Should I Buy Or Invest In Non-enhanced Diamond?

Did you know that all diamonds have flaws? Only the rarest of diamonds are formed naturally without imperfections. That’s why these diamonds are so expensive. Most diamonds have some degree or of imperfections in them. And it’s no wonder when you consider how they were formed.

Diamonds are formed deep inside the depths of the earth under intense heat and tons and tons of pressure. This process would significantly damage or completely obliterate most things, but because a diamond is so hard it holds up under the pressure and heat. Still, the process does leave flaws in the stone.

In the diamond industry, these flaws are called inclusions or blemishes. These inclusions and blemishes impact the clarity of a diamond. A diamond’s clarity is extremely important to its ultimate worth.

What is Clarity?

Clarity refers to the number of imperfections a diamond has; the more imperfections, the poorer clarity it has, and the fewer imperfections, the better clarity it has. The diamond industry uses a grading scale (Or rating) to indicate the clarity of a diamond.

What are clarity enhanced diamonds?

Clarity enhanced diamonds are diamonds that have been manually altered in order to reduce, and even remove entirely, the flaws found within the stone. By doing so, the clarity rating is increases, and the appearance of the diamond is more pleasing to the eye.

How are diamonds clarity enhanced?

One way in which a diamond’s clarity can be enhanced is by a process called laser drilling. This process drills a hole down through the diamond to wear the imperfection is. Acid is then poured into the pathway, down to the imperfection, and removes it from the stone.

Another way diamonds are enhanced is through a process called fracture drilling. This process injects a glass-like substance into the diamond to hide the imperfection. This process is very hard to detect.

So, should you buy or invest in non-enhanced diamonds?

Well that’s entirely up to you. You may not think so, but clarity enhanced diamonds can be extremely expensive. You could even significantly increase the value of a diamond you currently own by having it clarity enhanced; here’s how.

Let’s say you have loose diamonds that are valued at $1,000.00, and they have imperfections. The value placed on the diamonds is based on the imperfections they have. If you were to have the imperfections removed the diamonds would have a much better clarity rating (Because the imperfections are now gone) which in turn will increase their value.

Clarity enhanced diamonds are just as valuable, and more often than not, more valuable than diamonds that have been left in their natural state of being. Investing in either is a wise choice, but because the value of a diamond is normally increases once it’s been clarity enhanced, you may want to invest more in these diamonds.

Diamond rings are one of the most popular choices in diamond jewelry. There are hundreds of settings and designs to choose from, and the size and color of diamonds are practically endless. Consumers can also choose to buy pre-made diamond rings or create their own.

Pre-made diamonds rings are stylish, elegant and there is a huge selection to choose from. The benefits of purchasing a pre-made diamond ring are that you can purchase the ring as soon as you find the one you want. There’s usually no waiting period, and availability is almost always a certainty.

Creating your own diamond ring also has some advantages; the most obvious one is that you can create the ring to look exactly the way you want it to. You can choose and design the setting, you can choose what type of metal you want it to be constructed of, and you can search around to find the perfect stone.

Of course, the best advantage to creating your own diamond ring is that it is a one of a kind master piece, and there is no comparing the joy the receiver will experience when you tell them that you created it yourself. There’s really only one drawback to creating your own diamond ring; the waiting period.

If you decide to create your diamonds ring, you’ll have to wait for the jeweler to make it. This could involve a few weeks or even a few months. If you’ve chosen a jeweler to make your diamond ring, or have narrowed the search down to a select few, ask how long it will take for your ring to be completed. That may help you decide which way you want to go.

The other difference between a pre-made ring and a custom-made one is the way the setting is created. Pre-made rings are casted; meaning the metal used to make it has been put in a cast to be molded. Some people believe this lessens the integrity of the setting making it more susceptible to damage. A custom-made diamond ring setting is considered a much sturdier and longer-lasting setting.

As you’ve probably come to see, there’s really no right or wrong answer to this question. Deciding whether you should purchase a pre-made diamond ring or create your own is really a personal choice. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of both and then decide for yourself.

