DIAMONDS:

Here are some interesting facts about diamonds. Diamonds are the crystalline form of Carbon and are the hardest know substance on Earth. Diamonds have a high refractive index which gives them a brilliant shine and sparkle as light enters the diamond. Diamonds come in a variety of different colours. Cognac and champagne coloured diamonds are the most common while red diamonds are rarer.

Diamonds are formed under extreme pressure and very high temperatures. Most of the world’s diamonds are found in central and South Africa. Diamonds are graded on the “4 C’s”: cut, colour, clarity and carat.

Cut: The South African ideal cut is made up of 58 equal facets to maximise fire and brilliance. It is the best diamond cut in the world.

Colour: Diamonds are graded on a scale from D (completely colourless) to Z (light yellow)

Clarity: Diamonds are graded based on their inclusions. IF (internally flawless) all the way to I3 (heavily included)

Carat: Carat is the unit of weight which all gemstones, precious and semi-precious, are weighed in.

In closing, only 20% of the world’s diamonds are of gemstone quality. Diamonds truly are a wonder to behold.