Welcome to Kent Jewelry. We invite you to browse our website or stop by and visit at our store located at 907 Pine Street in downtown Rolla, near the Missouri S&T Campus. Providing clients with custom designed jewelry, gifts and awards.
Diamonds
There is nothing that holds memories or that is passed down for generations more than a diamond. We hope that the information herein will assist you in making an informed decision on acquiring a diamond that will last for your lifetime and beyond. The search for that perfect diamond is an adventure, enjoy the experience!
What is a Diamond?
Diamond is a mineral made of carbon crystallized in a cubic structure. It is the only gem made of a single element, typically 99.95% pure. In this crystal form, carbon is the hardest substance known to man and rates a 10 on the Moh's hardness scale. The next hardest gem, sapphire, is 150 times softer!
Why a Diamond?
The reasons for buying a diamond are as different as each individual. Diamonds are beautiful. Their beauty and mystique provide us with an outward expression of love, and create an aura of success and pride. Diamonds are durable. Diamond is the hardest substance known to man, they can maintain their beauty for centuries. Diamonds are rare. 250 tons of ore must be processed to obtain just one carat of diamonds, and of those only 20% will be used in jewelry, as most diamonds are used for industrial purposes like cutting other diamonds! Diamonds retain value. There is nothing else that holds its value while being enjoyed daily better than a diamond.
Where do diamonds come from?
Diamonds form 75-120 miles below earth's surface and are brought up by volcanic activity. They are found in kimberlite pipes on every continent except Antarctica. Australia, Africa, Russia and Brazil are the primary diamond producing countries. There are diamond deposits in the U.S. and one as close as Murfreesboro, Arkansas that you can mine yourself!
How long have diamonds been used by man?
Diamonds have been used by man since the first century AD primarily as talismans because they lacked the technology to cut or fashion them. In the 1700s many diamonds came to Europe from Brazil and craftsmen began cutting and using them in jewelry. In 1477 the first engagement ring was given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy, which started a tradition that has lasted over 500 years. Recent developments in technology have made diamonds affordable for everyone.
How are diamonds cut?
Diamonds are cut with other diamonds or laser beams. The polishing is done with diamond dust which is mixed with oil and placed on a large steel wheel. 50-60% of the rough diamond is lost in fashioning.
How do I choose a diamond?
Unless you plan on becoming a diamond expert, shop around for a jeweler you trust. He or she will be of great assistance while choosing a diamond that will fit your lifestyle.
How much should I spend on a diamond?
Remember that the diamond you purchase will last a lifetime with proper care and will probably be passed down for generations. With this in mind, a good rule of thumb when buying a diamond is to budget two months of your gross salary. It's important for you to understand that this two months spending guideline will get you the biggest and most beautiful diamond that you can afford without breaking your budget. And that your diamond is something that you'll both be proud of, forever.
Carat Weight
The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 parts called “points,” 1 ct. = 100 points; ½ ct = 50 points. The value of two diamonds of the same weight can vary greatly depending on the color, clarity and especially the cut. 1 ct = 0.2 grams; 142 ct = 1 ounce.
The largest gem quality diamond ever found was in South Africa, named the Cullinan (after the founder of the mine). It weighed 3,106.75 ct, was about the size of a baseball and yielded the largest faceted diamond, the 530.20 ct Cullinan 1, which is mounted in the royal Scepter in the Crown Jewels of England. The Cullinan also yielded 104 other sizeable cut diamonds!
Because larger diamonds are more rare, the price per carat is higher. So all the other characteristics being equal, one hundred 1-point diamonds costs less than ten 10-point diamonds which cost less than four .25-ct, which cost less than two .5-ct, which cost less than one 1-ct diamond…and so on.
Color
Most diamonds, although appearing colorless, actually have slight tones of yellow or brown. As these tones become more easily apparent, the rarity and cost decrease.
Fancy colors are diamonds with distinct attractive tints, like blue, green, vivid yellow, pink, and most rare red.
Color is caused by trace elements or structural abnormalities in the crystalline structure. A trace amount of boron creates blue color, while nitrogen causes yellow and brown color.
The most famous blue diamond is the 45.52-ct Hope diamond now housed at the Smithsonian.
Many pink and the occasional red diamonds come from Australia.
Clarity
Most diamonds contain inclusions. Inclusions are natural birthmarks and considered nature’s fingerprints on the diamond. A diamond’s clarity is determined under 10-power magnification by a trained eye, taking into account the number, size, type and location of the inclusions.
Inclusions will help you identify your diamond, if you have an internally flawless diamond you may want to have the girdle engraved for identification.
In general, diamonds having a clarity grade of SI2 or above are free of inclusions to the naked eye. If you can see inclusions the diamonds is more likely an I grade or below.
Some diamonds can be clarity enhanced through laser drilling and fracture filling. These treatments have been tested and as long as they are disclosed to the buyer, it may be a way to purchase a diamond at a bargain price.
| FL | Flawless (extremely rare) |
| IF | Internally Flawless (rare) |
| VVS1 - VVS2 | Very, very slightly included |
| VS1 - VS2 | Very slightly included |
| SI1 - SI2 | Slightly included |
| I | Eye visible inclusions |
Cut
The cut of a diamond may be the most important aspect of a diamond’s beauty. It is the only thing that man can do to enhance the brilliance of a diamond. Diamond has a fixed refractive index of 2.42, so precise cutting is critical in creating a gem with maximum scintillation. Cuts that are too shallow or too deep allow light to escape before reflecting through the top of the stone. A good cut enables a diamond to make the best use of light. A fully cut round brilliant diamond has 58 facets, small flat polished surfaces that reflect light throughout the diamond. An IDEAL CUT diamond is cut to precise tolerances giving the diamond the maximum brilliance for the largest face possible.
Shape is often mistaken for cut, but no matter what shape you prefer, good cut is essential for a brilliant, beautiful diamond.
