The 24 Most Asked Questions
About Diamonds
gerardmccabe.com.au
About The Author
My name is Gerard McCabe.
Our team takes pride in our commitment to customer service. Finding
the perfect ring can take time and plenty of research, so we are here to
help every step of the way.
We are so pleased to give you our insight on 'The 24 Most Asked
Questions About Diamonds'. We lend you our expert knowledge and
crack down on the myths surrounding this precious stone.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Contents
Chapter 1: What does the term 'carat' mean?
5
Chapter 2: Why does colour matter?
6
Chapter 3: Why does cut matter?
7
Chapter 4: Why does clarity matter?
8
Chapter 5: What does the shape of a diamond refer to?
9
Chapter 6: Is size or quality more important?
10
Chapter 7: What are the benefits of buying a certified diamond?
11
Chapter 8: Are some certifications better than others?
12
Chapter 9: How much should I spend on a diamond engagement
ring?
13
Chapter 10: What is a bespoke diamond ring?
14
Chapter 11: Where do diamonds come from?
15
Chapter 12: Where are diamonds sourced?
16
Chapter 13: Can diamonds come in different colours?
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Contents
Chapter 14: Where do coloured diamonds come from?
18
Chapter 15: What are the advantages of vintage engagement rings?
19
Chapter 16: What is the 'rough' weight of a diamond?
20
Chapter 17: What do brilliance, fire and scintillation mean?
21
Chapter 18: What is fluorescence in a diamond?
22
Chapter 19: How do I care for my diamond?
23
Chapter 20: What are conflict diamonds?
24
Chapter 21: What are synthetic diamonds?
25
Chapter 22: Why are diamonds the most precious stone?
26
Chapter 23: Why are diamond engagement rings so popular?
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Chapter 24: Are diamonds a good investment?
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Contact Us
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 1
What does the
term 'carat' mean?
A carat is a measurement of diamond weight. A metric carat is defined as
200 milligrams, and can be subdivided into 100 points. More often than not,
the price of the diamond will increase with the carat size.
However, the overall price will be a result of the combination of the clarity,
cut, colour and carat weight of the stone.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 2
Why does colour
matter?
The first thing you need to know about diamonds is the colour. Colour is very
important in defining the quality of your diamond. A chemically pure and
structurally pure diamond has no hue. The GIA Colour Grading Scale is the
most widely accepted grading system, though it’s not the only one. Ranging
from D to Z, D colour represents a pure and colourless diamond.
As you progress through the scale towards Z, the diamond becomes less and
less pure.
The colour turning more yellow in nature due to its imperfections. D - F grade
diamonds are classed as colourless, G - J near colourless, K - M faint, and so
on. While the difference between a D and a G may be very small to the
untrained eye, it has a huge effect on the price of the diamond.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 3
Why does cut
matter?
The cut refers to how a diamond is faceted. The quality of the cut is an
important factor in determining the final quality of the diamond. It adds
brilliance and is what determines the amount of sparkle.
All diamonds refract light, but a good cut is essential to bringing out the
true brilliance.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 4
Why does clarity
matter?
Under magnification, diamonds are assessed for clarity and to look for any
flaws.
There are two types of flaws. One is a blemish, which is found on the
surface and the other are inclusions, which are internal flaws. Internal
flaws can be bubbles, cracks or other minerals present in the stone.
Fortunately, flaws are usually undetectable to the human eye, but this
inspection is an important step in determining the overall quality of a
diamond.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 5
What does the
shape of a
diamond refer to?
Many people confuse the terminology between cut and shape. The most standard
of the diamond shapes is round brilliant. This is a popular shape and as the name
suggests, the light return from a round diamond is quite brilliant.
Other shapes are generally referred to as fancy shapes. These can include marquise,
pear, princess, cushion, oval and emerald.
Fancy shape diamonds have grown in popularity in recent years and in particular
pear, cushion and oval shapes are popular choices. All offer beautiful sparkle and
appeal and lend themselves to unique ring designs.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 6
Is size or quality
more important?
People are often confused by what should be more important. Many
people can get hung up on the size of a diamond, thinking that this is what
matters most. In fact, larger sized diamonds can often mean poorer
quality. Unless you are paying top price for a large diamond, you are
sacrificing on quality over size.
Once again, it comes back to a choice of quality over quantity. If your
budget requires you to make a sacrifice, it is better for that to be size over
quality.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 7
What are the
benefits of buying a
certified diamond?
Diamonds can come with certification from the jeweller you are purchasing it
from (such as our Gerard McCabe Diamond certification). There are also
independent diamond certification laboratories that produce reports on
diamonds. Certification provides a record of authenticity for the diamond and
also grades the four C's: cut, colour, clarity and carat. This provides
assurances for you about the diamonds quality.
