Diamonds will never be out of fashion and as the sparkling season will start soon, IRMA has put together a little how-to guide for buying a sparkling gemstone that you will love forever. And isn’t Sunday breakfast an excellent time to casually mention to your significant other that a diamond would just look fabulous on you…?
What to look for in a diamond?
This can be broken down to what’s known as the Four C’s: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight, the four most important characteristics of buying a diamond. Learning how to prioritize one over the other can help you find a beautiful diamond within your budget. For example, small differences in carat weight can sometimes result in a disproportionate spread in cost. To the eye, the difference between a 1.1-carat and 2.1-carat diamond might be impossible to discern, but the cost difference between those carat weights can be enormous.
What makes a diamond sparkle?
A diamond is essentially a prism of light, and diamond cutters work to let the most light shine through each stone. It is the cut that brings out the beauty of a diamond, providing more scintillation, more sparkle. Symmetry and proportion maximize light return. When done well, a diamond’s cut can be even more important than color, clarity and carat weight.
What makes a WEMPE cut different?
Most diamonds are cut round with a full 57 facets. It is the work of a master cutter that allows the diamond to be cut in such a way as to permit the maximum amount of light to be reflected through the diamond. Jeweller WEMPE has come up with a very special and innovative diamond cut: the WEMPE-Cut®. With 137 facets – an incredible 80 facets more than the classic brilliant cut – it has an extremely high light reflection and thus more brilliance and fire.
How to take care of a diamond?
Diamonds may be the hardest substance on earth, but they are not indestructible. Don’t store your diamond jewelry next to other jewelry pieces as this can cause scratches. A fabric-lined jewelry case with separate compartments is ideal. You should also regularly inspect your diamond jewelry to make sure the setting is secure and clean it on a regular basis. Everyday exposure to skin oils, creams or household chemicals can cause build-up that will dull your diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. Use a solution of warm water mixed with a few drop of ammonia (such as in a window cleaner) in which to soak your diamond jewelry overnight. Rinse and dry with a clean soft cloth. Cleaning antique diamonds or fragile settings is best undertaken by a professional jeweller.
This article was made possible with the kind support of WEMPE