Colour - the CIBJO colour scale

These tables are part of the CIBJO rules and are based on
the master stones officially recognised on 27th April 1978.
For comparison the G.I.A. terms are also shown

Under 0.47ct 0.47ct and over G.I.A
Exceptional
White Exceptional White +
Exceptional White D
E
Rare White
Rare White +
Rare White F
G
White White H
Slightly Tinted White Slightly Tinted White I
Slightly Tinted White J I
J
Tinted White Tinted White K
Tinted White L K
L
Tinted Colour Tinted Colour M
Z
Fancy Diamond Fancy Diamond Fancy

Cuteable, diamonds and husbands

a little mention in Cuteable, A daily blog with posts on cute apparel, jewelry, toys, home decor and more!

more about diamonds

Diamond is the ultimate gemstone in several ways:

Hardness: Diamond is a perfect "10", simply the hardest substance known by a wide margin. Nothing can scratch a diamond other than another diamond. And a diamond can scratch anything, even a sapphire.
Clarity: Pure diamond is completely colorless and transparent over a larger range of wavelengths (from the ultraviolet into the far infrared) than is any other solid or liquid substance - nothing else even comes close.
Thermal Conductivity: Diamond conducts heat better than anything - five times better than the second best element, Silver! This characteristic is the basis for "diamond tests", as it is simple and cannot be faked.
Refraction: Diamond has a relatively high index of refraction (ability to bend light), which gives it the high luster called adamantine.
Dispersion: Diamond has a relatively high optical dispersion which gives diamond the "fire" that makes it so desirable.
Diamonds may be nearly any color in the rainbow plus browns, grays, and white. Shades of yellow are most common, followed by colorless. Blue, black, reddish, and greenish are more valuable (some extremely so).

Diamonds are found in a type of rock called "Kimberlite", which comprises the core of certain volcanoes over especially thick portions of the earth's crust. This hard stone is mined and then crushed between giant steel rollers. The kimberlite is reduced to fine gravel, yet the extremely hard diamonds come out unharmed! Water is added and a grease covered roller sorts the diamonds from the gravel, as the diamonds stick to the grease. Typically, a single carat of diamond is recovered from a ton of rich ore.

Diamonds are found in many areas including South Africa, Russia, and even in Arkansas in the USA. In all cases, diamonds formed deep within the earth's mantle, and were brought to the surface in volcanic eruptions. In many cases, the diamonds weathered out of the kimberlite by natural processes, and were transported downstream by water. Many diamonds are mined in the resulting alluvial deposits in areas such as along the coast of South Africa.

diamonds - origins

Diamonds have been revered throughout history. Used to embellish such items as crowns, swords and emblems as well as jewelry, they've even been part of national holidays. Queen Victoria declared the celebration of her 50th year of reign a "Diamond Jubilee." Diamonds have also been credited for having certain medicinal properties. During the middle ages, these gemstones were thought to heal illness, but only if the ailing person took the Diamond into bed to warm it up first!

Formed deep within the earth where there is intense heat and pressure, Diamonds are simply crystallized carbon. Volcanic activity of centuries ago brought these gemstones to the earth's surface, where they are found either within volcanic rock formations or washed out into rivers. India is thought to be the first river-bed source of Diamond mining, but today these gemstones are found primarily in Australia, the Soviet Union, and Africa.

No more notable it its uncut state than a plain pebble upon the beach, the true beauty of the Diamond was not revealed until the 16th century, when gemstone cutting and polishing techniques were perfected. Prior to this time, it was considered taboo to modify the original state of a Diamond. Today, the value and appeal of this stone depends largely upon how skillfully it is cut and faceted.

A gift of a Diamond is symbolic of everlasting love. There is no more convincing a promise of an enduring relationship than the brilliant gemstone that has endured in people's hearts throughout the ages.

April Birthstone Diamond

Monthly birthstones symbolize the month of birth according to the Gregorian Calendar.

The ancient Hindus called the Diamond "Vajra," meaning lightening, both because of the sparks of light thrown off by this gem as well as its invincible strength. The Diamond is harder than any other substance on earth.

The April birthstone of the Diamond is considered to be the birthstone for Aries (The sign of the Ram) and relate to those born between March 21 - April 19. The Zodiac sign of Aries also responds to Bloodstone, Topaz, Sapphire, Jasper, and Aquamarine

In the press - Holts Academy of Jewellery

I signed up for a newsletter with Holts Academy of Jewellery, of which I have been a student.What a good surprise this morning as I opened my mail and saw this loveley feature.

I am just very pleased and delighted and would like to thank Holts Academy of Jewellery for featuring my 3 gold rings with diamonds.

Channel settings

hard work...
One whole day for these 2 rings but well worth it and lots of fun

Domino Ring - Week 34

Smoldering Embers / From Fire to Ashes

From Fire to Ashes... An 18K Yellow gold ring with black and white diamonds. Black diamonds for the ashes, and white Sparkles for the Fire