Introducing
the IQ Diamond®:
Kind not Mined Jewellery
Debunking the mythology surrounding
diamonds and helping you choose jewellery
that you’ll treasure forever
Jason and Elaine Foreman
Introducing
the IQ Diamond®:
Kind not Mined Jewellery
Debunking the mythology surrounding
diamonds and helping you choose jewellery
that you’ll treasure forever
Jason and Elaine Foreman
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................ 3
The anatomy of a diamond..................................................................................... 7
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”. ................................................................................ 11
The diamond mythology....................................................................................... 22
Diamond Mining and the Environment........................................................... 40
Copyright©2012 Jason and Elaine Foreman
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise without the prior permission of the author(s).
Edited by Tom Stevenson.
What is a blood diamond?. ................................................................................... 53
Environmental Concerns about Canadian Diamonds. ................................ 61
How the IQ Diamond® benefits the environment.. ........................................ 66
The perfect setting. .................................................................................................. 69
Choice for the IQ Diamond®. ............................................................................... 69
Conclusion. . ............................................................................................................... 77
About KinetIQue: Kind Not Mined Jewellery................................................ 81
Introduction
Introduction
D
iamonds possess a unique kind of mystique. As the famous
advertising slogan says, “A Diamond is Forever”. Diamond
jewellery is gifted to us at the most significant moments of
our lives and is often passed on to future generations of our
families.
But this mystique comes at a price, as there are a great number
of misconceptions about diamonds and the diamond industry.
Consumers are increasingly concerned about the effect their
purchases have around the world, and are looking to ensure
that any money that they spend is encouraging just and fair
trade, together with awareness for environmental damage
through the products that they buy.
We believe that the time is particularly right for a socially
responsible diamond alternative company.
That’s why we wrote this book. In the pages that follow, you’ll
learn exactly why diamonds cost what they do, the reality
of where they come from, and (most importantly) the most
stunning and closest alternative currently available on the
market to mined diamonds – the IQ Diamond®.
6
Introduction
This isn’t intended to encourage you to forsake beautiful
jewellery in favour of cheap-looking fakes – quite the opposite!
As you will see, technology has improved to the extent that
hybrid diamonds – manmade stones based on the process
that creates natural diamonds – are virtually indistinguishable
from the ‘real thing’ and in many cases offer a level of brilliance
that regular diamonds, bought for the same price, are unable
to match.
Perhaps you’re looking for the perfect engagement ring…
Perhaps you’re looking for some jewels to wear as an alternative
to your family’s treasured heirlooms… Perhaps you’d just like
to give yourself a special treat! Whatever the reason you’re
shopping for diamonds, the pages that follow will equip you
with all the knowledge you need to choose jewellery that
looks stunning, has been created through ethical means and
will last a lifetime.
Jason and Elaine Foreman
KinetIQue Jewellery
7
The anatomy of a diamond
The anatomy of a diamond
The anatomy of a diamond
sk yourself this – “What is a diamond?” Despite the fact
that we’re willing to invest so much money in them, most
of us would struggle to answer this question.
atoms and molecules. Another form of pure carbon is graphite,
but its atoms are held together in sheets rather than rigidly
attached in a crystal, so the carbon sloughs off easily, such as
at the tip of a pencil.
A
Diamond is a form of carbon, with the atoms bound together in
a face-centred cubic lattice structure also known as tetrahedral
SP3 bonding that gives diamond its strength and special
optical properties.
This unique structure is created through very specific conditions.
Carbon-bearing materials must be exposed to high pressure,
typically between 45 and 60 kilobars (4.5 and 6 GPa), at a
temperature range of around 900–1300°C (1652–2372°F). These
conditions occur naturally in two different ways. First of all, in
the lithospheric mantle, below relatively stable continental
plates. Second, at the sites of meteor strikes. While the second
is rather rare, the first one occurs in many places throughout
the world, so diamonds are in plentiful supply (although most
people remain unaware of this, as we’ll see later in this book).
So, diamond is simply a crystalline form of pure carbon, just as
a ‘stick of rock’ candy is crystallised sugar – an ordered array of
10
Despite the uniqueness of their structure, diamonds are not
really significantly different to other forms of carbon, such as
graphite (which is actually more stable than diamond!). Indeed,
diamonds will actually convert back to graphite over a very
long period of time.
Although diamond is technically the hardest naturally occurring
mineral, its actual toughness is only fair at best and it possesses
a cleavage plane that allows it to be cut. This is important as
rough diamonds require skilful cutting before they can be
used as jewellery. This process reduces the diamond’s size by as
much as 50%, but is responsible for the much-coveted sparkle
that all great diamonds possess. The diamond is carefully cut
using specialist tools and then polished to minimise any flaws
while allowing more light to pass through it.
11
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
he IQ Diamond® is also known as a Hybrid Diamond. It’s
not a fake, but it’s not a naturally occurring diamond either.
Rather than being grown naturally in the Earth’s mantle and
mined, it is manmade – with a layer of pure diamond grown
around a high-tech ceramic core, with an almost identical
refractive index to diamond. The different shapes of the IQ
Diamond® have the finest cuts available and all of their facets
are perfectly proportioned. This is why the IQ Diamond®
looks as good as the finest diamonds available and why
no-one can visually tell the difference between them. It is
also naturally coloured, unlike many other artificially-grown
stones, such as Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite (which we’ll
discuss in detail later).
of the IQ Diamond®, (the scale of 1-10 used to determine the
hardness and scratch resistance of gemstones, 10 being the
hardest).
T
As a result, the IQ Diamond® is visually identical to a highest
quality mined diamond.
Expert Gemologists have been genuinely astonished at how the
IQ Diamond® “draws the fire” in just the same way a superlative
mined diamond does. Even with their expert eyes, there is no
way to tell the difference between the two.
The IQ Diamond®’s surface is composed of carbon atoms, bound
together in a tetrahedral lattice structure. This tetrahedral
arrangement of carbon atoms called SP3 Bonding is identical
to natural diamond and it’s this distinctive structure – referred
to as a face-centred cubic lattice – that gives the diamond its
unique optical and physical properties. For example, diamond’s
hardness is rated at 10 on the Mohs scale, as is the outer layer
The Evans Analytical Group – the world’s top materials
characterisation and surface analysis lab – confirmed this in
a series of intensive tests using state-of-the-art equipment.
They discovered that the IQ Diamond®’s surface did indeed
display all the properties of a mined diamond and would
always test positive for diamond. They also carried out Raman
Spectroscopic analysis, which produced the characteristic
Raman Shift Spike for diamond at 1,332cm-1 (see below). The
only thing that would confirm it isn’t a naturally grown diamond
is its limited conductivity – the result of copper and titanium
14
15
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
implanted during its creation for ethical reasons (as per the
GIA requirements), to ensure no-one can attempt to pass it
off as the ‘real thing’ or misvalue it.
