What is the Kimberley Process Certification

Also known as conflict diamonds, A blood diamond is a diamond that was mined in a war zone that is sold most of the time to benefit war-torn areas especially in Central and Western Africa. United Nations defines a blood diamond as "...diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council."

Blood Diamonds are mined on war sites, where many men where killed. Many people are trying to stop the sale of blood diamonds. Blood Diamond sales became big in the 1990's with the conflict of Sierra Leone. During this time frame in the 1990's the blood diamond sales made up an estimated 4% of all diamond sales around the world. Today due to sales being banned in some areas, and the Kimberley Process, these diamonds take up around an estimated 1% of the worlds diamond sales. This majority of this small percentage is made up of sales in the Republic of Congo who was suspended from the Kimberley Process, and Liberia and the Ivory coast who are under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions in hopes to stop the extraction and trading of these diamonds.

During July of 2000, the global diamond industry made their disposition of blood diamonds blatantly known all over the world. Highly concerned with abolishing the problem, they began to work very closely with the United Nations and other organizations in efforts stop the extraction and trading of blood diamonds. In 2003 in order to get closer to stopping sales and extraction of the diamonds, the Kimberley Process Certification was created. This system protects against blood diamonds entering the sanctioned diamond supply chain.

To learn more about Blood Diamonds, visit www.thediamondblog.org

Secrets To Purchasing An Elegant Diamond Engagement Ring

The diamond can be selected first or last, there is no right or wrong order. Some people prefer to choose their diamonds first and then find a setting that will accentuate its beauty. Others choose to pick out the setting initially and then search for a diamond, or diamonds, that will adorn that setting. And there are still others that find it much easier to buy a diamond engagement ring that is already finished completely.

Diamonds all look beautiful. Even cheap diamonds can look elegant and classy. If you want your diamond engagement ring to look as elegant as you've always dreamed it would be the most important thing is to locate a fine setting. It's this choice of setting that will determine whether the finished product is a worthy purchase. Your choice of diamonds and setting is very important because ideally you won't get a second chance at choosing your diamond engagement ring.

Many women choose diamond engagement rings that have three stone settings. These rings will usually include one center diamond and two smaller offset diamonds. Three stone settings are very popular and can include either prong or bezel settings which can be made of 14k or 18k yellow gold, white gold or platinum.

Some women prefer classic solitaire settings that may include 4 to 6 prongs, bezel or cathedral settings. There is a wide assortment of solitaire settings. As a general rule the more prongs you have the safer the diamond engagement ring sets. You certainly don't want to lose a diamond because one of the prongs breaks off. So this is something to consider when choosing your setting.

When shopping for a diamond it's important to purchase a certified stone. A certified diamond has been evaluated by an independent expert that will give it a quality rating for its cut, color, clarity and carats. This is the surest way to purchase a high quality diamond. After finding a center diamond and complimentary diamonds to your liking the next step is to find that beautiful setting you've always dreamed of.

Another thing to consider when shopping for a diamond engagement ring is the current trend. Many women will end up purchasing a style of ring that is currently popular only to find out 10 years later that it's no longer in style. You have to remember that this wedding ring will be worn forever hopefully so choosing a classic style may be more to your liking.

It's also smart to consider the practicality of the engagement ring. If you plan on wearing the ring daily it may be wise to purchase a sturdier ring that can withstand the daily rigors of your job or activities. You should determine the amount of wear and tear your ring will endure and select a ring that is up to the punishment.

Other things to consider are the metal your wedding band or engagement ring will be made from. Some women prefer the look of yellow gold while others prefer white gold. Some forego gold altogether and go with platinum, a very popular style these days. Or you can go with a combination, a two-tone gold with some yellow and some white. It's purely a personal preference.

But something to consider is that two-tone gold may be easier to match with other jewelry that you may wear. Another question that brides-to-be often have a hard time deciding is whether or not they should buy a name brand ring or not. It's usually fairly easy to find comparable rings cheaper if you do not go with a name brand. On the other hand it's sometimes nice to be able to flaunt an expensive name brand ring. The choice is yours.

This article is brought to you by My Diamond Engagement Ring, an online source for quality diamond engagement rings. For more information please visit our site.

For the diamond chart click here.

What You Need to Know About Diamond Grading

Diamond Grading is important if you're in the market to purchase loose diamonds. When shopping around make sure the diamond comes with a grading report from an accredited grading lab.

The two most widely recognized diamond grading labs in the world are the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and American Gem Society (AGS). These two labs are reputable for being fair about their diamond grading. Because they don't sell diamonds they do not gain anything from the grade that they give a particular diamond.

There are many other grading labs in the world that want to give your diamond a grade report. Be skeptical of smaller, not-so-well known labs. There are certain labs that may have an interest in the grade of your diamond; many of them have been known to be more lenient when it comes to diamonds from certain sellers.

In your diamond grading report you'll find individualized information about your diamond. The report will tell you the measurements, cut, weight, color and quality of your loose diamond. Everything in the report is for your diamond only; it's often referred to as the diamonds finger print.

