Diamonds Archives - Page 3 of 4

Crystal Inclusions – A Rare Addition

This week at Knox Jewelers we encountered a surprising addition enclosed within one of our oval-shaped diamonds. Hidden under a facet junction nestled a tiny green mineral crystal surrounded by the diamond crystal during formation. This clarity characteristic inside a gemstone serves as evidence in its creation. It could lead you to discover how and sometimes even where it formed. Many characteristics can be clues to the events in a gem’s history or the Earth’s own history.

Crystal Clarity Characteristic

Clarity characteristics in diamonds are common. There are very few diamonds that receive the clarity grade of Flawless, most contain some imperfection whether it be an inclusion, a feature enclosed within the diamond, or a blemish, a feature on the surface of a diamond. Diamonds can have many interesting inclusions. Sometimes they can contain another smaller diamond crystal but more often they hold embedded crystals of an entirely different material.

Common Crystal Colors

The color of the included crystal will depend on the type of mineral they are composed of. The most common internal crystal colors are colorless (other diamond), black (carbon), red (garnet) and green (peridot or diopside). Most of the time we can not conclusively determine the mineral an included crystal is, being inside another gem makes it hard to get to and even more complex to test, but color can narrow the spectrum down to a smaller number of options. Even if we don’t know exactly which gemstone it is, included crystals are still a very fascinating addition.

Crystal Formation

As a gemstone grows it competes with other crystals for space and nutrients. A fast-growing crystal can enclose a smaller, slower-growing crystal that then becomes part of the bigger crystal’s life story. The formation and internal world of diamond is incredibly fascinating and we were very excited to come across something so unusual. Inclusions, especially mineral crystals, can be an interesting feature within your diamond. Many of them are very small and not viable to the naked eye, but with magnification they are very intriguing to study.

Pros and Cons of Included Crystals

Most included mineral crystals are small and unnoticeable, but a diamond’s clarity and value could be affected by larger inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye. More obvious colored crystal inclusions are generally undesirable and these inclusions are usually met with negativity. On the other hand, these additions can also make a gemstone unique. They tell the story of the gem’s birth and give each one its own fingerprint. A small crystal could add character to a diamond and turn it into something uniquely your own. Your center stone would be a conversation piece for years to come, and especially appropriate if your favorite color was green!

Choose Your Diamond Today

Stop into Knox Jewelers if you’re looking for something that is original and finely crafted. A little piece of art that you can wear and is different from the rest, with a personally chosen diamond to match. Let Knox Jewelers fashion the ring you will have for the rest of your life. If you happen to have any questions at all about diamonds or their clarity grade, please be sure to let us know. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have, and we look forward to working together with you to design a work of art that will last and be passed down throughout the ages. Get in touch with our friendly and professional staff today, and we’ll get started on the journey to creating your very own, one-of-a-kind piece of custom jewelry.

Diamond’s Rare Hues

Colored diamonds are among the rarest and most coveted gemstones on the planet today. Their legendary nature dates back to ancient times, and they continue to remain some of the most awe-inspiring stones in the world. In fact, only one in 10,000 diamonds has a vibrant color, and the most expensive gemstone ever auctioned – the Graff Pink Diamond – sold for a staggering $46,000,000. These diamonds are rare, beautiful, and superbly valuable, and they would make a great addition to your very own custom engagement ring. At Knox Jewelers, we have extensive experience in working with all kinds of gemstones, including colored diamonds, and we would love to have the opportunity to design a work of art just for you and your loved one. Let’s take a closer look now at the history and background of colored diamonds to see just why they’re so special and valued.

The History and Legacy of Colored Diamonds

Ancient India is the origin of the world’s first color-grading system for diamond stones, wherein they served as a mark of honor and reputation in the caste structure of the country. Depending upon an individual’s specific role in society, they were permitted by the ruling castes to wear one of many different known colored stones of that era.

Since then, the jewelry industry has adopted a number of more modern grading systems for these diamonds, and these systems continue to evolve as the years march forward. Sources of colored diamonds include Southeast Asia and South America in a variety of different countries, including Brazil and Indonesia. From Australia, the Argyle mine produces stunning pink diamonds – among the most coveted of this class of gemstone.