Not only does it look great, it’ll stay that way. Many of the fake
diamonds we buy are actually made of a porous crystal that
will absorb oil and dirt throughout the day, eventually losing
their lustre and developing a milky-looking surface. They also
don’t score highly on the Mohs scale, and will scratch, tarnish
and dull easily. The IQ Diamond®, on the other hand, will last
a lifetime, just as a mined diamond would.
Intensity (a.u.)
1332
3-rd order
of Si
sp2
F4
sp2
Ozon (30 nm)
1326
DOS
1200
1400
1600
Raman shift (cm-1)
Mined Diamond (upper) IQ Diamond® (lower) both showing a spike
at 1,332cm-1 indicating the presence of the SP3 diamond bonds.
16
“But aren’t there already plenty of diamond
alternatives available?”
It’s true that there are already several stones available that are
used as a less expensive substitute for diamonds, but they
simply can’t compare to the real thing.
These substitutes are often referred to as diamond simulants,
diamond veneer, amorphous diamond and other branded
names. There is generally a lot of fogginess around the
‘diamond simulant/alternative’ market, which has led to a
great deal of confusion for people seeking an alternative to
mined diamonds.
17
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
For example, Diamond-Like Carbon (or DLC), as the name
implies, is a blend of differing forms of crystallised carbons that
possesses some of the valuable properties of diamond. The
‘diamond-like’ coating – referred to as ‘amorphous carbon’ – is
a blend of different forms of carbon, from diamond to graphite.
When a stone is coated with amorphous carbon, the coating
must be exceedingly thin as to be essentially non-existent;
otherwise, the stone would be discoloured, leaving it with a
grey look.
soft and porous stone, so it will start looking old and worn
out very quickly, no matter how attractive it looked when
you bought it.
DLC is commonly used in products such as razors and cutting
tools rather than jewellery and has been around for many
years. To be clear, most of these stones are not marketed as
DLC but marketed as something less accurate, so as to not
give too much away.
Cubic Zirconia – a cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide –
is another diamond alternative that is widely used by jewellers.
In many ways it is ideal for use in jewellery. It is very durable,
relatively inexpensive and optically flawless – not unlike a
high-quality diamond. However, it often has a fake and glassy
look as a result of its subtle bluish tint. Furthermore, it is a very
18
Another common diamond alternative is Moissanite – silicon
carbide. This is a naturally-occurring compound that is actually
rarer than real diamonds! It was originally discovered in a
meteor crater in 1893 and initially mistaken for a diamond.
Nowadays they are usually created using a similar process
to the synthetic diamonds that are cultivated in laboratories
(more on those later).
In terms of colour, clarity and hardness, it is very close to a real
diamond, scoring I-K for colour, VS for clarity and 9.25 on the
Mohs scale, placing it second to diamond in terms of hardness.
Unfortunately, Moissanite displays a slight yellow-green or
greyish tint and often appears ‘fuzzy’ due to double refraction,
even if they’ve been specially cut to minimise this. This rather
spoils the effect, despite their many positive qualities.
19
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
“But are diamonds really that valuable?”
You’re probably wondering why something visually and
functionally identical to a natural diamond can be sold for
so much less. The common answer to this question is that
natural diamonds are extremely scarce, hence the high prices
they command. But if scarcity is such an important part of
the diamond’s appeal, then why on earth are stones such as
rubies and sapphires (which are actually significantly scarcer
than diamonds) not considered more desirable?
Diamonds are undoubtedly objects of great beauty, but what is
it about them that really justifies the huge amounts of money
we pay for them (even for mediocre ones)? Put simply, very
little…
The perceived rarity of diamonds is in fact a fallacy, brought
about through clever marketing. Although it’s true that
diamonds were extremely rare for a number of centuries,
to the extent that even monarchs struggled to obtain them,
this all changed in 1871, when a small diamond was found
near the home of the De Beer brothers in Vooruizicht, South
20
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
Africa (later renamed Kimberley). It wasn’t long before more
diamonds were found, and a ‘tent town’ sprang up as diggers
sought to take advantage of the area that was eventually
dubbed ‘New Rush’.
It was the arrival of Cecil B. Rhodes in 1874 that initiated the
birth of the diamond industry as we know it today. Rhodes
was an Oxford student who had been sent to South Africa by
his father in an attempt to expose him to a healthier climate.
After an unsuccessful attempt at farming, his foray into digging
made him financially independent at the young age of 19. By
1880, Rhodes had established a company to manage the large
number of mines he had acquired, as well as buying out the
De Beers brothers’ claim in the area, leading to the creation
of De Beers Consolidated Mines. Despite having started the
diamond rush, the brothers would have no further involvement
in the company that bore their name.
As it was, large-scale mining was impossible at that time and
small claimholders were soon forced to band together, renting
out equipment together and co-operating in the steadily
expanding operation. Throughout the next 43 years, the so-
21
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
called ‘Big Hole’ got bigger and bigger, to the extent that it is
now 463 metres wide and 215 metres deep. Once overground
operations became too dangerous, the diggers switched to
underground mining at a depth of 1,097 metres. This was the
birth of modern strip mining in the diamond industry.
They’ve even placed a ban on trading in diamonds, as this
would require them to create an extra degree of transparency,
leading to their value being significantly reduced, to the extent
it would lead to the collapse of the diamond industry.
http://www.cartoonstock.com
Rhodes consolidated his position by purchasing any diamond
deposits owned by his rivals and taking control of all distribution
channels through The Diamond Syndicate – a London-based
coalition of merchants who shared his goal of high prices
and perceived scarcity when it came to their products. The
Syndicate agreed to regulate the supply of exported diamonds
by making regular purchases of a fixed number of diamonds at
a fixed price – an arrangement that has continued to this day.
Ten times a year, 160 select distributors (referred to as ‘sight
holders’) purchase boxes – literally a shoebox full of rough
diamonds from the De Beers company (now based in
Luxembourg), with no haggling allowed and no opportunity
to re-sell the rough diamonds. As a result of this arrangement,
the company controls between 60 and 75% of the world’s
diamond trade; free to sell them for whatever price they choose.
Marketing has played a major part in the continued success
of this arrangement (think back to the “A Diamond Is Forever”
slogan we mentioned at the very beginning of this book).
Indeed, during the 1930’s, De Beers made a concerted effort to
get diamond rings on the fingers of every Hollywood starlet!
22
23
“What is an IQ Diamond®?”
Many of their adverts would go on to run for decades and
firmly cement the idea of diamonds being a rare commodity;
one that evokes feelings of romance and glamour in the
public’s mind.
http://www.cartoonstock.com
As a result of this, most people are happy to accept the high
mark-up on diamonds as they genuinely believe they are a
scarcer commodity than other gemstones.
