Art Deco Wedding Band with Diamonds in White Gold

Diamonds

Diamonds are one of the most coveted diamonds on the planet. Since the olden days, mankind has been enchanted by this gem's unique beauty and infinite shine. The diamond is the only jewel composed of a single element, carbon, and is known to be the hardest naturally occurring mineral on the earth. This gorgeous gemstone is created under extreme temperatures and pressures within the earth's crust. It is a unique gemstone due to its chemical makeup, structure, and formation process. Diamonds are believed to have first been mined in India approximately 4000 years ago along the banks of the Krishna, Penner, and Godavari rivers. Historians say India started trading diamonds as early as the 4th century BC. Brazil became a significant source of diamonds in the 18th century. The first significant diamond discovery in South Africa occurred in the late 1800s.

Diamonds are nowadays mined in various places of the world. Prominent sources include Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Russia, and Canada. The name diamond comes from the Greek word 'Adamas,' which means "invincible" or "indestructible." Diamonds are noted for their incredible hardness, scoring 10 on the Mohs scale. Another diamond can only scratch a diamond. Diamonds are available in a variety of colors in addition to white. Yellow and brown are the most popular diamonds, while blue, green, orange, and red are the rarest.

Fearlessness, abundance, perfection, and illumination are all attributes associated with diamonds. It is renowned as the 'Stone of Invincibility' due to its unyielding hardness. Diamonds are also believed to bring their wearer triumph and power. Diamonds are also considered to be the birthstone for those born in April. It is also the gemstone connected with the 60th and 75th wedding anniversaries. This jewel symbolizes purity, love, and eternity and is a favorite center stone for engagement and wedding rings.

Diamonds are available in a variety of hues. Diamonds in the standard color group span from colorless to light yellow to brown. Colorless diamonds are the most expensive and rarest of all of them. There are also 'fancy' diamonds that are less expensive and available in red, pink, yellow, purple, blue, and green. 'Champagne' and 'cognac' diamonds describe brown and yellow diamonds. Even the slightest color shift can drastically influence a diamond's value.

The official standard color grading system for diamonds ranges from 'D' to 'Z.' Diamonds with a Z-K rating have noticeable color and are not very valuable. J-I is almost colorless, with a warm tone that can be detected. H and G are nearly colorless as well. Unless they are compared to a colorless stone, it is difficult to tell what hue these diamonds are. Although F and E appear colorless to the naked eye, an expert gemologist can identify minute amounts of color. D-graded diamonds are colorless, scarce, and highly precious.

Lab Diamonds are artificially grown in a lab setting by scientists, boasting identical chemical composition, structure, optical qualities, and physical attributes to natural diamonds. The marked difference between them is simply how they are formed.

Diamond FACTS:

• Mineral:     Carbon

• Refractive Index:     2.417 to 2.419

• Specific gravity:  3.50 to 3.53

• Mohs hardness: 10

Diamond is the birthstone for April and also the gemstone for 60th wedding anniversaries.

About Moissanites

Moissanite, a rare form of silicon carbide, is also beautiful, boasting over 2.5 times the brilliance of a diamond. Most moissanite is near-colorless but hues of yellow/gray may be seen in some lighting. Color affects value, with near-colorless varieties at a higher price. Moissanite is eye-clean and when inspected under a microscope, needle-inclusions can be seen due to the gem's development. Cut into any shape, most commonly a round brilliant cut, moissanite is also available in ovals, pears, princesses, cushions, hearts, and marquises.

Moissanite FACTS:

• Mineral:   Silicon Carbide

• Refractive Index:    2.65-2.69

• Specific gravity:     3.22

• Mohs hardness:    9.25

COMPARISON

(Natural Diamond VS Lab Diamond VS Moissanite)