Category Archives: Diamond

Diamonds are one of the world’s most fascinating and valuable gemstones, and their formation process is equally intriguing. They can be formed deep within the Earth’s mantle or inside a lab. What is a Diamond? But first, let’s start with some basic information about diamonds. Diamonds are made of pure carbon, and their crystal structure gives them their characteristic sparkle and brilliance. It takes immense heat and pressure to create, whether they are formed deep within the Earth’s mantle or within a lab. Do you ever wonder what the process is like? Let’s go through how a diamond is formed in each setting: How are Natural Diamonds Formed? So, how are diamonds formed? Several processes can create diamonds, but the “high-pressure, high-temperature” (HPHT) process is the most common method. In this process, carbon is subjected to extreme pressure and heat deep within the Earth’s mantle, which causes it to crystallize into a diamond. According to the Smithsonian, “as far as we know, all diamonds that formed in the Earth formed under those kinds of conditions and, of course, that’s a part of the Earth we can’t directly sample. We don’t have any way of drilling to that depth or any other way of traveling down to the upper mantle of the Earth.” One of the most fascinating aspects of diamond formation is that it can take billions of years to form. Many diamonds are thought to be over 1 billion years old! This means the diamonds we see today are remnants of ancient geological processes long before humans existed. Another interesting fact about diamonds is that they can also be formed by impact events, such as meteorite impacts. When a meteorite strikes the Earth’s surface, it can create immense pressure and heat similar to the conditions found deep within the Earth’s mantle. This can cause carbon to crystallize into diamonds, creating what is known as an “impact diamond.” How are Lab-Grown Diamonds Formed? Similar to natural diamonds, laboratory-made diamonds are created in an artificial setting that mimics how diamonds are naturally formed within the Earth. There are two methods to create lab diamonds: CVD (chemical vapour deposition) and HPHT. During CVD diamond creation, a slice of diamond is placed into a chamber where it is exposed to carbon-rich gas and amped up to extremely high temperatures. In weeks, the original diamond slice eventually crystallises, forming a fully-formed diamond. So, there you have it – a brief overview of how diamonds are formed! Many great resources are available online if you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating topic. Some recommended resources include the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the Smithsonian.

If you’re a diamond enthusiast like me, you know all about the 4 C’s and basic shapes. But the diamond industry is complex with a rich history – so, of course you’ll find some diamond cuts that are unique to your rounds, pears, and ovals. Here are x diamond cuts you might not know about: Diamond Shapes 101 A diamonds shape (not to be confused with cut), refers to the general silhouette of the stone, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Each diamond shape has their own defining attributes that match different styles and personalities. We’ve covered the basic shapes in another blog post. You can find that blog post here. Ashoka® The Ashoka® diamond is the brand name for a round-cornered rectangular modified brilliant cut. Designed by William Goldberg diamonds in 1999, and patented by the same company in 2000, this unique shape has 62 facets. The selection process for this shape is strict: only 10% of diamonds make the cut (get it?) since the rough diamond needs to be larger and longer than other typical shapes. It can even take up to six months to cut an Ashoka diamond! This shape is truly one-of-a-kind.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ASHOKA® By William Goldberg (@williamgoldbergdiamonds) Asprey Inspired by the cushion cut popularized in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, world-renowned diamond-cutter Gabi Tolkowsky designs the Asprey diamond. The Asprey shape has the same overall silhouette of the cushion, however there are some distinct differences to note. Asprey cuts are entirely cut by hand, making it even more unique. Other common shapes are the results of machine diamond-cutters. Also, this diamond has exactly 61 facets compared to the 58-64 in a cushion cut. Additionally, an “A” in engraved on the edge of the Asprey, making this shape unmistakable. The Crown Jubilee® A truly unique shape, the Crown Jubilee® diamond is a rare find. This shape lacks a flat table and has 8 facets on the top (totaling 88 facets). As its name suggests, it was created in the early 20th century to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 50th anniversary as queen. We’re big fans of recommerce, so we enjoy this fun fact: The Crown Jubilee® is the first branded proprietary diamond cut that is recut from post-consumer diamonds. So, they are never cut from raw materials, as mining for diamonds is hard on the environment. Lily The Lily shape is reminiscent of a flower or a 4-leaf clover. The unique shape was designed and patented by Lili Diamonds in 2007. If you’re a high fashion fan, you’ll notice that this diamond shape is similar to shapes found in Louis Vuitton print. In fact, the massive designer brand has used Lily cut diamonds in their own jewelry collections in partnership with Lili Diamonds. This shape features around 65 facets and can display round petals or pointed petals. However, cutting a diamond into this shape will cost a significant amount of raw diamond. The loss of raw diamonds ranges from 25-50%, so, much like LV, the cost is much higher than the other diamonds of the same carat weight.   Whether you’re looking for a round diamond, or one of the rare shapes listed above, Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange has a huge selection of diamonds priced for every budget.

