Frequently asked questions about Diamond & Jewellery |
How
much should I spend on an engagement ring?
Yes, a diamond engagement ring does symbolize everlasting love
and a lifetime commitment. But that doesn't mean you have to spend
a lifetime paying for it! Despite some jewellery industry recommendations
to budget approximately two months' salary, what to spend is completely
up to you. Only you know what makes sense for your particular
situation. Fortunately, diamonds are available in a wide range
of qualities, sizes, and prices - and each is unique - so you're
bound to find one you'll both love at a cost you are comfortable
with. |
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What
diamond shapes are available?
Although diamond cutters frequently create new shapes to accommodate
unusual rough crystals, the most common diamond shapes used for
diamond jewelry are round, pear, heart, marquise, oval, emerald
and princess cuts. There are other gemstone shapes used as side
or accent stones in jewelry, such as baguette, tapered baguette
and trillion.
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I have shopped around and some diamond prices seem to be far cheaper than others. Why is this?
There are many factors that determine the price of a diamond. Most people judge a diamond by its size, colour and clarity, but these are only three criteria of many that will effect on price. The way a diamond is cut can represent as much as 50% of the total price. Other factors like fluorescence can make the diamond appear milky. Some merchants drill and fill diamonds with synthetic material. It is important therefore that you trust your jeweller will know about and disclose these details. If you have a quote for what appears to be an identical diamond that seems well below all the others then beware! As with most things in life, if it seems too good to be true it usually is. |
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Can I use some diamonds and gemstones that I have inherited?
Carrying on a family tradition with jewellery is one reason that jewellery is so sentimental. At Daniel Prince we are experts at custom jewellery and we can advise you on the use of your diamonds and gemstones. Technology has improved vastly over the years so modern diamonds will always be more brilliant than old cut diamonds and gemstones. |
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Can
you use stones that I have sourced myself?
Yes we have done this on numerous occasions for our customers
and we decide whether we can use particular stones on a case-by-case
basis. If you can be sure that you are confident that the stone you have bought is suitable for setting in jewellery (e.g. no flaws appear near the girdle or the corners).
DISCLAIMER:
As your own item has been made or obtained from elsewhere, we
cannot guarantee its nature, including its quality, authenticity,
material or construction. Therefore we accept no responsibility
for any damage caused, owing to the item’s unknown nature |
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If a diamond is certifed can its quality be assured?
If the world were perfect we would all adopt the highest standards and stand by them. Unfortunately this world isn't perfect and discrepancies do occur between diamond grading bodies. Just because a diamond comes with a certificate does not guarantee its quality. Within the jewellery industry it is widely accepted that some diamond grading labs have higher standards than others and even the best labs will still grade a "dog" of a diamond. Having a certificate with a diamond helps determine its credentials but backing that up with informed knowledge from a professional helps give you peace of mind |
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What about diamonds on the Internet?
True beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Diamonds that may seem to have good credentials can still appear glassy and dull if their cut is flawed. The tiniest variation in the dimensions or angle of a facet can be so important to the way a diamond sparkles. Remember, there are so many different factors that determine the value of a diamond that simply shopping by carat, colour and clarity alone is not enough to ensure an truely informed decision. A responsible jeweller with diamond grading skills will take all the criteria into account before presenting you with a diamond to view, as well as providing the long term service to back it up. Can you be sure that an internet-only seller would do the same? |
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Which
shape is the most popular?
The round brilliant cut. Approximately 75% of all diamonds sold
today, particularly for engagement rings, are round. |
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Which
shape offers the best sparkle?
Because a round diamond is symmetrical, it reflects nearly all
light that enters it. The round brilliant cut has been mathematically
researched to produce the maximum brilliance - liveliness or sparkle
- and fire - variety and intensity of rainbow colours - from the
diamond's natural properties. |
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What
is a facet?
A facet is a flat face or plane that has been cut and polished
on a gemstone. Facets are placed at varying angles to one another.
The placement, angle and shape of the facets are carefully planned
and executed to maximize the stone's inherent fire, colour and
brilliance. |
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What
are inclusions?
Inclusions are the tiny "birthmarks" inside the stone
that make every diamond unique. They refer to any mineral or crystal
trapped within the diamond crystal at the time it is being formed
deep within the earth. |
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Do
inclusions and colour affect sparkle?
Only to a degree. Sparkle relates to the diamond's brilliance
- the intensity of the white light reflected back to the eye when
you look down into a diamond. It is really the cut and proportioning
of the stone that determines its sparkle. In some instances, a
small white or black inclusion could be reflected within the stone. |
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Which
quality characteristic affects the price of a diamond the most?
The "4 Cs" of a diamond - Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat
- can be considered independently or collectively. We suggest
you consider the value of a diamond based on all four characteristics,
but also take into account which feature is most important to
you as the buyer. |
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Where
do most diamonds come from?
For the last 150 years, most diamonds have come from Africa. The
South African diamond output was unrivaled until 1954 when major
deposits were found in Siberia. The biggest diamond discovery
in history occurred in 1966 when South Africa's massive diamond
deposits along the Orange River were discovered. Currently, Western
Canada is the site of the world's newest diamond rush. Diamond
deposits also can be found in Africa, the United States, Australia
and China. |
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Why
are diamonds so rare and expensive?
When mining diamonds, it takes approximately 23 tons of blueground
- the earth in which diamonds are formed - to yield 5 carats of
rough diamond material. Furthermore, only 20% of any diamonds
recovered are gem quality, while the remaining 80% are suitable
only for industrial purposes. |
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Can
you scratch a diamond?
Yes, but only with another diamond. The diamond is the hardest
substance known to man and is almost 100 times more resistant
to scratching than the next hardest material. |
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If
I hit my diamond will it crack or break?
It very well could. Even though the diamond is the hardest substance
known to man, it can still be damaged if struck hard and against
the grain. Think of the diamond's crystal structure as similar
to the grain of wood. There are growth lines as well as a "hard"
and a "soft" direction. A blow against the grain of
a diamond can cause it to crack, chip, split or even shatter.
In fact, diamond cutters determine how to cut a stone based on
their understanding of the rough crystal's structure and growth
lines. |
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If I get something made and I don't like it what can I do?
The benefit of dealing with an experienced and trusted jeweller is that we have your best interests at heart. At Daniel Prince we are committed to our customers being 110% happy with their purchase and therefore we are prepared to move heaven and earth to achieve this. |
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Is
a diamond a good investment?
Diamonds, at least those worn as engagement rings or other jewellery,
should be viewed as an investment in romance alone. While diamonds
are incredibly rare, they are at the mercy of the laws of supply
and demand. Rarity does come into play regarding price, but buying
a diamond is not like purchasing stock. Historically, diamond
prices have not fluctuated greatly from one year to the next.
That could change, however, if diamonds become more or less abundant
over time. |
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