The Rarity and Splendor of Colored Diamonds

Although many of our clients are familiar with the classic gemstones such as sapphires, rubies, and emeralds, many of them are not so familiar with colored diamonds. Nonetheless, these diamonds can easily match the beauty of the former gemstones, and they are bound to make a great addition to any piece of jewelry. After all, there is nothing quite like having a stunning colored diamond center stone to adorn your engagement ring or other jewelry.

Colored diamonds are certainly making a comeback in the industry today, and “fancy colored diamonds” – that is, diamonds which have rich hues and intense colors – are among the most prized by both designers and customers. Colored diamonds are achieving this new found popularity by combining those qualities which make more traditional gemstones like ruby and sapphire so renowned with the durable and enduring properties of diamond. Without a doubt, these rare gems will continue to gain market share and repute.

Design Your Very Own Unique Engagement Ring at Knox Jewelers

At Knox Jewelers, we are experts in designing heirloom jewelry that will last for countless generations and stand the test of time. We want to help you design a custom engagement ring with a colored diamond center stone that truly evokes feelings of love, loyalty, and family – all the necessary ingredients in the creation of a true heirloom. We are proud to help our valued clients to physically manifest these eternal bonds and relationships, and we look forward to helping you create your very own design.

We start with a consultation to determine what your goals are for the piece. Then, we help you select the perfect center stone. Finally, we will make final adjustments to the design and select a metal for the base. As our talented jewelers bring your creation to life, we’ll send you photos of its progress along the way. This process is truly intimate and one-of-a-kind, and you’re sure to remember it fondly well into the future.

Have Any Questions? Let Us Know: We’re Always Happy to Help!

If you happen to have any questions at all about colored diamond stones or the jewelry creation process at Knox Jewelers, please be sure to let us know. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have, and we look forward to working together with you to design a work of art that will last and be passed down throughout the ages. Get in touch with our friendly and professional staff today, and we’ll get started on the journey to creating your very own, one-of-a-kind piece of custom jewelry.

How Does Light Affect My Diamond?

Diamonds capture our attention and hold it. They accomplish this feat through many different mechanisms, but one of the most visible and noticeable is its reflection of light. Light can affect a diamond in a variety of ways, and each of these ways contributes to diamond’s overall beauty and popularity – after all, there’s a reason why diamonds are often used in metaphors and idioms involving light and perception. Let’s take a look now at some of the different ways in which varying light conditions can sometimes drastically change your diamond’s appearance to make it lighter, darker, or even more colorful.

Why Your Diamond Looks Different Based on Lighting Conditions and the Environment

Think of it this way: Your diamond is a conglomerate of many different tiny mirrors that are each angled in different directions. Thus, your diamond reflects a multitude of different objects in its environment. Then, you have to consider your own viewing angle – how you look at the diamond also changes your perception of it. Try this experiment: Hold your diamond jewelry as far away as you can stretch your arms. Then, hold it as close to your eyes as you can. See the difference? When you hold it close, you’ll reflect the pupils of your eyes. Holding it far away will reflect more of the immediate environment.

How the Cut of a Diamond Affects Its Appearance in Light

Diamonds are typically graded based on their color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. That last item, cut, is essential in determining a particular diamond’s final appearance. In fact, your diamond’s cut plays one of the biggest roles in determining how light will interact with it. There are seven different components that go into determining a diamond’s cut grade: brightness, fire, scintillation, weight ratio, durability, polish, and finally symmetry. Let’s take a closer look at those components now.

Brightness, Fire, and Scintillation: The Perfect Combination

These three attributes describe a particular diamond’s appearance. Your diamond’s cut will determine how vibrant each of these aspects will be in the presence of different lighting conditions. In general, the best and most valuable diamonds channel all three of these attributes for maximum brilliance and beauty.

