Diamond Rings FAQs
How are diamonds formed?
Diamonds are made up of carbon atoms that have been exposed to intense heat and pressure over the duration of billions of years. With time, the pressure has built up and the diamonds have been forced toward the surface of the earth in a volcanic explosion. This explosion creates an enormous, deep hole which is called a “pipe.” This is where most diamonds settle and are more accessible by human hands. Other diamonds are washed away by water or erosion, and often settle into coastal waters. These diamonds are called alluvial deposits.
How is a diamond cut?
A recently mined diamond will actually more closely resemble a piece of glass than the shiny gems seen in jewelry commercials. To achieve this end result requires the skills of a diamond cutter.
Astonishingly, much of the work of diamond cutting is still performed by hand using the exacting techniques that have been used for generations. Though, it should be added that some precise, computerized machinery has been developed to help with this process.
First of all, cleaving or sawing is used to separate the original rough into smaller pieces that are easier to work. The second step is bruting, which grinds away the edges, and outlines the overall shape of the diamond. Afterward, faceting is done in two sub-steps: during blocking, the main facets are cut; and after that, the upper girdle and lower girdle facets are added.
Finally, once the diamond has been fully faceted, it is boiled in hydrochloric acids to remove dust and oil.
How can I tell if a diamond has been mined and produced in an ethically stable way?
The U.N. introduced the Kimberley Process which mandated that diamond-producing countries document where the diamonds come from to avoid channeling money to revolutionary groups. However, though the Kimberley Process has had some success in limiting blood diamonds, that sort of diamond is still out there. Unfortunately, it is relatively easy to smuggle diamonds across African borders. Secondly, in some cases diamonds are mined in a violent way in countries not considered to be at war, and thus not subject to the Kimberley Process.There are other groups that are organized to guard against this. The Canadian Government set up the Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct which works to authenticate Canadian diamonds by utilizing a strict tracking system. Other governments are likely to follow suit. Whatever your method, if you are looking to buy a diamond, make sure you do all that you can to ensure that you are not buying a blood/conflict diamond.
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