24
The diamond mythology
The diamond mythology
S
‹‹
‹‹
ome of the deliberately-created myths surrounding
diamonds include…
They are particularly difficult to mine. They are in fact
no more difficult to mine than any other gemstone.
Technology has dramatically reduced the amount of hard
manual labour involved, so there are very few specialist
skills involved in their extraction. Interestingly, diamonds
are now being dredged en masse from the seabed along
the Namibian coastline in South Africa.
They are unbreakable. Although they are the hardest
naturally occurring substance, they are very brittle and can
break easily on four different planes. Furthermore, they
are not physically difficult to cut (although the process
does require a high degree of skill). While diamond may
be the hardest naturally occurring substance, there are
manmade materials that are harder, and also easy to
come by.
28
The diamond mythology
‹‹
‹‹
They are extremely rare. Nonsense! Not only are diamonds
in plentiful supply in numerous different parts of the world,
there are warehouses full of them waiting to be sold. The
perceived rarity is only due to a conscious decision to
restrict the market supply, playing on diamonds’ scarcity
several hundred years ago.
Diamonds make a good investment. Many people
purchase diamonds on the assumption that they are a
sound investment that will pay off in the future. However,
as a result of clever pricing tactics, this is far from the case.
There are warehouses in multiple countries “filled to the
brim” with diamonds, but only a limited amount are sold
each a year, to purposefully drive the price up and make
more money. Unless you have a really special “one of a
kind” stone, worth millions, then they are definitely not a
good investment.
29
The diamond mythology
http://www.cartoonstock.com
The diamond mythology
The huge mark-up on diamonds can make reselling them
extremely difficult, as jewellers are reluctant to offer a price
that they know the customer would find insulting and alert
them to fact that the high price they paid for their diamond
30
does not reflect its actual worth. Furthermore, many
jewellers receive their stock on consignment from
wholesalers, who will not require them to pay until the
jewellery is actually sold and so will be reluctant to risk their
own cash by buying used diamonds. As a result of this,
many people seeking to sell their jewellery find themselves
being bounced between different firms until they grow so
frustrated with the process that they either keep the
jewellery or reluctantly accept a price that’s significantly
lower than what they were expecting.
Did you realise that as soon as you have bought a diamond,
it is worth up to 70% less? Imagine you’ve just bought a
diamond for £5,000 – as soon as you have taken it out of the
shop its worth has fallen to £2,000 or less. This is because of
the tremendous mark-up made on each stone and the fact
that diamonds aren’t nearly as rare as we have been led to
believe. In addition, the jeweller has no incentive to buy back
your diamond if they are supplied with their diamonds on a
consignment basis. In black and white terms, ordinary mined
diamonds have absolutely no investment value whatsoever.
31
The diamond mythology
The diamond mythology
The valuation you receive is for insurance purposes only.
serious alternative that sells for a price that reflects its true
market value.
http://www.cartoonstock.com
The Four Cs – the key elements of an
incredible diamond
There’s no doubt that a finely-cut diamond is an object of
exquisite beauty, but that does not justify the vastly inflated
prices they are sold for. Remember, it’s the memories we
attach to our jewellery that gives it its special significance, not
what we originally paid for it. When you eventually pass your
engagement ring onto your children, for instance, they won’t
want to know what you originally paid for it – they’ll just see
it as a beautiful family heirloom. Consider this when you next
go shopping for jewellery, as the IQ Diamond® represents a
32
There are four elements that make for a great diamond, whether
it’s mined or not. We call them ‘The Four Cs’…
The Cut
Any diamond must be skilfully cut if it is to reflect and refract
light in the way we expect it to. The better the quality of the
cut, the more of that much-treasured sparkle and brilliance the
diamond will possess. The cut is the absolute most important
part of any diamond because that is what determines how
much light comes back at you from the stone. It can also
compensate for lower grades in clarity and colour, allowing
the diamond to still have a good degree of sparkle.
The quality of a diamond’s cut is rated according to the following
scale…
33
The diamond mythology
Ideal/Excellent – Hearts
and Arrows
The greatest possible level of brilliance. All light
that passes through the diamond is reflected,
leading to stunning, sparkling effect.
Very Good
Not as well cut – perhaps the facets are very
slightly non-uniform. Light is reflected back but
the diamond appears less brilliant than an Ideal
Cut and they are priced slightly lower.
Good (as advertised)
The cut is usually much less perfect than an
Ideal Cut diamond. There is usually a very broad
range of cut quality that is advertised as Good
and the brilliance tends to be mediocre. This is
due to light escaping from the facets giving the
diamonds less fire and sparkle.
Fair and Poor
The cut quality is below average leading to a
significant amount of light escaping from its
facets. This gives the diamond a very dull, lifeless
appearance with very little sparkle. You will most
likely never see this grading in a jeweller’s shop.
You may have noticed that the cut quality listed as “Good”
will appear on many of the average cut diamonds available.
The names of these grades are somewhat misleading – after
all, poorly cut diamonds would not sell if their cut was more
transparently advertised as “Poor/Fair”. This is just a little
marketing on the part of the diamond industry. Although
34
The diamond mythology
the cut is “Good” – as advertised – the truth is that these will
not be well cut diamonds.
The absolute finest cut is the Hearts and Arrows Ideal Cut
diamond, which accounts for around 2% of the naturally mined
diamonds in the world. Even compared to the exceptional
beauty of an Ideal Cut Standard diamond, the level of polish
and shine is truly breathtaking. Unsurprisingly, these diamonds
retail for an incredible amount of money.
The IQ Diamond® is Ideal Cut by hand with Hearts and
Arrows Symmetry.
35
The diamond mythology
The IQ Diamond® with the Hearts and Arrows:
The diamond mythology
When we’re talking about clarity in a diamond, we mean the
absence of inclusions – naturally occurring flaws, blemishes and
birthmarks. No diamonds are completely without inclusions,
but those with few to no visible flaws receive high clarity grades.
The clarity of a diamond is graded according to the following
scale from The Geological Institute of America (GIA)…
Hearts and Arrows are cut to Ideal proportions, with superior
optical symmetry and a specific faceting pattern. This results in a
repeatable, near perfect pattern of eight symmetrical arrows in
the face up position and eight symmetrical hearts when viewed
in the table down position.
The Clarity
The clarity of a diamond is a major factor in determining its
worth, as well as its brilliance.
36
Flawless (FL)
No inclusions of blemishes visible up to 10x
magnification.
Internally Flawless
(IF)
As above, but some small blemishes on the diamond’s
surface which might be removed with careful polishing
of the stone’s surface.
Very, Very Slightly
Included (VVS)
Some small inclusions that a skilled grader will struggle
to spot under 10x magnification. Subdivided into VVS1
and VVS2.
