Did you know that a diamond is the hardest natural substance on earth? A diamond is so hard that cocorundum, the second hardest mineral on earth that forms rubies and sapphires, is 58x less hard than the diamond. How about that for a competitor!

Here’s an interesting fact though: Despite the diamond’s extreme hardness, if a diamond is placed in an oven at the hot temperature of 763 degrees Celsius (1405 Fahrenheit), the diamond will simply vanish without even ashes remaining.

diamond

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “a diamond in the rough,” and if you haven’t, urban dictionary describes it as “somebody who appears dubious at first but then turns out to be exceptional.” So for example, if you think somebody is unqualified for a job but he then turns out extraordinary, you can call him a “diamond in the rough.”

This phrase originates from the rough diamond, which before it is cut and polished, looks very plain, rough and really nothing like that stunning bling your husband may have gotten you for valentines day! “Diamond Cutting”  is not an easy science and requires specialized knowledge, tools, equipment, and techniques because of the diamond’s extreme hardness.

Planning is the first step in converting the rough diamond into a polished stone. During this phase, the jeweler will evaluate the possible turnaround time in cutting the diamond, and from an economic standpoint he will evaluate the possible return on investment he will get on the finished stone.

The second  part, known as “weight retention,” is when an analysis is done on the rough diamond to find the best combination of finished stones as it relates to the per carat value.

Color retention is another important part of the process, since cutting can influence the color grade of the diamond and possibly raise the diamond’s value.  Additionally, there are certain diamond shapes that will intensify the color of the diamond, such as the “radiant cut.”

Cleaving and Sawing are the mechanical actions done to the rough diamond to separate them into separate pieces so they can be finished as individual gems.

After the cleaving and sawing is done on the diamonds, the bruting process will occur in which the diamonds are set onto spinning axles turning in opposite directions and grind against each other to make each diamond a round shape.

Lastly, the polishing and final inspection will be done in which the diamond will be cleaned thoroughly and examined to make sure it meets the manufacturer’s standards.

So next time you hear the phrase “a diamond in the rough,” remember that its origins refer to the original unpolished, uncut stone we just spoke about!

Recently it was reported that scientists discovered what they believe to be the world’s oldest diamonds beneath the Australian outback. Australian and German researchers believe that these diamonds date back a stunning 4+ billion years, making these diamonds almost as old as our 4.5 billion year old planet! These fifty gems were found inside the Jack Hills region of Australia and are quite small, with the largest diamond measuring only 70 microns, making it quite invisible to the naked eye.  These diamonds found not only have major implications for those interested in diamonds, but geologists studying the Earth’s formation believe this to be a major find, as these diamonds found could force a rethink about how our earth was formed.

Princess Cut Diamonds

A princess cut diamond is meant to be perfectly square. That means the measurement of one side should equal the measurement of the next side over. If a princess diamond is not perfectly square, and becomes more rectangular, then it is known as a radiant cut diamond.

princess cut diamond

So then you might have the question: What about a radiant cut diamond that is actually square? (If we remember our logical laws of geometry, all squares are rectangles, and some rectangles are square, but not all rectangles are square. ) So then, if a radiant cut diamond is cut like a square, does it become a princess cut diamond? Well, no, and yes, and almost.

The only noticeable distinction between them is that the princess cut has sharp pointed corners, while the radiant cut has tapered corners. These cuts are two of the three main square cuts on the market, with the other one being the traditional “emerald cut.”

So, remember, if you’re looking for a radiant cut diamond, be sure to check it out and make sure it’s of a size and dimension that you like. All radiants are unique in their look. If you like the more square radiant diamonds, then consider a princess cut diamond.

A simple solution of ammonia and warm water should be enough to get your diamond ring sparkling like new. Use a soft tooth brush and gently brush away any accumulated gunk.

Note: This is NOT a good idea if your diamond has been fracture-filled. At Mervis, we don’t sell any fracture-filled diamonds, so if you’ve got a Mervis diamond, the ammonia is safe. Otherwise, a mild liquid detergent should suffice.

Diamond fact of the day: Blue diamonds are the result of trace impurities of Boron in the otherwise Carbon diamond. The most famous blue diamond is the Hope Diamond, weighing over 45 carats and emitting an intense blue color.

Hope Diamond