Articles about Diamond Trade

This is the next article in the discussion of step cut diamonds.

The main goal of this article is to show how virtual facets form patterns in diamonds.
This is just a small part of the incredibly complex subject of virtual facets as virtual facets define every aspect of a diamond’s appearance and a large part of its performance.
This information applies to all polished diamonds but will be discussed in regards to step cuts.

This is the beginning of a discussion on steps cuts, how they work, what they are and what to look for when buying one.

It’s a long road but one I think is well worth investigating.
I will be starting at the bottom of the diamond and working up to the table.
Two of the most common step cut diamonds are the Asscher* and the Emerald cut
These cuts are closely related and the Asscher* is also known as the Square Emerald cut.
A third is the baguette (which may outsell the others in total numbers).
I will not be discussing baguettes in detail but the p3 angle problems apply to them as well.

Coming back from holidays, and trying to catch up with Pricescope, I saw a lot of discussion and agreement about diamond-cutting being an art, and hence diamond cutters to be artists. At first, I felt like I had to disagree with this notion.

I consider ourselves not to be artists, but craftsmen, designers if you want, but not artists. After all, when we start working on a rough diamond, we are not driven by emotions, which we want to express. Our main aim is to make or save money, by trying to cut the diamond, which we can easily sell for the highest amount.

Labs grading mistakes are a diamantaires favorite topic of conversation; are mistakes myths or reality? We aim to find out.

If major labs give the same diamond 2 or more grade differences, this is more than a borderline difference of opinion. We want your help to find examples (like this one).

Diamonds should be a blessing to all they touch, from the mine to the consumer, and everyone involved in the chain should be doing their best to insure that this happens. For the most part, they are. Diamonds and the related industries continue to provide a living for hundreds of thousands of people in Africa, India and in nearly every country on earth. Effective management of their diamond resources is the major reason that Botswana is a successful nation and Canada is using diamonds to bring prosperity to the native population in their depressed far north. Australia, Russia, Namibia, Belgium, Israel and Armenia are just a few more of the places touched by - and benefited by - the diamond trade. They are indeed a blessing.