Dogstone Diamonds

What you need to know about diamonds...
Before you make your purchase at Dogstone Designs we would like to provide you with interesting knowledge about what you should look for to ensure you receive the best quality diamonds. At Dogstone Designs we pride ourselves of carefully choosing the highest grade diamonds for our customers. Yes, diamonds can be expensive, but with our policy of providing trade price diamonds at Dogstone Designs, you can be assured that you will get the best deals on the internet when you shop with us.

We understand at Dogstone Designs that when our customers buy our diamonds, in most cases it is for a special occasion as a diamond has become a symbol of commitment, love, emotion and style. Therefore we genuinely care about the recipient of our diamonds and with our one-to-one personal service, you can be guaranteed of delight and satisfaction.

So, what do you need to know about Diamonds?

Diamond is the hardest natural material known to man, where hardness is defined as resistance to scratching and is graded between 1 and 10 using the Moh's scale. Diamond has a hardness of 10 on the Moh's Scale. About half of all diamonds in the world are mined in central and southern Africa. Diamonds are mined from kimberlite and lamproite volcanic pipes deep within the Earth where high pressures and temperatures enable them to form and travel to the surface.

In recent years, there has been controversy about Blood Diamonds originating from military conflicts in war torn areas of Africa. At Dogstone Designs we trace all our diamond sources to make sure that none of the diamonds we use originate in these areas and do not have any connection to blood diamonds.

The combined elements that create the way that diamonds are sold are as follows

DIAMOND CARAT
DIAMOND CUT
DIAMOND SYMMETRY
DIAMOND POLISH
DIAMOND CLARITY
DIAMOND CERTIFICATION

DIAMOND CARAT
A diamond's weight is represented in carats. Carat is a measurement of weight, NOT size. One diamond carat is divided into 100 points; a diamond that is ¾ of a carat is also 75 points. One carat is the equivalent of 0.2 grams. A larger diamond with low quality cut, colour and clarity will appear less eye catching than a smaller diamond that has been cut perfectly, with stunning colour and clarity

Diamond carat weight affects the price of diamonds more than any other determinant. A diamond that is double the size of another diamond can be up to four times the price. This significant movement in price is because of the relative scarcity of larger diamonds. A combination of a large size (1 carat+) with the best colour (D), best clarity (IF) and excellent/ideal cut is so rare the price is multiplied several times when comparing a similar size with poorer features.

When buying diamonds, the most popular sizes are 0.50ct, 0.75ct, 1.00ct, 1.50ct and 2.00ct. One important thing to consider is that in past years, it was considered that a 1.0ct diamond was most desired, however in recent years, diamond desire has moved more towards higher clarity, better cut smaller diamonds.

DIAMOND CUT
It is important to remember when you are looking at the cut of a diamond that it is not only about the shape of the diamond, but as important is the quality of the cut. The most popular cut for diamonds is the round brilliant diamond, containing 58 facets including the culet. The round brilliant cut is often the most expensive diamond as due to its round cut, it retains the highest carat. The cut of a diamond affects the symmetry of the diamond and how its faces work together to refracts light, creating its amazing sparkle.

DIAMOND SYMMETRY
Diamond symmetry is graded using what appear to be vague adjectives but are in fact precise quality tags:

Ex = Excellent, ID = Ideal [Different terms use by different labs. they are the same quality]
VG = Very Good
G = Good
F = Fair
P = Poor

A symmetry that maximizes the optimal light return is known as Excellent or Ideal, illustrated as perfect below. Diamonds with Premium and Very Good symmetry are well cut diamonds and have an abundant sparkle and presence.

DIAMOND POLISH
Also graded like symmetry with what appear to be vague adjectives but are in fact precise quality tags:

Ex = Excellent, ID = Ideal [Different terms use by different labs. they are the same quality]
VG = Very Good
G = Good
F = Fair
P = Poor

A diamond can have different textures and direction of the carbon composition. This means that when polishing a diamonds facets different directional movement and various degrees of coarseness will give a better finish or polish. An excellent or very good polish will perform better than a good polish and a fair or poor polish could have noticeable blemish marks and should be avoided. General value and performance can be found with Good to Very Good polish with Excellent Ideal Polish a premium for the best finish.

DIAMOND CLARITY
The clarity of a diamond refers to inclusions which can be black, gray or white marks that internally flaw the diamonds structure. These small imperfections are graded under 10 x magnification which is the standard to grade diamond clarity. A diamond with fewer inclusions is both rarer and more desired which makes it also more expensive. Diamond clarity from IF to VS2 will sparkle with intensity whereas diamonds from SI1 to SI2 will sparkle. I1 to I3 will lack sparkle and life with the inclusions being noticeable to the naked eye. Clarity is synonymous with purity, lucidity and calm. The dictionary quite appropriately mentions ‘spotlessness’ which can be quite literally applied to diamond clarity. The clarity of diamonds are classified as followed:

IF = Internally Flawless (IF) An internally flawless IF diamond is very special because there are no internal inclusions, nature has made it perfect. A very small percentage of diamonds are this perfect and when given as a symbol of love this characteristic is highly regarded.

VVS = Very Very slightly inclusion (VVS1 and VVS2) A very very slight inclusion, VVS2, will have inclusions of the same size but closer to the table or center of the diamond. Both VVS grades represent high quality and a near perfect clarity. Diamonds with IF or VVS characteristics are considered investment quality and the purist will insist on this clarity.