Very Slightly
Included (VS)
Minor inclusions that are easier to spot by a skilled
grader when using 10x magnification. Such inclusions
will not usually be visible to the naked eye. Subdivided
into VS1 and VS2 grades.
Slightly Included
(SI)
The inclusions are very easy for a trained grader to
spot using 10x magnification. Such inclusions are more
likely to be visible without the need for magnification.
Subdivided into SI1 and SI2 grades.
Included (I)
The inclusions are visible without magnification and
may threaten the structural integrity of the diamond,
causing it to break. Subdivided into I1, I2 and I3 grades.
37
The diamond mythology
Clarity Enhancement. Something to be wary of…
A word of warning about these types of diamonds, gained
from our own experience. Clarity-enhanced diamonds are
mined diamonds which are flawed, sometimes quite heavily
so, meaning, they are of the poorest quality. Consequently
they seem to be great value, since they are sold for much less
in relation to other diamonds of the same size.
This should set alarm bells ringing since they are not what they
seem… Clarity enhancement is a process where flaws (internal
imperfections) are artificially filled with silicone. The filler is
optically neutral and very hard to spot, even when magnified.
A clarity-enhanced diamond could start off with a clarity rating
of an I3, i.e. a very poor quality stone, with a large number
of inclusions, but by filling these fractures with silicone, the
38
The diamond mythology
clarity is enhanced to make it look more like a VS1/VS2. That is,
a diamond of much higher apparent value, appearing much
clearer than it actually is. The flaws are still present but are not
visible. It is a “fairly worthless” stone, marketed and sold as if it
possesses greater value. Should a clarity-enhanced stone be
knocked, it could cleave (split into two), depending on where
the fracture plane is and its length.
Exposed to heat, the silicone filler turns milky. Any repair
requiring the use of a gas blowtorch will leave your clarityenhanced diamond with very obvious large milky spots on the
inside. This happened to us in our younger years with a clarityenhanced diamond that was not declared as such. Needless
to say, it was quite a shock to us, as well as the jeweller, when
the ring came back following a repair; the diamond had milk
bubbles in it!
Jewellers selling clarity-enhanced diamonds should advertise
them as such, since they are selling a very sub-standard stone
that appears to be of higher value. They also should advise of
the risks of purchasing them.
39
The diamond mythology
The diamond mythology
Unfortunately, jewellers selling clarity-enhanced diamonds
rarely point out the potential issues that surround these types
of stones. Instead they will focus on their perceived benefits,
avoiding any counter benefits altogether in order to get a sale.
If a large stone seems to be too good to be true in terms of
cost when its clarity seems good, then it is very likely to be a
clarity-enhanced diamond. We would not advocate purchasing
clarity-enhanced stones.
The average grade tends to be J, which is fairly clear, but with a
subtle yellowish tint. A 1ct diamond would still cost you £1,000
or more, even though it isn’t really a top-rated diamond…
The Colour
What we’re actually talking about here is in actual fact, the
lack of colour. Natural diamonds, like any type of crystal, vary
enormously in terms of their colour. The less coloured they
are, the higher their cost. Colour in a diamond is rated on a
scale of D-Z, with D being the lowest colouration and Z the
highest. A diamond that is more coloured will affect how the
light appears when it sparkles.
A D-F graded diamond would be virtually colourless (even the
G-I graded ones will appear colourless to the naked eye), while
the bottom-graded diamonds would be light yellow in colour.
40
The Carat
Carat weight determines the weight of the diamond, although
bear in mind that this figure does not take size and shape
into account – two diamonds that appear identical may have
different carat weights due to their depth.
Carat weight is expressed as a decimal or fraction. The greater
the carat weight, the more expensive the diamond will be,
although bear in mind that this doesn’t necessarily make it
better. When choosing jewellery, your considerations should
be based on hand size, budget, setting and personal style
41
The diamond mythology
The diamond mythology
rather than just opting for the biggest, most expensive one
you can find.
to begin with and that you’ll take pride and pleasure in for the
rest of your life.
To summarise…
The good news is that the IQ Diamond® ticks all these
boxes!
It’s important that you understand these four different
elements when looking for diamond jewellery. Too few
people spend time researching diamond quality and what
they need to look for. They’ll visit a jeweller and naively trust
the advice they are given leading to disappointment in size,
quality, or both, given what they can afford. In a worst case
scenario, people buying diamond jewellery without the
proper knowledge can be sold a very poor quality diamond,
spending thousands for it, but not really understanding what
they have purchased.
We are all tempted to cut corners and save a little money, but
if the diamond is for something like an engagement ring that
you’ll be wearing for the rest of your life, do you really want to
be looking at a sub-par stone fifty years on? The longer you
wear it, the more you and others will notice its imperfections.
It would be better if you find a diamond that’s perfect for you
42
In terms of its cut, it is cut to Ideal/Excellent proportions in the
finest Hearts and Arrows symmetry, while it is rated Internally
Flawless in terms of its clarity and E-F in terms of its colour,
capturing the light in a way that equals the very finest of natural
diamonds. As a result of this, it has made a diamond of such
quality that it would previously have only have been available
to the extremely wealthy and not affordable for the rest of us.
As they are sold without the mark-up associated with mined
diamonds, there’s no need to compromise when it comes to
choosing a stone you’ll love wearing for the rest of your life.
Furthermore, the money you save can be invested in the
diamond’s setting, so you can choose a gold or platinum band
that does justice to the quality of the stone.
43
The diamond mythology
The diamond mythology
“How much can I save?”
There’s simply nothing else available that can compete with
the IQ Diamond® in terms of value for money.
A lot! Just have a look at the chart below…
IQ Diamond®
Superior
quality
mined
diamond
Average
quality
mined
diamond
Approx. £1,000
1 carat
diamond
with 18 carat
gold ring
Approx. £15,600
Approx. £4,350 Approx. £500
Not
available.
Actual
diamond
content
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Hardness
10 Mohs (surface)
10 Mohs
10 Mohs
9.25 Mohs
8 Mohs
Colour
F (natural white)
F (natural white)
G-H (yellow
tint)
I-K (grey/yellow
tint)
D-F (blue
tint)
Cut
Ideal/Excellent,
Hearts and Arrows,
cut by hand
Ideal/Excellent
Good
Varies
Cut by hand
Cut to
compensate
for the double
refraction
Clarity
IF (internally
flawless)
IF (internally
flawless)
SI2 (inclusions
visible)
VS1 to VS2
IF to VVS2
Tests
Shows a positive
diamond signature
under Raman
spectroscopy.
Tests positive on Tests positive Tests positive
on thermal
all diamond tests. on all
diamond tests. diamond
testing
machines.
Can test positive for
diamond.
Moissanite
Differentiated
by double
refractivity
& specific
Moissanite
testers.
Tracer added to
prevent this for
ethical reasons.
