Diamond Education
A short history, a little geology, and the Four C’s every buyer should understand before spending a dime.
A brief diamond history
Diamonds are a part of history and legend. Kings have sacrificed kingdoms for diamonds, and women have sacrificed their freedom. Greek tradition held that the fire in a diamond reflected the constant flame of eternal love.
For centuries they belonged only to royalty — until the great South African discoveries of 1870 opened diamonds to the world.
A diamond is born
Diamonds form from carbon deep in the Earth’s crust under extreme heat and pressure over millions of years, then ride volcanic eruptions to the surface. It is estimated that 250 tons of ore must be mined, crushed, sorted and re-sorted to find one rough diamond suitable for cutting into a one-carat gemstone.
The Four C’s
Cut refers to shape and proportions. Most diamonds carry 58 facets. When a diamond is properly proportioned and cut, it gives maximum brilliance — refracting light inside the stone and bouncing it back up to the eye. Poorly cut stones lose value.
Graded on an alphabetical D–Z scale measuring body color against pure white under white light.
Every grade is measured under 10× magnification.
Carat is a measure of weight, not size. One carat equals one-fifth of a gram — a unit descended from the remarkably consistent carob seed. Each carat is divided into 100 points, and every point matters on the report.
By appointment · Babylon, NY
Watch a GIA graduate gemologist grade your diamond in front of you — and leave with a report insurers accept.