VS = Very Slightly included (VS1 and VS2) VS quality diamonds represent good value and retain a high clarity rating. A VS1 diamond will contain inclusions around the girdle or edge and the VS2 will have a similar amount of inclusions around the table and more central areas of the diamond. VS quality diamonds are ‘eye-clean’, which suggests that no visible marks can be seen with the naked eye, and we recommend this classification for quality minded purchasers.

SI = Slightly imperfect small inclusions (Si1, Si2 and Si3) A Si1 quality diamond is considered to be eye-clean although unaided but very close viewing or a trained eye could identify the inclusions. The fact that such concentrated unaided analysis is not normally performed by brides to be make these diamond popular as they are priced significantly below the VS quality diamonds. Having an ‘eye-clean’ diamond is the preference in nearly all diamond buyers and we would stress that Si1 diamonds are considered eye-clean because the location of the inclusion is difficult to detect and usually around the edge.

Inclusions visible to the naked eye (I1, I2, I3 - or sometimes referred to as P1,P2,P3) Are all very poor clarity diamonds with an I1 being visibly included. ‘I’ clarity diamonds loose light return because the inclusions are so large the light that enters the diamond can be refracted at random angles. The many inclusions also weaken the diamonds durability and a jeweler can more easily chip the stone when setting it into a ring. These diamonds I1, I2, and I3 are suitable for when size matters and a low budget requires

If you are unsure about the clarity of the diamonds that you with to purchase, please contact us at dogstone designs, we will do our best to help you.

DIAMOND CERTIFICATION
A diamonds certificate or diamond report is very important when purchasing a diamond as it clarify's the characteristics of the diamond. A diamond certificate from a ‘no name’ laboratory or jewellery shop is not worth the paper it’s written on, it is very important that you insist on the right grading documents. The world's foremost diamond report and the leaders in diamond research are the the EGL (European Gemological Laboratory). There are other laboratories that also use the EGL methods and/or have a very good reputation they are:

EGL (European Gemological Laboratory) - http://www.eglusa.com/
GIA (Gemological Institute of America) - http://www.gia.edu/
AGS (American Gemological Society) - http://www.ags.org/
HRD (Antwerp World Diamond Centre) - http://www.hrd.be/
IGI (International Gemological Institute) - http://www.igiworldwide.com/

Every certificate from any laboritory will carry its own disclaimer, the following is from an E.G.L certificate'

'This examination has been carried out using the current gemological procedures of E.G.L. The report or seal expresses an opinion at the time of inspection of the stone, not a guarantee, valuation or appraisal. No representation or warranties as to accuracy are made. Diamond grading is not a science; It represents only the best professional opinion of this company [the EGL], which chooses its own standards or norms. A+/- 20% error of judgment is scientifically possible. E.G.L. is expressly held harmless by customers including, but without limitation for any claims or actions that may arise out of negligence in connection with preparation of this laboratory report or seal, or actions based upon the customer's use of the certificate or seal'

At Dogstone Designs we present the following comments about diamond certification:

Diamond grading is not an exact science
A certificate is not a guarantee, valuation or appraisal - It's an assurance
A certificate expresses a single opinion at the time of inspection of the stone

DIAMOND JEWELLERY

Silver...
Silver comes in many different forms. Most common is marked as 925. This means that there are 925 parts Solid Silver to 75 parts alloy. This is usually Copper and gives the Silver a softer and more movable texture.

Silver jewellery can be made in many different ways. Some jewelers cast their creations from liquid Silver where as some, like us here at Dogstone Designs work from Silver sheet. This method gives use the ability to produce stunning shapes which are created by hand by the use of many tools. To produce a Hand Made item gives the item a very high quality and lovely weight.

When items are casted, as many items found on the internet usually are, they lack the high quality and personal touch so lovingly linked to Hand Made items. We believe that to truly say you love someone is to offer them a piece of jewellery which you know has been created in a workshop my a master craftsman. The Dogstone reputation for fantastic one off pieces has come from not only many years of hard work but also a very high standard of client care. We believe in the old traditional values of attention to each and every detail. For this reason Dogstone believes that you will love any hand crafted Silver or Gold ring made by us.

Gold...
Diamond rings can be made with a variety of materials and gold is perhaps the most common. Gold is very soft in its pure 24 carat state and an alloy mix is added to produce jewellery of quality hardness. This mix is the most workable when mixed at 750 parts pure gold to one thousand this is known as 18 carat. Gold can be made in various colours depending on the alloy mix. Copper, silver and zinc is alloyed for yellow gold and palladium, zinc and silver for white gold. Traditionally gold was the choice but recently with the fashion trends towards white gold and the availability of Platinum there are new choices. Platinum is with out doubt the best white coloured ring metal available.

Platinum...
Platinum is a superior metal to make rings because of its unique characteristics. Platinum is 1.4 times the weight of gold which makes it dense and much harder than other alternatives. This strength and hardness makes platinum very hard wearing and durable. Because of this strength, platinum is the best metal to secure diamonds and is naturally white so will not tarnish and fade. Platinum is non allergenic which helps people with dermatitis and skin irritations. We cannot speak highly enough of Platinum and therefore we recommend it highly.