44
Cubic
Zirconia
Will test
negative
on all
diamond
tests.
We compared an 18 carat gold solitaire 1 carat diamond ring of
a similar style, using ten online UK diamond retailers, entering
the same credentials that match the IQ Diamond in terms of
the Cut, Clarity & Colour.
We searched for an excellent cut, internally flawless with an
F colour.
The average cost was £15,600.
We did the same comparison, but this time searching for a low
quality diamond, with a below average cut, colour and clarity.
45
The diamond mythology
We searched for a ‘good’ cut, as advertised as such… retailers
would not sell these diamonds very easily if they advertised
them as ‘poor cut’, an SI2 clarity – that means it is very flawed,
and an H colour, giving a slight yellow appearance.
These graded diamonds will be disappointing if you are looking
for a lovely sparkly stone that has a great depth and intensity.
They will be dull and lifeless due to the poor cut, flaws and
yellow hue.
The average cost was £4,350.
The IQ Diamond shares the same credentials as the £15,600
diamond ring with incredible scintillation and fire.
A 1Ct IQ diamond set in 18ct gold costs around £1,000 including
VAT and is guaranteed for life.
46
Diamond Mining and the
Environment
Diamond Mining and the Environment
I
n other words, what we call the Fifth ‘C’. That’s C for Conflict.
Conflict to Man, Environment and the Eco-System.
More and more of us are becoming concerned about the
environment. We recycle our rubbish; we work to reduce our
carbon footprint; we look for eco-friendly alternatives when
we’re out shopping… But how many of us consider where our
diamonds come from, and the impact getting them from the
mine onto our fingers is having on the environment?
Large-scale mining
Any large-scale mining operation is going to have an impact
on the local environment. The strict regulations necessary, if
ecological disasters are to be avoided, are sadly lacking.
Consider this – it requires, on average, the excavation of 250
tons of rock to produce a single carat during a mining operation.
How can any process that involves this kind of change to
the landscape ever be truly sustainable and environmentally
friendly?
50
Diamond Mining and the Environment
There are three types of large-scale mining operation:
Strip mining (open pits)
In strip mining, all the soil and rocks that overlay the mineral
deposit (in this case, the diamond-bearing kimberlite) are
removed altogether, leaving an open pit from which the
mineral can be extracted. This often requires large walls to be
built in order to divert the natural flow of water. As a result of
such practices, whole lakes and ecosystems can be completely
removed from the local landscape, with the scars left visible
from space on certain occasions.
Underground mining
In underground mining, the top layer is left intact, and access
to the mineral deposit is achieved through the use of tunnels.
The land surrounding these mines is usually developed in
such a way as to destroy huge areas of fragile eco-systems
and disturb natural wildlife habitats. For example, Canadian
Diamonds are advertised as conflict free and extolled as
consumer friendly. This is misleading information supplied
to consumers. Several different organisations have reported
51
Diamond Mining and the Environment
Diamond Mining and the Environment
on the irreversible damage to the land, the wildlife and the
indigenous tribes living in the diamond mining regions.
Artisanal/small-scale & Alluvial mining
operations
Dredging
Artisanal and small-scale miners are estimated to produce
20-25% of all non-fuel minerals worldwide. The value of their
contribution is hardly matched by what they gain from their
livelihood. It is estimated that there are about one million
diggers in Africa who earn less than a £1 a day from mining
diamonds, depriving them of the ability to pay for basic
requirements like water and sanitation.
Dredging is carried out offshore using a floating processing
vessel and a remotely operated crawler. The crawler digs up the
seabed indiscriminately, whilst the processing vessel handles
the seabed that has been dredged up. Up to 400m3/hour
(that’s approximately 600 tons per hour) of seabed material is
processed. The damage to the seabed is severe and the sea life
that inhabits these areas is destroyed, leading to an uncertain
future for the marine life in that area.
Unfortunately, such large-scale operations are a necessity for
the diamond industry as it stands – a single, one carat diamond
requires 250 tons of ore to be mined. In addition to this, of
the 140 million carats of diamond that are mined each year,
only around 20% will be of sufficient quality to be of use to
jewellers; the rest will be used in industry instead. It’s a terribly
inefficient way of extracting the gemstones, even if one doesn’t
take the environmental impact into account.
52
These methods of mining have a lower environmental impact,
yet are extremely labour intensive, with workers using simple
shovels and sieves to pan through rivers. Such mining operations
have resulted in serious human rights abuses.
Diamonds also accumulate in rivers and lakebeds over thousands
of years as a result of sediment and erosion, moving them from
their original kimberlite pipes. These operations – referred to
as Alluvial mines – scrape away 3.3 million cubic yards of soil
and plant life per day and large walls are built to divert the
natural flow of water, leading to considerable damage to the
local eco-system and the habitats of the local wildlife.
53
Diamond Mining and the Environment
But even with relatively well-regulated diamond mining
operations, such as the ones taking place in Canada (which
we’ll discuss in detail later in the book), the environmental
impact is being felt. The acidic water runoff from mining
operations has a serious impact on local aquatic life – a problem
that is unlikely to ever be fully remedied, although in the
case of Canada, steps have been taken by the government
to minimise the problem. However, agreed levels of these
chemical discharges are being exceeded. In countries that are
not socially or politically stable, where the diamond mining
operations are often run by criminals, warlords and corrupt
politicians (as we’ll discuss in greater depth later), there are
no such regulations and the local communities suffer as a
result of it.
The environmental effects of mining operations can include…
‹‹
The draining of lakes, destruction of streams, and changes
in the quality of the water, costing fish their natural habitats.
It’s possible for whole lakes to be permanently ruined or
destroyed altogether in this way. Ammonia discharge from
54
Diamond Mining and the Environment
mines is a serious problem here, as it is often significantly
greater than was originally agreed upon.
‹‹
‹‹
‹‹
The loss of land-based habitats for local wildlife, thus
dramatically reducing biodiversity.
Increased production of greenhouse gases. Diamond
mines require huge amounts of fuel to run properly. Each
individual mine therefore produces a large amount of
greenhouse gas each year.
Social impact on local communities, with many people
being forced to relocate due to both health concerns and
the loss of their livelihood.
Exhausted mines
To make matters worse, when a diamond mine has exhausted
all its resources and is to be closed, there is generally little
regulation in place to ensure the local ecosystem is restored
to its former state and allowed to recover. Where diamond
mining has taken place, the districts are left detrimental to the
land and people. There are open pits serving as death traps for
55
Diamond Mining and the Environment
Diamond Mining and the Environment
these communities, where the land has been deserted and not
reclaimed. The mines are simply abandoned and left to fill up
with mosquito infested polluted water, which causes different
illnesses and where many children drown. Some people will
have no other source of water.
