Diamonds, Explained

Diamonds are some of the most beautiful & desirable gemstones on earth. Diamonds have incredible history, characteristics & symbolism that makes them perfect for our beautiful fine jewelry that we wear every day & will have forever. This post explores the unique attributes of diamonds... 

Diamond Characteristics

Diamonds are brilliant and strong – let’s look at what makes them perfect for jewelry…

• Brilliance: Diamonds are known for their captivating fire & brilliance (sparkle) 
• Durability: Diamonds are the hardest precious gemstone; while other stones get scratches and discoloration, diamonds are will stay beautiful forever
• Workability: Diamonds can be cut into a variety of shapes, revealing the unique beauty of each diamond 
• Timelessness: Diamonds are a timeless style that will always be in style 
• Longevity: Diamonds can become heirloom pieces that will maintain their beauty and be passed down through generations

Diamond Grading – The 4Cs

The characteristics & symbolism of diamonds have resulted in diamonds becoming the most sought-after gemstone in the world. To serve potential buyers, strict diamond grading practices have been established to differentiate stones. 

The ‘4Cs’ are a grading system that indicates the quality of a diamond. The 4Cs are Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat. Each of these characteristics has a grading scale. A diamond’s collective grades inform the value of a diamond. However, the 4Cs can only tell you so much… the beauty of a diamond can only be seen. Two diamonds with the same characteristics can look very different from each other. The most important thing to know is that there are beautiful diamonds without perfect grades. When it comes to navigating the 4Cs, Madberet will advise you on tradeoffs between the characteristics and how to get the best value diamond for your budget. Your perfect diamond is out there! 

Diamond Durability and Wearability

Diamonds are one of the hardest minerals on earth, with a rating of 10 on the Mohs scale of relative hardness. The hardness of a diamond makes it ideal for pieces that you wear every day and want to have forever. While other gemstones can scratch, break or discolor, diamonds can maintain their beauty for years and generations into the future. It’s important to note that diamonds are hard, but they are not unbreakable. Accidental hard hits can cause diamonds to break. With a range of diamond shapes and sizes available, you can choose diamonds for a subtle sparkle or for a captivating statement.

Diamond Symbolism

The beauty and durability of diamonds contribute to their symbolism of strength, love, and possibilities. The romantic symbolism and beauty has contributed to diamonds becoming the most common gemstone in engagement rings. Diamonds are an excellent and timeless choice with inspiring and endearing symbolism.

Diamond Shapes

Diamonds are made into a variety of shapes. Some of the most popular shapes are round, oval, cushion, emerald, square, asscher, pear & marquise. There are countless variations of each shape, as well as countless other shapes. The round brilliant diamond is a ‘geometrically perfect’ diamond because of the way it refracts light. Round brilliant diamonds will generally have the most fire and sparkle. 

Diamond Origins: Lab Created vs. Natural

There are two options available for diamond origin; lab created & natural diamonds. Both diamonds are exactly the same – chemically & visibilly identical. Trained gemologists cannot tell the difference between the two. The only differences between these diamond options are origin and price. Natural diamonds were created & extracted from the earth. They are the more expensive option. Lab created diamonds are made using modern technology. They are the more affordable option. Either choice will result in a beautiful stone that you will love & cherish for years to come. Madberet creates everyday pieces using lab created diamonds. We can work with lab or natural diamonds to craft your custom jewelry. 

Final Note

Diamonds are classic, beautiful & iconic gemstones. A well-crafted, well-designed piece of diamond jewelry is worth investing in. With the proper care, your diamond jewelry can be worn every day and it will last you a lifetime.

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Ready to find your new piece of fine jewelry? Madberet’s fine jewelry collection has elegant, expertly crafted designs. We also offer custom design consultations for engagement rings, wedding bands, tennis bracelets & personal pieces. We are here to answer your jewelry questions & bring your jewelry dreams to life! Contact Madberet to inquire about the custom design process.