Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2008 | Page 64
life
ANTIQUES
Diamonds are
a girls best friend
By Philip Hoare
Everybody knows that Diamonds are a girls best
friend! But how do you know if you have chosen the
right one?
How do you gauge the
authenticity of such a rare and
beautiful gemstone? Diamonds
are multifaceted, allotropes
of carbon, they dazzle and
sparkle in the light. It is a little
known fact that Diamonds are
the hardest known naturally
occurring mineral and for that
reason are used in industry
(Diamond Headed Drills),
as well as for jewellery! A
Diamond is so tough it can
only be scratched by another
Diamond! Hence its name
‘Diamond’ which is derived
64
from Ancient Greek and means
‘Invincible’
Diamonds are incredibly
popular today - just as they
have always been and always
will be - we see countless
advertising campaigns on
the TV, in magazines and on
bill boards. Diamonds make
wonderful gifts, but to judge
the quality of one correctly
one must take into account
The four C’s which are Cut,
Colour, Carat and Clarity.
I have seen and dealt with
many thousands of Diamonds
in my 40 years as a valuer
and only very few were really,
truly beautiful and memorable.
Even fewer had a certificate
of authenticity. It is most
important that you get this
when purchasing Diamonds
as it is your evidence of
providence and quality.
Without a certificate you could
be purchasing something of
average, poor or even artificial
quality.
Diamonds have been used
throughout the centuries as
gifts, particularly on rings,
bracelets, pendants and other
dazzling jewellery. Diamonds
hold their polish extremely
well and because of their
virtual indestructibility can
be worn on a day to day basis
which is why they are perfect
for the likes of an engagement
ring. The largest known
diamond is actually in space!!
It is 2,500 miles wide and is
believed to be the heart of an
old star, of course, to mount
this onto a ring would be
rather difficult!
Due to the advances in
technology today it is possible
to remove and alter impurities
in Diamonds using both
lasers and radiation. However
this is only a temporary
measure and if you haven't
had your Diamond appraised
and certificated properly by
a Diamond specialist your
Diamond could indeed be
artificially enhanced and
therefore either structurally
damaged by laser or if radiated
the impurities and inclusions
could reappear.
The technique of creating
Diamonds from carbon
compression has now been
perfected, and these stones will
soon be in abundance on the
open market. The quality and
colour of these stones is high,
however, a Diamond specialist
has the skill to identify a
true stone from an artificially
created one. The artificial
diamonds will lack the
uniqueness and individuality
of the natural stones. Every
genuine Diamond is as unique
to a skilled Diamond appraiser
as each star in the sky is to an
astronomer!
I cannot stress strongly
enough that when buying a
diamond, certification is of
vital importance, it is your
guarantee of authenticity
and will give a full ‘Four C’s’
description of your Diamond
and prove its uniqueness.
Designing your own
certificated piece of Diamond
jewellery is very exciting. You
can choose from thousands of
stones to find the one that has
that special sparkle for you!
All certificated Diamonds are
Graded and measured, the
ultimate, of course, is choosing
a gem with pure clarity; on
which there is a huge premium.
The ring, bracelet, earrings,
necklace etc can be
individually designed and
created in a traditional or
modern style so that it is
completely unique and carries
the essence of you!
If you are interested in
aquiring bespoke certificated
Diamond jewellery please do
not hesitate to send me an
e-mail I’m sure I can advise
you on the perfect piece for
you.
email to:
[email protected]
www.wightfrog.com/islandlife