When industries like gas and oil are so tightly regulated in
order to minimise their impact on the environment, there is
simply no excuse for the diamond industry – who are trading
in vanity objects, not commodities – to be operating with
such an extraordinary lack of accountability.
The largest manmade hole ever was a diamond mine that
ended up being 1.25km in diameter and 525m deep before it
was exhausted and closed. It was simply abandoned, with the
local water polluted beyond repair and the land left unsuitable
for future cultivation. Aircraft are not permitted to fly over the
mine due to extreme downdrafts over the pit. So not only is
the environment being damaged – so too are the atmospheric
conditions. This is typical of these very large and deep mines.
This is another reason why the IQ Diamond® is such an ethical
(as well as beautiful!) choice. As it is grown in a lab, there’s no
need for any ore to be extracted from the earth, and thus
absolutely zero impact on the landscape.
Is this sort of large-scale pollution really worth the price of an
engagement ring, or a new set of earrings? It’s become clear
that repairing the damage to the landscape caused by largescale mining operations will be difficult if not impossible, so
an alternative source for our jewellery is needed before such
unsustainable practices lead to an environmental disaster.
56
Here’s an example to show you the kind of damage we’re
talking about. In the town of Mirny in Eastern Siberia, lies Mirny
Mine – the largest open pit diamond mine in the world and
the world’s second largest excavated hole.
This hole is 525 metres (1,722 ft.) deep and 1,200 metres (3,900
ft.) wide – so big that the airspace above it was closed to
helicopters after several incidents of them being sucked in
by the downward air flow!
57
Diamond Mining and the Environment
Diamond Mining and the Environment
SOURCE: Wikipedia
Photograph by Vladimir
Source: Airliners.net Photograph by Jeppe de Boer
SOURCE: Wikipedia
See that arrow on the right about
mid-way down? That’s pointing
to a 220-ton hauling truck that’s
over 20 feet tall!
SOURCE: Wikipedia
Photograph by Vladimir
SOURCE: Wikipedia Photograph by Vladimir
58
59
Diamond Mining and the Environment
Diamond Mining and the Environment
‘seed’, causing layers of carbon to build up in the same way
nature creates a diamond.
SOURCE: Wikipedia.
SOURCE: Wikipedia.
“But what about synthetic diamonds? Aren’t
they environmentally friendly?”
This process takes care of most ecological and humanitarian
concerns, but it requires 58,000 atmospheres of pressure
at 1,300 degrees centigrade, and these must be sustained
for long periods of time whilst the diamond crystal grows. If
this energy used in the heating and crystallising of synthetic
diamond can’t be supplied using green methods, then it’s not
environmentally friendly.
Furthermore, they won’t save you nearly as much money as
an IQ Diamond®. A synthetic diamond will generally retail for
around 15% less than a mined one (although the quality is
generally superior), although white synthetic diamonds will
generally cost around the same as their mined counterparts,
due to the extra time and skill involved in their creation.
Believe it or not, we actually have the technology to create a
‘real’ diamond in a laboratory, but this is a very different process
to the one used to create the IQ Diamond®. The process involves
the application of intense heat and pressure to a diamond
Although they can certainly be very beautiful, a synthetic
diamond just can’t compete with the IQ Diamond® in terms
of price or eco-friendliness.
60
61
What is a blood diamond?
What is a blood diamond?
What is a blood diamond?
o you buy Fair-trade goods as often as you can in order
to ensure the people who produced those products
are going to get a fair amount of money for the efforts and
weren’t forced to work in inhumane conditions? Would you
really want to purchase a product, knowing that the money
you’ve paid would be used to fund terrorism, or dictatorial
regimes in other countries? Few of us would and we may
be doing so without ever realising it through the unwitting
purchase of blood diamonds.
It was growing concern in the international community about
the use of blood diamonds to fund terrorists and corrupt
governments that led to the publication of the Fowler Report
in 2000 by the UN Security Council Committee. The report
made clear the ineffectiveness of existing sanctions against
countries where the sale of diamonds was funding illegal
and inhumane activities and recommended the creation of a
process that would make the sale of undocumented diamonds
a criminal offence.
A blood diamond is a diamond that originates from any area
in conflict that has reached the shops through unethical
mining practices, with the profits from its sale used to fund
war, terrorism and further human rights abuses.
The publication of the Fowler Report led to the creation of
the Kimberley Process (named for the small town that gave
birth to the diamond industry) in 2003 after three years of
negotiation between various NGO, diamond producing
countries and representatives of the diamond industry. This
process was intended to solve the problem of blood diamonds
by monitoring the origins of all diamonds on the consumer
market.
D
In the case of small mining operations, referred to as artisanal
mining, where workers dig and sift through river beds with
shovels and similar tools, the environmental impact is not as
great as the large-scale operations we discussed earlier, but
the human cost is often huge.
64
The entire process is voluntary and self-regulating. It requires
the diamond industry to place labels on diamond shipments,
65
What is a blood diamond?
certifying that these diamonds have been mined ethically,
sold and exported through legitimate channels, and will not
be used to fund war or terrorism. In theory, this is meant to
provide a guarantee to buyers that their new diamonds are
not financing human rights violations. Any nation which has
agreed to the Kimberley Process is not permitted to trade with
nations who haven’t.
However, there is still very little actual guidance offered to
the general public to let them know if they are purchasing
blood diamonds and there are obviously no visual clues in the
diamonds themselves that will be an indication. The results of
a 2004 Amnesty International survey, involving 246 different
diamond retailers, certainly make for grim reading…
‹‹
‹‹
‹‹
Only 27% had a policy on blood diamonds
30% said they had a policy on the selling of blood diamonds,
but were unable to produce a hard copy, or even explain
it in certain cases
Only 13% offered warranties to their customers as standard
66
What is a blood diamond?
‹‹
‹‹
‹‹
‹‹
37% claimed to be aware of the issue of blood diamonds,
although 54% of them offered an inaccurate definition of it
Only 28% were aware of the Kimberley Process and 29%
of those only had a limited understanding of it at best
83% said their customers rarely or never inquired about
blood diamonds
110 retailers simply refused to take the survey
A similar study in 2007 found that 56% of jewellers do not
even have an auditing procedure in place to ensure they are
not trading in blood diamonds.
Not much has changed since. Even now, many jewellers still do
not fully understand the Kimberly Process. As highlighted in
the recent Panorama documentary about Mugabe’s Diamonds.
Many jewellers were confused as to what the Kimberly Process
was about and why it was set up. Some even thought that
gold was also monitored by this process.
Although the Kimberley Process was considered to be a
reasonably effective solution to the problem of blood diamonds,
67
What is a blood diamond?
it has proved to be far from infallible. There are simply too many
loopholes and a lack of adequate enforcement is in place. For
example, Zimbabwe’s Marange and Chiadzwa diamond fields
continue to produce diamonds in utterly inhumane conditions,
with children enslaved and forced to work in the mines and
thousands of civilians raped or killed by government troops.
