Their sparkle has mesmerised the world for generations. about one million years ago -long before the existence of life on earth as we know it – diamonds formed far beneath the surface, under the very special conditions of high pressure and relatively low temperatures. 75-100 miles above those diamonds was a surface covered with ocean, as the continents had not yet formed. There the diamonds sat for millions and millions of years, until they were thrust toward the surface by molten kimerlite a mere 55 million years ago. Rock and ash were blasted into the air in an explosive cloud, engulfing parts of redwood forest. The debris collapsed back into the ground and, once cooled, formed a conical “pipe”. Over the millions of intervening years, the remaining redwoods and the volcano tops were scraped away by erosion – the most recent of which was due to receding glaciers transporting bits of kimberlite miles away. The challenge for explorers was to trace those dislocated pieces (the indicators) back to the source.
Most diamonds are found in kimberlite, but not all kimberlite contains diamonds. Worldwide, there are roughly 5,000 known kimberlite deposits, but only 1% are considered to be worth mining. For centuries, miners panned rives and stream beds, hoping to find diamonds. These gems were actually far from their original home, due to millions of years of erosion. Not until the 1800s did geologists discover kimberlite to be the diamond’s source.
Kimberlite, a dark, carbon-dioxide-rich rock, provides geologies a glimpse of what lies beneath. Embedded in it are a variety of heavy mineral calls indicators, which include distinctive olivine, garnets, and chrome diopside. Explorers use these minerals as “breadcrumbs” of sorts, following the indicator trail with the hopes of locating diamond-laden kimberlite pipe.
Carat weight is likely to be the 5C in which most customers are more familiar. It is also the easiest characteristic to describe and present to your customers since size differences are more easily discernible. Furthermore, carat weight plays an important part in the overall value of a diamond because larger diamonds are more rare and therefore cost more. However, just because a diamond might be bigger, does not necessarily mean it will be the best choice for your customer. Overall diamond quality is determined by all of the 5Cs combined, and diamond jewellers should make it clear to their customers that larger diamonds can magnify cut, colour and clarity for the better and sometimes for the worse. As a diamond retailer, describing the pros and cons of a larger diamond, based on that particular diamond’s combined characteristics, will allow your customer to determine which qualities are most important to them and if that particular diamond is what they are looking for.
Defining Carat Weight The term “carat” is the standard unit of weight for diamonds and other gemstones. The name originates from the carob seed, which was the original unit of measure for diamond traders. In 1913 the United States implemented the modern metric carat, which is equal to 0.2 grams, and other countries soon followed. Today, a carat means the same thing everywhere in the world. A carat can be further divided into 100 points, allowing for very precise measurements. This is critical for jewellers as even a very small weight difference can have an impact on the overall diamond value and pricing structure.
Diamond Carat Size Comparison Just as two people, one who is tall and thin and the other who is short and stout, might weigh the same on the bathroom scale, two diamonds that appear to be different sizes might actually have the same carat weight. That’s because variations in shape and cut make diamonds of similar weights look different. Since carat weight is distributed over the entire diamond, other measurements are needed to describe the overall size: Crown Area – this is the total surface area of the top of the diamond (measured in mm2). It shows the size of the diamond as it appears face up, similar to how we view a diamond when set in a ring. Cut Proportions – if two diamonds are the same carat weight and shape, but one carries a larger percentage of its weight in its depth, then the table percentage (flat section at the top of the diamond) and overall crown area will be smaller, giving the impression that the diamond is smaller from the top. The photo (right) shows two 1 ct. round diamonds, but the diamond on the left is cut deeper and therefore has a smaller table percentage across the top. Shape – diamond shapes such as oval or marquise have elongated lengths, resulting in the appearance of a larger size per carat weight. Sometimes this size difference can be real, however, it can also be just an illusion based on perception. It is important to explain to your customers how these different factors affect the perception of diamond size. A diamond with a higher carat weight is likely to be more expensive, but may not look that much larger than a smaller carat weight diamond once set in jewellery. Help your customer find a diamond that gives the largest perception of size for the jewellery setting they like, while staying within their budget.
Carat Weight, Rarity, and Pricing The larger a diamond is, the more rare it is, so as the carat weight of a diamond increases, the diamond’s price can also increase exponentially. In addition, diamond prices jump at the full-and half-carat weights. Not only is there an overall price hike, but as the carat weight increases, the price-per-carat climbs as well. Diamonds just below these cut-offs cost considerably less, and, because carat weight is distributed across the whole diamond, small size differences can be difficult to detect. Before buying or selling any diamonds, always check that you are getting or setting the right price. The industry’s primary source for diamond price information, shows exactly how much a diamond should cost based on size, shape, colour, clarity and cut.
Conclusion It is important for your customers to understand that carat is a measure of weight and not the physical size that the eye sees. Carat weight can have a large impact on a diamond’s value and for some customers this will be an important factor. However, for others, what really matters is the size a diamond appears to be from the top, once set in jewellery. As small changes in carat weight can have little impact on the overall size appearance of a diamond, but yet still impact the price, you should guide your customers to find the right cut and setting to reflect the desired diamond size within their budget.
Struggling to find a unique piece of jewellery that truly reflects the individual personality of your special someone? Or that perfectly commemorates a special occasion or anniversary? You may want to consider creating your own piece of customized jewellery. Your unique individual design will represent your unique style and celebrate the momentous occasion, while signifying the importance of the bond with your partner through a meaningful and beautiful custom jewellery piece.
The benefits of customized jewellery A customized jewellery piece is a beautiful way to mark a special occasion, such as an engagement, wedding anniversary or birthday, as it can reflect your partner’s individual style and personality, while reflect the unique bond of your relationship together. For this reason, you want to give your partner a custom jewellery piece that they will always love for the way it looks, how it feels to wear, and most importantly, the message of love behind the gift. When you create a customized jewellery piece, you can take into account your partner’s preferences in relation to colours, style and size, and you have the flexibility to create your own ring, earrings, bracelet or necklace for the big day.
1. Visualize and Sketch: The first step to designing any piece of jewellery, is to establish how you want it to look. What type of jewellery do you want – a ring, earrings, a necklace or a bracelet? Work out all the intricate details, such as the size and shape of the piece, and what style you prefer for the overall design. Ask a friend or family member to help you brainstorm ideas and help sketch the details, so you can work out exactly what you want.
2. The Details: Next comes the fun part! Choose from the wide range of diamonds and gemstones available through Israel-Diamonds for the right colour and cut to bring out the best in your design. You also need to choose the right metal for your individual taste, whether you prefer platinum, gold or sterling silver. Have fun exploring all the different options before making your final choice. Look at the latest gemstone trends – emerald rings are extremely popular now – or consider an all-time classic such as a diamond solitaire for earrings engagement rings and wedding bands.
3. The Wait: Quality custom jewellery involves both time and labour, so once you pass your sketch to the jeweller, you will need to allow a few weeks to a month to receive the finished product.
Despite the challenges, custom jewellery pieces are generally destined to become treasured heirloom pieces that become part of your family’s history. Create your piece of art which will be passed down through the generations along with the story around its creation.
How to design your own ring
Tags: custom jewellery, design your own ring, personalized jewellery Category: Custom Jewellery