But bear in mind that not all certification standards are equal.
It is important to research the reputation of the diamond grading laboratory
along with your potential jeweller.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 8
Are some
certifications better
than others?
There are many diamond grading laboratories. They often use the same
grading terminology; however, some certification processes are much
stricter than others.
At Gerard McCabe, we certify all our diamonds and we also offer two
forms of independent certificates on a selection of our diamonds: one
from the GIA, one of the world's leading and most respected diamond
laboratories and secondly Canada Mark Diamond certification which
certifies the known origin of the diamond.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 9
How much should I
spend on a diamond
engagement ring?
There is a lot of conjecture about how much should be spent on a
diamond engagement ring. Old-fashioned rules used to apply that
governed how much a man should spend on his intended. These included
anything from one to three month's salary. These are quite outdated
ideals.
You should spend whatever you feel most comfortable with. Going into
financial stress over an engagement ring is not an ideal start. Always aim
for the highest quality stone you can afford within your bracket. If you
focus on quality instead of price, you can’t go wrong.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 10
What is a bespoke
diamond ring?
By definition, bespoke means specially made to order. Or adapted for a
specific user or purpose. A one off. Unique.
Crafting a bespoke diamond ring will involve sitting down with a designer,
who will be able to hand sketch your design or provide Computer Aid
Design (CAD) renders of your proposed ring design. The process can take
a little longer than selecting a ring from the jewellers designs, and it will
likely cost a little more too. The final piece will be one of a kind. A truly
romantic gesture.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 11
Where do diamonds
come from?
Diamonds were formed from the massive forces under the earth’s crust. That is,
high pressure and temperatures combining to create these beautiful gemstones.
They are made out of carbon and have a crystalline structure. As the forces of the
earth created them, they were pushed up to the surface via volcanic activity,
through what are known as Kimberlite pipes. This is where they were then
discovered and mined by man.
The most wonderful aspect of the diamond creation story is that they can take
billions of years to form. An aeons old piece of the earth, on your hand forever, is
quite a romantic thought.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 12
Where are
diamonds
sourced?
Diamonds are found all around the world, including across the ocean bed.
The majority of diamonds are sourced from Central and Southern Africa,
with other sources including Australia, Brazil, Canada, India and Russia.
Here in Australia we are world famous for our pink diamonds.
At Gerard McCabe we have worked hard to establish clear supply lines for
our diamonds. We work directly with the site holder and and proudly
affirm that all our diamonds come from conflict free mines in Canada,
Russia and Africa. We offer a selection of ‘known origin’ diamonds which
come with a Canada Mark Diamond Card that certifies their origin from
one of two Canadian diamond mines.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 13
Can diamonds
come in different
colours?
Diamonds will form in just about every colour and hue you can imagine.
They are known as coloured diamonds or fancy coloured diamonds and
they are very rare. This rarity makes them highly valued.
Australia produces the highest number of coloured diamonds, including
the famously rare Argyle pink diamonds. Highly desirable and rare colours
include yellow, blue, green, red and orange diamonds.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 14
Where do coloured
diamonds come
from?
The colour is usually caused by the presence of additional trace elements
within the crystal lattice of the diamond. For example, yellow diamonds
have trace elements of nitrogen and blue diamond’s contain boron within
their structure.
Pink diamonds are the world’s greatest mystery. It is believed that the
colour is caused by plastic deformation of the crystal lattice under
extreme pressure, however, the worlds diamond experts don’t necessarily
agree on this one.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 15
What are the
advantages of vintage
engagement rings?
Can't see the appeal in a newly minted engagement ring? Or can't bear the
thought of sharing your design with another? It's time to consider vintage.
Vintage, retro or antique diamond engagement rings are both sentimental,
unique and beautiful.
The appeal of a vintage or antique engagement ring is manifold. For those of
discerning taste and singular values, a vintage engagement ring is an obvious
answer. Usually, women who like vintage or antique style do so because it is
rare, largely individual and few others will be able to replicate it. A strong
desire to stand out from the crowd and to carve their own identity separate
from the masses is a strong signifier in the vintage woman.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 16
What is the 'rough'
weight of a
diamond?
The rough weight of a diamond is the weight of the natural gemstone before
it has been cut and polished. Also referred to as the birth weight of the
diamond. The weight gives an indication of how much of the original diamond
was cut away to achieve the best possible final gemstone.
Diamond cutters use sophisticated technology to analyse the crystals before
they are cut. This helps to determine the best diamond shape and the optimal
size to cut to achieve the best quality gem.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 17
What do brilliance,
fire and scintillation
mean?