The profits from these diamonds are subsequently used to fund
both the criminals in question and Zimbabwe’s ruling elite.
In addition to the Kimberley Process failing to curtail the flow of
conflict diamonds throughout the world, there is no guarantee
that diamonds with a Kimberley Process Certification are in fact
conflict free. This is due to the nature of the corrupt government
officials in the leading diamond producing countries. It is
common for these officials to be bribed with a small amount
of money in exchange for paperwork, declaring that blood
diamonds are Kimberley Process-certified.
Despite this, their exports continue to be granted ‘conflict free’
status year after year.
68
What is a blood diamond?
Examples of some of these human rights
abuses
The BBC found evidence of such practices continuing as
recently as 2011. Unless dramatic changes are made in the
diamonds’ countries of origin, international law will only go so
far in keeping such practices in check. Some other examples of
human rights abuses associated with diamond mining include…
‹‹
‹‹
Workers in Sierra Leone are forced to pan handle for
diamonds along riverbanks, under threat of torture
and mutilation if they do not cooperate. This has been
going on ever since the Revolutionary United Front (RUF)
seized control of the diamond mines and started doing
everything in their power to deter locals from supporting
the government.
The San or Bushmen people of the Kalahari in Botswana
were forcibly relocated by their government in order to gain
access to the diamond mines on their land. According to
research by Survival International, Botswana’s government
has deliberately made living conditions on the land
69
What is a blood diamond?
deplorable by refusing both hunting permits and access
to local water supplies.
‹‹
Illegal diamond mines are being run in Venezuela, often by
Brazilian illegal immigrants. These large-scale operations are
producing diamonds that are sold to smugglers in Guyana
who go on to mix them with legally-sourced gemstones,
allowing them to bypass the Kimberley Process on their
way to the consumer market.
To make matters worse, even the countries that have voluntarily
signed up for the process have occasionally struggled to
implement it effectively.
Just as we often buy Fair-trade products, to ensure the farmers
who produce our food are getting a fair deal, we should do
what we can to ensure the jewellery that gives us so much
pleasure is not ruining the lives of others.
70
Environmental Concerns
about Canadian Diamonds
Environmental Concerns about Canadian Diamonds
M
any jewellers use the phrase “Canadian Diamonds” when
they want to prove to their customers that their products
have all been ethically sourced from conflict-free areas.
It’s true that Canada is certainly the industry leader in terms of
ethically sourcing diamonds and minimising the environmental
damage caused by mining operations. It’s also true that the
living standards for both miners and nearby communities
are significantly higher in Canada, and that the technological
sophistication of their mining operations is far superior to that
of other countries.
But there is still a significant amount of damage being done
to the local environment, despite a well-orchestrated PR
campaign to play down the problem. Wildlife in particular
has been hit especially hard, despite efforts to remedy
the problem. Research by the Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency revealed that wolves and grizzly bears
suffered the most from damage done to their habitats,
with caribou (who are particularly sensitive to any sort of
industrial activity) and wolverines also suffering. The study
certainly painted a bleak picture when it demonstrated a
74
Environmental Concerns about Canadian Diamonds
37% decrease in high-quality habitats and an 84% increase
in low-quality ones.
The plight of caribou is especially problematic, as the Dene
people rely on them as their main source of protein. The
herds have been in decline for decades now due to a number
of different environmental factors, and damage wreaked
by the diamond mines has only served to exacerbate the
problem.
Muskeg, a peat-type area that forms a significant part of their
habitat, is being dewatered by mining operations, releasing
poisonous methyl mercury into the environment and damaging
it further.
Increased noise levels from traffic, heavy equipment, overhead
flights and the use of diesel-powered generators have also
affected the density of local bird populations, with certain
species feeling the effects as far as 3000 metres away.
Dust from the mining operations has also caused significant
environmental damage, particularly to plant-life. Changes in
soil pH, an earlier melting point for snow in certain areas, and
75
Environmental Concerns about Canadian Diamonds
an increased depth of the active layer of soil have affected
many plants’ ability to photosynthesise.
The independent watchdog, Mining Watch Canada, has already
raised concerns about these issues and is trying to ensure that
Canada’s Aboriginal people benefit from the mines and do
not have their communities and their traditional way of life
irreparably torn apart by them.
It has also been reported that Canadian Diamonds have been
associated with weaponry purchases from their sale in Israel.
This contradicts the “conflict free” label that is widely used by
jewellers when selling Canadian Diamonds.
It’s therefore a mistake to believe any marketing that implies
there are absolutely no ethical concerns surrounding Canadian
Diamonds. The diamond corporations who carry out the
mining in Canada are the same companies that mine in Africa
and thus associated with the issues there.
Although Canada has made significant progress in the field
of ethical mining, there is still a lot of work to be done, so be
sure to do your own research before you make a purchase.
76
How the IQ Diamond®
benefits the environment
How the IQ Diamond® benefits the environment
T
his is another strong argument for an alternative to mined
diamonds – and the IQ Diamond® in particular – as there is
no chance of them turning out to be blood diamonds. State-ofthe-art technology is used in the production of the IQ Diamond®
carried out in a modern day lab environment, therefore keeping
harmful and destructive mining to a minimum.
Each one-carat IQ Diamond® sold in place of an earth-mined
equivalent prevents up to 250 tons of ore being extracted
from the earth.
No greenhouse emissions, water or air pollution results from
the creation of the IQ Diamond®.
No devastated ecosystems are associated with it, nor do we
use hazardous chemicals, radiation or other environmentally
dangerous substances and processes.
Unlike mined diamonds, the IQ Diamond® is free from unethical
mining, pollution, unethical labour, unethical business practices
or extortionate pricing.
80
The perfect setting
Choice for the IQ
Diamond®
The perfect setting
The perfect setting
s you’ll no doubt have seen by now, you’ll save a
considerable amount of money when you opt for an
IQ Diamond® rather than a mined one – which means you
can invest a little extra in its setting and create a truly stunning
piece of jewellery. Let’s look at some of your options when it
comes to metals…
more like platinum and does not necessarily require rhodium
plating.
A
Do you need rhodium plating?
Rhodium plating is part of the platinum family – a brilliant
white metal that is often used to plate cheaper jewellery to
give it an impressive-looking sheen. However, this plating
wears out extremely quickly, so you’ll often find yourself having
it re-plated every 12 months or so as the metal underneath
starts to show through. This will be a big problem if you are
planning on wearing the jewellery regularly.
