat weight.