The quality of a diamond’s cut causes the light effects of brilliance, fire
and scintillation.
Brilliance refers to the white light reflected up through the table, or top, of
a diamond. Fire refers to the rainbow of coloured light, or dispersed light,
that is reflected from the outer facets on the top of the diamond.
Scintillation is caused by the flickering of light as it bounces around within
the stone.
Each diamond displays varying degrees of brilliance, fire and scintillation
and these qualities determine the individual personality of the gem. This is
why we highly recommend viewing diamonds in person.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 18
What is
fluorescence in a
diamond?
Some diamonds demonstrate fluorescent properties when exposed to
ultraviolet light. This fluorescence can manifest in many varying colours,
blue being most common.
Fluorescence can have the effect of making a yellow diamond appear
whiter or more colourless than it is. A diamond certificate will state if a
diamond has fluorescence.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 19
How do I care for
my diamond?
There are four basic rules that apply to cleaning your diamonds:
1) Handle With Care
Be aware that the oils in your skin or the chemicals in beauty products can
mask the brilliance of your diamond.
2) Clean Regularly
Use a solution of warm water, detergent and a little cloudy ammonia. Next,
leave your diamond to soak. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush and then
rinse with clean water.
3) Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Although diamonds are the hardest natural substance, they can chip.
4) Put Them Away
House your diamonds in a fabric-lined jewellery box or one with dividers.
Avoid mixing diamond jewellery, as diamonds can scratch each other.
A sure fire way to keep your diamond jewellery in peak condition is to pay a
visit to your jewellers. At Gerard McCabe, we are always happy to take a
look at your jewellery. We will check for any potential damage and give
them a professional polish.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 20
What are conflict
diamonds?
The allure and appeal of diamonds is intense. World wide, there is a high
demand and interest in this beautiful gemstone. This means that they can,
unfortunately, be associated with conflict. Otherwise known as blood
diamonds or war diamonds, these stones are unethically sourced and are
illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas particularly in Central and
Western Africa.
At Gerard McCabe, we believe in transparent and ethical trading in our
industry. We follow the guidelines of the Kimberley Process in the selection of
our diamonds. Under this system, all buyers and sellers of both rough and
polished diamonds must make the following affirmative statement on all
invoices:
“The diamonds herein invoiced have been purchased from legitimate sources
not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations
resolutions. The seller hereby guarantees that these diamonds are
conflict-free, based on personal knowledge and /or written guarantees
provided by the supplier of these diamonds.”
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 21
What are
synthetic
diamonds?
It can actually be quite hard to determine the difference between
synthetic and natural diamonds. Indeed, some labs are producing such
flawless stones that it is hard to detect.
As man made diamonds can be created in days, they are generally
cheaper than natural diamonds. These are not to be confused with cubic
zirconia, which although mimics diamond in look, is actually of a different
chemical make up. Natural diamonds tend to have inclusions and flaws.
They are more romantic for all that because they have formed over
billions of years within the earth.
General Electric Co first synthesized diamonds in 1955. Since then the
process has been improved and gem quality stones can now be
produced. World preference overwhelmingly is for naturally occurring
diamonds.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 22
Why are diamonds the
most precious stone?
This is due to a few factors. Firstly, diamond is the strongest and most
durable material known to man. The word diamond comes from Adamas Greek for unbreakable. They also take millions of years to form and the
highest quality diamonds are rare - the majority of mined diamonds are
unsuitable for jewellery.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 23
Why are diamond
engagement rings so
popular?
You can thank Archduke Maximilian of Austria for the love affair with diamond
engagement rings. His betrothed was Mary of Burgundy, heir to the largest
amassed wealth of title and fortune in that era. Her nickname was Mary the Rich.
The Duke decided nothing less than diamonds would do for his fiancee. Which
was only fitting for one of the most fabulously wealthy ladies of the time.
In 1477, Max proposed to Mary with an iconic diamond ring. Set with flat cut
diamonds in the shape of the letter M. A shrewd man then, and a trendsetter as it
turned out. For this was the turning point that meant diamonds were forever
associated with the ideal engagement ring gems.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Chapter 24
Are diamonds a good
investment?
Coloured diamonds can certainly make a good investment. The rarity of pink
diamonds continues to see the price of these gems soar.
Most consumables may not however be considered as a sound financial
investment. The investment when you buy a diamond is in the sentiment that
accompanies it.
As with any financial investment, it is best to seek independent advice from a
trained financial planner.
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The 24 Most Asked Questions About Diamonds
Do You Have More Questions
About Our Diamond Rings?
We are happy to answer!
Get in touch and book an
engagement consultation
with us
Looking for inspiration?
Search through our
collection of engagement
rings
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