Discover the World of Diamonds
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Diamond Education with ShineDove. Uncover the rich history of these precious stones, understand their unique formation process, and follow their transformation into the brilliant diamonds we cherish today. Explore the different diamond shapes, cuts, and the essential factors to consider when selecting the perfect diamond for your needs.
The History of Diamonds
The story of diamonds is a significant part of Diamond Education, tracing back thousands of years. Diamonds, renowned as the most valuable and precious stones in the world, have captivated human desire for centuries. These unique minerals, known for their unparalleled hardness, were first discovered in India. In 327 BC, Alexander the Great introduced these sparkling gems to Europe. Understanding the history of diamonds offers valuable insight into their enduring allure and the factors that make them such sought-after treasures.
Diamond Formation
Diamonds occur naturally, though they are incredibly rare compared to other minerals. Their journey begins deep within the Earth, 100-200 miles below the surface. Here, carbon-bearing materials undergo intense pressure, ranging from 45 to 60 kilobars (4.5 to 6 GPa), and a relatively low temperature range of 900 to 1,300 degrees centigrade.
These unique conditions are found in the lithospheric mantle beneath stable continental plates or at meteorite strike sites. Diamonds often form as inclusions in volcanic rock known as kimberlite. The rough stones are extracted through a process of blasting, crushing, and sorting.
Sorting of Diamonds
Once mined, diamond ore is transported to a processing plant where it undergoes a series of stages, including crushing and sorting. Experts classify diamonds based on shape, size, quality, and colour. Advanced X-ray technology is used to scan and sort these rough pieces, ensuring precision in categorising them.
Cutting and Polishing
Transforming a rough diamond into a faceted gem is a delicate process that requires specialised skills and equipment. Cutting diamonds can involve cleaving, sawing with a copper blade embedded with diamond dust, or grinding against a diamond-dust-covered steel wheel. The final polishing process involves blocking, faceting (also known as brillianteering), and polishing, which gives the diamond its brilliant finish.
Setting and Manufacturing
In the final stage, diamonds are meticulously cleaned in acids and inspected to ensure they meet the manufacturer’s quality standards. Once they pass this rigorous examination, they are set into finished jewellery pieces, ready to adorn and captivate.
Shapes of a Diamond
Understanding the various shapes of diamonds is an essential aspect of Diamond Education.
Choosing the right diamond shape is the first step in finding the perfect stone that matches your personal style and preferences. Here are some of the most popular diamond shapes:
Round Shape: The most popular diamond shape, accounting for approximately 75% of all diamonds sold. The round cut, perfected in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky, is known for its superior light reflection and brilliance.
Emerald Shape: Characterised by step cuts and a large open table, emerald-cut diamonds create a stunning hall-of-mirrors effect. This shape highlights the stone’s clarity, making inclusions or body colour more visible.
Princess Shape: A square cut that has become the most popular fancy diamond shape since its creation in 1980. Princess-cut diamonds are versatile, working well in almost any ring style, and are typically more affordable per carat than round cuts.
Oval Shape: An elongated, modified brilliant-cut diamond that offers similar fire and brilliance to round diamonds. The oval shape creates the illusion of a larger stone.
Heart Shape: A symbol of love, the heart-shaped diamond is a modified brilliant cut popular in solitaire pendants and rings. It is best appreciated in stones over 50 carats, where the shape is more easily perceived.