Whether you’re looking for diamonds engagement rings, friendship rings, or some other type of specialty ring, you certainly have more than one option. Take a look at both options, see what’s out there, and then decide which option will best fit your needs. No matter which method you choose, as long as you’re happy with the final result, you’ve done well.

Whether you’re setting out to purchase an engagement ring or you want to purchase loose diamonds, don’t overlook enhanced diamonds as a viable option. Enhanced diamonds can be just as valuable, if not more in some instances, than loose diamonds that haven’t been enhanced in any way. Here’s a complete guide to enhanced diamonds.

What are enhanced diamonds?

Pear Diamond

There is a misconception out there that diamonds that are enhanced aren’t real diamonds. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Enhanced diamonds are real diamonds that come from the earth, like all other diamonds. They are not manufactured in a laboratory, and they can be just as valuable as diamonds that haven’t been enhanced in any way.

Loose diamonds can be enhanced in a number of ways. They can be laser drilled, fracture filled, or they can undergo a process called color irradiation and color annealing treatments. Within the diamond community, all of these processes are accepted forms of altering the diamond’s natural state of being.

Why enhance a diamond?

The purpose of enhancing a diamond is to bring its appearance closer to an imperfection-free state. While an imperfection-free diamond is an extremely rare find, many diamonds have a very small and limited number of imperfections. Because a diamond with fewer imperfections is more valuable than one with more imperfections, enhancing them to remove imperfections increases their value.

Fracture drilling

Fracture drilling is a process that injects a glass-like substance into a diamond in an attempt to hide natural imperfections that exist within it. The process enhances the clarity of a diamond, and is extremely hard to detect.

Laser drilling

As the name of the process implies, laser drilling involves using a laser to create a thin pathway inside a diamond. Acid is then injected into the pathway where it travels along it to an imperfection within the diamond. The acid bleaches the imperfection out of the gem, therefore enhancing its clarity.

Color irradiation

This process of enhancing loose diamonds is done by exposing them to high levels of ionizing radiation. The process changes the atomic structure of the gem, which in turn, alters the gem’s color. This process can also create a color that isn’t naturally found in diamonds or enhance a natural color rarely found in a natural diamond.

Annealing

Also referred to as HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature Treatment), annealing involves manually replicating the natural environment diamonds are formed in, in nature; high pressure, and high temperature. The process also alters the color of a diamond.

There is some controversy surrounding the HPHT method of altering a gem’s natural color, but the GIA (Gemological Institution of America) grading reports clearly indicate when this treatment has been performed on a diamond, and the Federal Trade Commission requires that the process of HPHT be disclosed to consumers.

It’s up to you whether you purchase loose diamonds that have been enhanced. Just remember that in almost every instance, the value of the diamond is also enhanced.

It seems that with each passing year, Hollywood’s red carpet is graced with bigger and more brilliant diamonds that come in all shapes, carats and colors. From unique necklaces and earrings to the elaborate diamond engagement rings, celebrities are truly a walking billboard for great jewelry designers. From Arndt and Cavalli to Lane and Swartz, the top designers of the world are represented each season.

Whether you’re a big fan of the celebrity world, or you’re a novice who checks in once in awhile, you can’t help but notice that one thing that goes hand-in-hand with stardom is “Bling”. When celebs are primping up for their big night on the red carpet their outfits always revolve around the diamond bling they wear. So what are the newest diamonds finding their way onto the red carpet? Let’s take a look.

Can you say “B-B-B-Bling?” That’s what you’d be stuttering and muttering if you had the change to wear the 381-carat necklace draped around Carrie Underwoods slender neck as she made her way down the red carpet at the 2013 Grammy awards.

This breath-taking necklace designed by Johnathon Arndt is made up a beautiful arrangement of oval, marquise, pear and round-cut diamonds. Coupled with her eloquent Robert Cavalli designer dress and her loosely-curled blonde hair, this necklace was the star of the red carpet. Oh, just so you know, this eye-popping piece of diamond jewelry is valued at a staggering $31 million dollars!