Weight Ratio, Durability, Polish, and Symmetry: The Four Pillars of Craftsmanship

The other four attributes that determine a diamond’s cut grade are weight ratio, durability, polish, and symmetry. These four aspects collectively describe the quality of the craftsmanship that went into the cut. Well-polished, symmetrical, durable, and balanced diamonds will naturally contribute to a higher cut grade.

How Cut Grades Correspond to Appearances

Cut grades are determined by the preceding seven attributes. But what does this grade mean for your diamond? Let’s break down each of the five grades to see how light affects each one differently.

*Excellent: For the most precise and beautifully-crafted cuts, light will reflect at subtle angles and radiate throughout the surface of the diamond. Only the most well-cut stones receive this rating.

*Very good: An impressive rating that many diamonds strive to achieve: The stone will look stunning under multiple lighting conditions and in different environments.

*Good: A diamond rated “good” will have a balanced brightness, fire, and scintillation score under varied lighting conditions.

*Fair: Average diamonds with a passable brightness, fire, and scintillation profile will achieve a “fair” rating.

*Poor: Self-explanatory.

The Ideal Diamond

The perfect diamond will capture light from its surroundings and display a beautiful show of color and light that captivates your eyes. It will display a clear spectrum of stunning colors as light strikes its surface (fire). As it moves through the environment, it will sparkle radiantly and emit a variety of light and dark patterns (scintillation). It will be bright and luminous (brightness).

How does a well-cut diamond achieve these effects? In short, it directs more light through its top without allowing it to exit through its bottom. A poorly cut stone will do the exact opposite, thus appearing darker under light.

Knox Jewelers: Your Diamond Jewelry Experts

At Knox Jewelers, we have helped countless customers design stunning and unique engagement rings. Many of these custom engagement rings have utilized a diamond center stone for its classic, timeless beauty. If you’re on the market for a custom engagement ring of your own that incorporates a diamond center stone, be sure to get in touch with us today at Knox Jewelers. We look forward to working together with you to design an engagement ring that stands the test of time!

Oval Engagement Rings – A Timeless Statement Of Your Love

Oval engagement rings have become a popular choice in 2014. Not only is this style of engagement ring exquisitely beautiful, it also has the added benefit of making one’s finger look more slender. There are many designs of oval engagement rings to choose from. Here are five of the most popular designs at Knox Jewelers:

Flare Oval
This elegant engagement ring is stunning with the oval cut diamond center stone positioned to run east-west (lengthwise) across the finger. It also features a flared band which is set with a series of diamonds that graduate in size. The center oval diamond is surrounded by a beautiful micro pave halo and the sides of the band are polished to a perfect shiny finish.

Design 2945
The center diamond rests gracefully along the length of the ring finger in this charming oval engagement ring. From the side, this ring gives the silhouette of an ornate cathedral where the band raises to meet the edges of the halo. Both the thin band and the halo surrounding the center stone are detailed with dazzling micro pave in hand-cut settings.

Design 2924
The design of this two-toned oval engagement ring really stands out with the juxtaposition of the sparkling white diamonds against the rose gold halo surrounding the large 1.25 carat oval shaped diamond in the center. This would be the perfect engagement ring for someone who wants their ring to really stand out with color while still having all white diamond stones.

Something Blue
This exquisite oval engagement ring is reminiscent of antique signet rings. It features a beautiful extra wide band with an intricate relief-engraved filigree pattern along the sides. The width of this band leaves a lot of room for engraving a special message on the inside of the band. The background of the band is hand-stippled and the raised vines surround beautiful blue ceylon sapphires that sparkle as much as the oval diamond in the center.

Rachel Lily
The 1.50 carat oval shaped diamond in this engagement ring is featured with a bezel setting and an intriguing knife edge band. On each side of the center diamond, there are three additional complimentary diamonds. The tapers down away from the center and flows into the double milgrain edge which smooths the knife edge of the band. There is so much attention to detail in the design of this ring that it has to be seen up close to fully appreciate it. This includes the custom engraving on the sides of the band and the hand formed filigree curls. Of all the oval engagement rings, this vintage inspired design is perfect for someone who appreciates fine detail work.