In the jewelry world, we judge diamonds by using the four Cs: carat, color, clarity, and cut. Each affects the price, so read on to learn more about each C!  Four Cs: Carat Carat weight is arguably the most important of the four Cs: it’s how big that rock is!  Carat (not to be confused with karat that refers to gold purity) measures the weight of diamonds and other gemstones. One metric carat is equal to 0.2 grams.  Color Next up in our guide to the four Cs is Color. We measure a diamond’s color on a scale from D to Z, with D being the whitest and Z being brown. So, when you think about it, the color evaluation of a diamond is actually based on the absence of color. According to GIA, “a chemically pure and structurally perfect diamond has no hue, like a drop of water, and consequently, a higher value.” Keep in mind, some people like colored diamonds, and they’re just as gorgeous! But, if you’re looking for a traditional, bright white diamond, you want to get as close to D as your budget will allow. Clarity Just as our faces get blemishes, so do diamonds. As GIA explains it, “natural diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep within the earth. The process can result in various internal characteristics called “inclusions” and external characteristics called “blemishes.” Unlike humans, however, some diamonds really are perfect. We refer to diamonds with the best clarity as flawless. After that, the scale gets a little tricky. GIA has a standardized scale that breaks it down: Flawless (FL) No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification Internally Flawless (IF) No inclusions visible under 10x magnification Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification. Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification but can be characterized as minor. Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification. Included (I1, I2, and I3) Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification. Clarity should be part of your decision-making, but remember, not everyone is going to be looking at your diamond with a jeweler’s loupe. Many diamonds have imperfections, and that can be part of what makes them unique.  Cut Diamonds don’t come out of the ground shining as they do on a ring — it takes a skilled artisan to cut them and make them sparkle. A diamond’s cut (not to be confused with shape) refers to the arrangement of facets needed to create an attractive face-up appearance. In addition, it fuels the diamond’s sparkle. 

If you’ve been looking for the perfect diamond, you might have heard the term “fluorescence” tossed around. What is it? Is it a good thing to have in your diamond? Does it affect the price? These are some frequent questions we get at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange, and we are committed to making sure our customers make the most informed decision possible. We want you to love your stone and understand every aspect of it. Here’s everything you need to know about fluorescence in a diamond. What is diamond fluorescence? The term fluorescence refers to how a diamond responds when subjected to ultra-violet light. This can cause them to emit a bluish or even a yellow light. Similar to when you go to a bowling alley and your white socks glow under the black-light, a diamond with fluorescence will glow, too. While only about 25% to 35% of diamonds exhibit some degree of fluorescence, it’s important to know how fluorescence level affects the appearance of your diamond. The GIA describes a diamond’s fluorescence by its intensity (None, Faint, Medium, Strong and Very Strong) when compared to master stones used in the lab. If the fluorescence is Medium, Strong, or Very Strong, the color of the fluorescence will be noted. Whether or not you’ll be able to see the fluorescence with a naked eye depends on the color grade. The color grade is measured on a scale of D to Z, with D being colorless and Z being yellow or brown. In the middle of this scale lies slight yellow. Typically, you want your diamond to be as close to colorless as your budget will allow. However, fluorescence can work in your favor in a diamond with yellowish color. While your fluorescence really doesn’t matter if you can’t see it with a naked eye, strong and very strong fluorescence often makes for hazy diamonds. Since GIA grades a diamond’s fluorescence, be sure you’re buying a GIA-certified. This is the best way you can ensure you love every aspect of your diamond.