Now that we’ve got the heavy-hitter out of the way, let’s take a look at some other Bling that’s recently made its way to the red carpet; if your head has stopped spinning, that it!

Also seen on the red carpet that same night was Rhianna, who was bathed in $2 million dollars of brilliant diamonds including a stunning 100-carat diamond and platinum serpentine bracelet by Neal Lane, as well as a 30-carat diamond and platinum drop earrings by the same designer, and Jennifer Lopez who sported 2 white diamond bangles offset by a 33-carat canary diamond bracelet by famous designer Norman Silverman, with a price tag of $5 million dollars combined.

The 18^th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards saw Amanda Seyfried coming down the red carpet with a beautiful jade and diamond pendant necklace by Lorraine Schwartz dangling perfectly from an opera-length chain. Her platinum and diamond stud earrings didn’t go unnoticed either.

Viola Davis made her way along the red carpet wearing two of Cathy Waterman designs including an eye-catching pair of coral and diamonds dangly earrings, and a striking turquoise and diamond cuff.

Yes, where ever there are celebrities there will certainly also be diamonds. Diamond rings, diamond necklaces, diamond cuffs and bracelets, and earrings. And, diamonds of all colors, shapes, and cuts in exquisite and unique settings.

If you’ve found “The One” and you’re getting ready to propose, it’s time to start looking at diamond engagement rings. It may seem like an overwhelming endeavor; after all, you’ve got to choose the perfect ring for the perfect girl. Purchasing engagement rings, however, isn’t as hard or scary as it looks. Here’s a guide to buying diamond engagement rings that will help you find that perfect engagement ring.

What’s your budget?

It’s important to set a limit on the amount of money you want to spend. Will you have a moderate budget to work with or is the sky the limit? It’s up to you to decide if you want to stick to something like the traditional solitare stone set elegantly atop a simple gold band or go all out like Nick Cannon did when he purchased that stunning 17-carat, emerald cut, pink diamond engagement ring for the love of his life, Mariah Carey.

What’s most important to you?

Do you want something that has an excellent clarity rating; which means there are very limited flaws in the stone? Is the size more important than anything else? Do you want to shop for princess cut diamond engagement rings, marquise cuts or maybe emerald cut diamond engagement rings? And because cut doesn’t just refer to the shape of the stone, you’ll need to decide if the quality of the cut is just as important.

A good quality cut diamond will reflect the light entering it through the top surface, down into the stone and then back up and out the top surface again. A poorer quality cut will allow some of that brilliant light to escape out of the side surfaces of the stone.

Where should you purchase your engagement ring?

Unlike years ago when people only had the option to purchase engagement rings from traditional brick and mortar stores, consumers today have more options for purchasing diamonds. A USA online engagement ring seller may be your best choice in places to find that perfect engagement ring.

You can find thousands of unique designs, and your online shopping experience is always safe and secure. You can also choose from a number of payment plans and all the diamonds are certified. You may not have a budget large enough to have a ring such as the 18-carat flawless diamond Jay-Z had designed by Lorraine Schwartz for Beyonce, but you can definitely find something that’s unique; just like your soul mate.

Use the 5 C’s as your guide

The five C’s refer to:

Cut – the shape and quality of a stone which we already mentioned above.

Color – the depth of color or lack thereof. For white diamonds, the less color the more expensive. For colored diamonds, the more color the more expensive.

Certification – means the stone(s) have been officially certified by a reputable independent diamond laboratory.

Carat – refers to the number of points a diamond is accessed relative to its weight. Every 100 points equals 1 carat. So a diamond accessed with 250 points is a 2.5 carat diamond.

Clarity – refers to the number of flaws that are present in the stone.

Remember, there are millions of diamond engagement rings to choose from, but only one has your soul mate’s name written on it. Take your time, be confident, and you are sure to find it.