For hundreds of years oval shaped rings have been made out of many gem stones. Some of the most notable have been jade, rubies, and emeralds. Until more recently in history diamonds were not on this list of beautiful oval cut gems, however now they are definitely one of the most popular stone shapes. Oval cut diamonds look great in contemporary and antique inspired designs, which lets you combine the best of both worlds by choosing the exact details you love. Creating a custom design is perfect for couples intent on combining their different styles and tastes into one. If you are shopping for oval engagement rings, be sure to check out Knox Jewelers as an interesting and alluring option.

Knox Jewelers Minnesota – Understanding Diamond Fluorescence

Fluorescence or not to fluorescence? That is the question. Have you ever taken a look at a diamond grading report and wondered what does it mean when it says “Fluorescence?” Listed under the 4C’s you find Additional Grading Information and discover a section listed fluorescence. First, let’s take a look at what fluorescence is.

gia_grading_report_additional_info-300x141 Diamonds — GIA Additional Grading Info - Fluorescence

The formation of a diamond is how fluorescence exists in some stones. As a diamond grows in the earth, many defects occur during this formation. Nitrogen related defects are common during this process and if a growing diamond crystal captures surrounding nitrogen, the nitrogen resides within the crystal and it can result in fluorescence. There are various known colors of fluorescence, most commonly found is blue. Although many in the industry view fluorescence as a negative effect, research has proven otherwise.

Fluorescence in a diamond is an emission of light viewed under the concentration of long-wave ultraviolet radiation of a UV lamp. The appearance of fluorescence in a diamond continues as long as it’s exposed under radiation, and not under normal lighting conditions. The strength of fluorescence is graded on a range of none, faint, medium, strong and very strong.

diamond_fluorescence-300x185 Diamonds — Diamond Fluorescence via GIA Study

Let’s see what are experts at GIA have to say regarding fluorescence. As the premier laboratory in diamond grading, GIA is widely respected world-wide and sets industry standards. They are highly recognized for strict diamond grading practices and continued research in gemology. As a leader in the industry, Knox Jewelers believes in this highly respected laboratory and primarily sells GIA diamonds.

Published in 1997 in GIA’s quarterly journal, Gem’s and Gemology, they offered insight on diamond fluorescence titled “A contribution to Understanding the Effect of Blue Fluorescence on the Appearance of a Diamond.” The relationship of detecting fluorescence in a diamond was observed in a series of experiments. The study consisted of trained graders, industry professionals, and general observers using very similar sets of four round brilliant diamonds. The diamonds ranged in color of near colorless to faint yellow and diamonds were selected with varying strengths of fluorescence in the diamond color they typically represent. The observers then viewed the stones in various positions and lighting environments.

The general observers in this experiment represented the average jewelry consumer. When they viewed the diamonds in standard light, the effect of fluorescence was not detected. Even experienced individuals within the jewelry industry did not consistently agreed upon the effects of fluorescence from one stone to another. At the end, the results proved that most observers saw no correlation between fluorescence and transparency.

This study revealed that strong blue fluorescent diamonds actually appeared better in color when viewed face-up, with no noticeable trend when the diamond was facing down. Other sources report that diamonds in lower color grades, I-N, with fluorescence tend to offset the body color of these stones. The fluorescence will actually mask the faint to light yellow color of a diamond.

However, not all diamonds will have this effect with fluorescence. Some will actually appear milky in transparency. This hazy appearance attributes to the negative perception of fluorescence. Diamonds graded with fluorescence can often reflect lower values than those of similar quality with no fluorescence.

At Knox, our recommend diamond range where quality meets value, does include fluorescence. If fluorescence is present in a diamond and does not hinder the overall beauty of a stone, it can sometimes be a better value. Diamonds with fluorescence may appear to the viewer better in color than the grade it was given and save money for our customers. A great value for your investment.

Knox Jewelers can guide you through GIA diamond reports, from the 4C’s to fluorescence or any questions you have. Visit one of our convenient metro locations, if you’re in Minneapolis check out our Uptown location. Living in St. Paul, our Woodbury gallery is located right off of I-94.