By Russ Rizzo
Why exactly is that little rock located on the finger of your loved one so valuable? Why do women love diamonds more than anything in the entire world? I’m not sure I have the expertise or psychic abilities to formulate an answer for the latter question, but let’s take a moment to discuss the first inquiry, shall we?
Diamonds, the hardest substance known to man, were first presented to Indian royalty around 800 BC, and were used as a form of trade and currency for, literally, centuries on centuries. It is estimated that, while diamond production is increasing with each passing year, only 350 tons have ever been mined in recorded history to date. So, by all accounts, diamonds are rare, and also hold a storied tradition unlike any other. Couple this rarity and tradition with the fact that only 50% of mined diamonds hold enough merit to be labeled as gem quality, and you can begin to understand why women treasure these simplistic, yet extremely intricate pieces of rock.
From the time a diamond is mined until the exact moment it is placed on a women’s hand, it has assuredly touched the lives of hundreds of different people, as well as up to four of our worldly continents. The top four diamond-producing countries today, accountable for over 85% of the diamond population, are Australia, Zaire, Botswana, and the former Soviet Union. Ranking fifth is South Africa, followed by Namibia, Angola, Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Central African Republic, Tanzania, China, Indonesia, India, and Canada (Yes, Canada. You heard that correctly).
Diamonds are discovered underground and under water, meaning that skilled diamond miners are needed to excavate these precious diamonds. Further diamond experts are also needed to sift the diamonds aside from the remaining rock and ore. The sifting process can either be mechanically, using professional machinery, or manually, whereas the sifting is done by continuously filtering water using a screened wash pan filled with ore until the diamonds are exposed. While not many of these diamonds are considered gem quality, the remaining “inferior” pieces are not put to waste, but rather utilized in industrial quality machinery because of their high density. Next, skilled gem cutters are employed to examine loose gem-quality diamonds, and determine the type of cut or shape that suits them best. In fact, all diamonds lose half of their weight in the cutting process. For example, a 1.00 carat diamond actually started out as a 2.00 carat diamond, and so forth. The value of a gem-quality diamond ready for retail sale is based on its carat weight, cut, clarity, and color — known as the four c’s. Diamonds possessing high scores in each of these categories are highly sought-after and extremely valuable.
At MB Jewelry Design, we pride ourselves in creating the most unique, hand-crafted diamond design that is sure to wow the senses of that special woman in your life. If you have any further questions regarding diamonds, or simply want to discover how MB can help you discover the piece you’ve been searching for, give us a call at 248-671-0087, or stop in and visit our knowledgeable staff at 6600 Telegraph Road in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. We look forward to seeing you soon!