Furthermore, the process used in the creation of rhodium is
extremely toxic and damaging to the environment. That’s why
we’d recommend investing the money you’ve saved by opting
for the IQ Diamond® into a better quality metal, particularly
palladium-rich gold or platinum. Palladium-rich gold looks
84
White gold
18c white gold is comprised of 75% gold and 25% white metals,
such as silver or palladium. Depending on the metals that have
been used in its creation, it can have a grey look, and so needs
rhodium plating if it is to shine properly. However, if you opt
for palladium-rich gold, which has a natural white appearance,
it doesn’t require the use of rhodium plating.
Yellow gold
18ct yellow gold is 75% gold and 25% silver, palladium and
copper. This combination gives it a beautifully rich colour and
also makes it hard and scratch-resistant, so it is an excellent
option for mounting gemstones.
Rose gold
Gold with a very high copper content is referred to as rose
gold. The higher the copper content, the deeper shade of
red it will be.
85
The perfect setting
If you do opt for gold, remember to have it polished every 1218 months so it keeps its lustre, and also be sure to ask about
Fair-trade gold, to make sure it has been ethically sourced.
Platinum
Platinum’s advantages when it comes to jewellery making
are numerous.
Unlike many precious metals, it will never discolour or tarnish.
It is hypoallergenic, making it ideal for people with sensitive
skin. It is far denser and stronger than gold and will therefore
require a lot less maintenance over the years.
It is one of the world’s most rare precious metals and is 95%
pure compared to gold, which is 75% pure. Only about 133
tons of platinum are mined each year, compared to around
2,000 tons of gold.
The different shapes of the IQ Diamond®
The IQ Diamond® can be cut in any of the classic or contemporary
shapes a mined diamond can. These include…
86
The perfect setting
Round Brilliant
This is a classic style that accounts for
more than half the diamonds sold at
the time of writing. It offers a high level
of fire and brilliance and will almost
always prove to be an excellent choice
due to its versatility.
Emerald
The unique cut of the emerald diamond
(so called because the shape was
originally developed for the cutting
of emeralds) produces an attractive
interplay between the light and the
darker planes – often referred to as a ‘hall of mirrors’ effect.
It will create a dazzling look when combined with the high
clarity grade of the IQ Diamond®.
Radiant
The radiant is one of the most brilliant of shapes and also hides
inclusions well. When it was first developed during the 1970s,
87
The perfect setting
The perfect setting
it changed the whole diamond industry’s attitude to square
or rectangular shapes. It is a versatile choice that looks great
in a variety of settings.
that increases its shine, it offers a slightly more brilliant spin on
the emerald shape.
Oval
Cushion
The oval shape offers a unique spin on the round diamond if
you are looking for something a little different.
Until the 20th century, this was the default shape for diamonds.
It is notable for its brilliance. Although it has something of an
‘antique’ feel, it also adapts well to modern settings.
Heart
Marquise
Suffice to say, this shape is popular for engagement rings! This
shape requires considerable skill to execute, if it is to maintain
its sparkle.
This long and narrow shape actually creates the illusion of extra
size, helping to maximise carat weight. It can also elongate
the finger of the wearer, making it seem longer and slimmer.
Princess
This shape is especially well-suited to engagement rings and
can work with virtually any ring style. It is the most brilliant of
all square-shaped diamonds.
Asscher
Having fallen out of favour since the 1920s, this shape has
recently experienced a resurgence in popularity. With a redesign
88
89
Conclusion
Conclusion
W
e hope this book has proved to be interesting and given
you a much better understanding of the diamond
industry and the alternatives available to mined diamonds.
Conclusion
http://www.miningwatch.ca/en/there-are-no-clean-diamonds-what-you-needknow-about-canadian-diamonds
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/blog/posting.asp?ID=432
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/story/2011/01/10/nwt-debeers-mine-caribou.
html
To finish, let’s return to a point from the very beginning of
the book. The fact that there are now alternatives to mined
diamonds, that have been sourced using questionable means
and sold for an inflated price, does not mean we should
compromise on the quality and beauty of the jewellery we
buy. Far from providing another cheap alternative, this new
era of jewellery making represents an opportunity for people
from all walks of life to acquire stones that are of superlative
quality and presented in beautiful settings.
It’s a tremendously exciting time and we hope that you’re now
as excited about it as we are and inspired to explore it further!
References:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/Boycott-Israeli-Blood-Diamonds/
http://www.randomli.com/musings/the-dirty-diamond-industry-the-truth-behinda-girls-best-friend/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14445087
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/most-incredible-earth-scars/16808
92
93
About KinetIQue:
Kind Not Mined Jewellery
About KinetIQue: Kind Not Mined Jewellery
About KinetIQue: Kind Not Mined Jewellery
e originally founded KinetIQue jewellery in order to
provide us with more opportunities to spend time as
a family, but it has since proved to be the beginning of an
exciting new journey for us…
companies deemed to “excel in ethical consumerism with an
excellent corporate social responsibility strategy”.
W
All our jewellery is created by master craftsmen, using the
revolutionary IQ Diamond® in a wide variety of stylish designs,
including your own custom creations, guaranteed for life.
Our services include…
‹‹
Handmade Jewellery to Order
‹‹
Repairs & Restoration
‹‹
Ring Resizing
‹‹
Rhodium Plating
We are committed to providing you with stunning yet affordable
jewellery that has had no humanitarian cost and no impact
on the environment.
Put simply, we trade ethically and responsibly with regard to
people, animals and the environment.
On completion of the audit, the research team made the
following comment:
“It is refreshing to discover a company like KinetIQue, offering a
unique product which respects human rights and the environment
– often negatively associated with the process of earth mined
diamonds. The company shows a clear understanding of
sustainability with the sourcing, production and packaging of
their products through their own business practices.”
Just visit our website to find out a little more about us and to
browse our exquisite range…
www.kinetique.co.uk
In fact, we received the Ethical Award in July 2012 on completion
of an ethical audit, which puts KinetIQue in the top third of
96
97
www.kinetique.co.uk
Introducing
the IQ Diamond®:
Kind not Mined Jewellery
Debunking the mythology surrounding
diamonds and helping you choose jewellery
that you’ll treasure forever
Diamonds are objects of incredible beauty and often rank
amongst our most treasured possessions. Despite this,
there are a great number of misconceptions about both
diamonds and the diamond industry. This book from Jason
and Elaine Foreman of KinetIQue Jewellery will lay those
misconceptions to rest and help you make a more informed
decision the next time you’re looking for a special piece of
jewellery. The topics they cover include…
‹‹
Why man-made hybrid diamonds are now so close in
quality to natural ones that even expert Gemologists can’t
tell the difference
‹‹
Why diamonds cost what they do – and why it’s got
nothing to do with their quality or rarity
‹‹
The impact even the best-regulated diamond mining is
having on the environment
‹‹
Blood diamonds – the ugly truth about where our
jewellery comes from
Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring, a gift
for someone special, or just a little present for yourself, you
cannot afford to go any further until you’ve read this book…
www.kinetique.co.uk