Diamond origin important?

[Maya Moonstone]

Hi

I visited a local B&M jeweler and he made a general comment about the origin of a diamond. I can''t remember his exacct words, but to paraphrase: Stay away from diamonds from Israel, because they cut for size and not for quality.

I want a cushion cut diamond and another B&M jeweler offered to get a 2ct cushion from Israel. It will take about three weeks for it to arrive and he asks a fee for getting it for me to "view". (Will be a deposit if I decide to buy) I do not think I will "order" this diamond since I am a PS "graduate" and he assured me that Sarin etc is not necessary.

This made me wonder though that if grading labs can be rated from Trustworthy (GIA) to "less believable", can diamonds from different origins / cutters i.e. Israel / Belgium etc be rated?

Thanks
Maya

 

[niceice]

Date: 5/18/2005 1:11:56 AM
Author:Maya Moonstone
Hi

I visited a local B&M jeweler and he made a general comment about the origin of a diamond. I can''t remember his exacct words, but to paraphrase: Stay away from diamonds from Israel, because they cut for size and not for quality.

This is a pretty irresponsible and rather incorrect statement for a jeweler to make... Some of the finest cut diamonds in the world come from Israel. The country of location is not an indicator of quality, merely the country where the diamond was polished. There is a jeweler up the street from us who advertises that he sells diamonds from Antwerp with the impression that all diamonds cut in Antwerp are wonderful and many are, but some are not... the skill of the cutter and the care taken in the planning and actual cutting of the diamond is what determines its beauty, not the country of origin. Detailed proportions information and a vendor who takes pride in selecting their assortment will be a great asset to you in your quest. Good luck.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I agree with R&T

very few diamonds are cut in Antwerp - but maybe 1/3rd of the worlds diamonds are from there. They go via there because it is a market plae and it removes "made in India" etc.
Israel and India both produce the worlds worst and the worlds best diamonds..

 

[RockDoc]

Importance of Origin

Yes it''s important to know that the stone''s origin isn''t marketed and money transferred by the sale of it for funding inhumane or terroist''s benefits.

Origin is where the mined was mined.


Your concern is probably better termed as county of manufacture ( cutting/polishing)


While Gary is right that many very finely cut stones are from Belgium and India, there are a lot of other locations that are cutting exceptionally cut and finished diamonds. There are a number of factories in Japan, other Asian countries, the Dom. Reb., Puerto Rico, Canada, US and Roumania also producing diamonds that are very fine, and who also produce commercial quality cutting.

I would suggest you focus on the quality of the individual stone regardless of where it was cut, as this is more important the in which country it was cut in.

Nice Ice is certainly correct in their assessment of this.

Rockdoc