Many people are confused as to why there is nothing about the gem's monetary value in the report. This is because the grading certificate is not for the purpose of placing a dollar amount on your diamond. Instead it tells you all about the diamond. If you take this report to different gemologists, each one may have a slight difference in price.

Though it doesn't tell you exactly what the diamond is worth it's important to get a diamond grading report. This will determine which diamond is of better value for you. Place the diamond grading report somewhere safe in case you have to have your jewel taken into the shop or in case it's stolen. This report will ensure that you get your original diamond back from the shop or if it's recovered it will prove that it is in fact yours.

Diamond grading is just one of the many helpful tips that Shayna has to offer those in the diamond market. If you'd like to learn more important information about diamond grading visit her at http://online-jewelry-guide.com

Or visit the diamond guide

Diamonds-Girl's Best Friend?

Is It A Real Diamond?

By Lesley-Ann Graham

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend and that it is the true symbol of love. Their sparkle makes them absolutely attractive to the ladies. A diamond takes time to form; and skill to shape and perfect - just as relationships are. They say nothing compares to a diamond. They are rare and precious gems.

But are you sure that what you gave your fiancé is really a diamond? It may look like a diamond, shine like a diamond, yet be anything but this costly gem. It may not even cost half of what you paid for it.

There are now many imitation diamonds out in the market. It is difficult to tell with the naked eye that the stone one is holding is the real thing or not. They are usually very well made. The best known imitation diamonds are moissanite and cubic zirconia.

Moissanite is a synthetic gem. It is not a fake diamond at all. It is a mineral that appears very similar to a diamond.

Moissanite is made in a laboratory using silicon carbide crystals. They have a more brilliant shine than diamonds. They are also less expensive, usually costing a mere 10th of the cost of the real thing.

Moissanite was discovered in the late 1800's in Arizona, at the bottom of a meteor crater. It wasn't until 1995 that it was discovered that there was a way to make these stones into jewelry. The process was perfected and cutting styles that would allow the moissanite to truly sparkle were crafted.

Moissanite stones are popular with couples who are working on a tight budget and want a ring with a bigger stone. That it sparkles so beautifully is a plus in their book. It is also pretty strong stone and is quite close to a diamond in hardness. Buyers should know though that moissanite tends to have greenish or grayish tint instead of being colorless.

Cubic Zirconia on the other hand was discovered in 1937 by two German scientists. It is created by heating and combining yttrium oxide and zirconium oxide in a complicated process perfected in 1970. To the naked and untrained eye, it would be difficult to distinguish a real diamond from a cubic zirconia stone if the imitation piece is well cut.

The most famous name in the retail of cubic zirconia is Swarovski and Co. Being less costly than the real gem; cubic zirconia has been used by the wealthy, the elite and the celebrities to decorate almost any fashion piece from jewelry to bags to clothes. There's even a motorcycle encrusted with it owned by socialite turned actress, Paris Hilton.

If you want to get a diamond and want to avoid purchasing an imitation piece, you need to find yourself an honest jeweler. You also need to learn the basics of buying a diamond (namely the four C's - cut, clarity, color and carat). Best of all, make sure that you get a certificate issued by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) identifying the uniqueness of your diamond.

Will your fiancée mind if you gave her an imitation gem? Only if you told her it was the real thing, would be our guess. After all, everybody hates to learn that they have been deceived. Better to let her make the choice and work within your budget.

Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com - a valuable wedding planning resource with articles, tips and advice to help you plan your perfect wedding. The Bride, Groom, Best Man, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen can find it all at http://www.WeddingTrix.com

Princess Cut Diamonds

Choose the cut that best suits you. If you have a broader face you'll probably look best with princess cut diamond studs.

The Princess Cut diamond is more forgiving of diamond flaws. Any inclusions are less visible and any slight yellowish color is less noticeable.

The Princess cut is also called a square or rectangular modified brilliant in GIA grading reports. It is the most popular fancy shaped diamond. Its beautiful brilliance and unique cut makes it a favorite for engagement rings.

Princess Shape diamonds are for people who love the sparkle and brilliance associated with round shape diamonds, but prefer the shape of a square. With Princess Shape diamonds, one does have to sacrifice the fire that the Asscher and Emerald Shape diamonds often lose. In Fact, the Princess Shape diamond can be just as dazzling as an ideally proportional Round Shape diamond, with lots of light and sparkle.

What to watch out for is that the setting for your princess cut diamond protects the four pointed corners as these are the points prone to chipping. A recommendation for a good princess cut diamond is having a depth percentage range of 58-80% and table of 58-77%.

Look for Princess Cut Diamond HERE

How to Buy A Diamond Engagement Ring

First do some homework. Since you will probable be looking for a diamond engagement ring learn the 4 C's of diamonds; Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color.

Another thing to consider when shopping for a diamond engagement ring is the current trend. Many women will end up purchasing a style of ring that is currently popular only to find out 10 years later that it's no longer in style.

Throughout history diamond engagement rings have become larger, more elaborate, and have included a wide variety of other jewels and metals. Diamond engagement rings settings can be made of silver, platinum, white or yellow gold or a mixture of these elements.

What ever you spend what ever diamond shape, center stone, and setting you decide on make sure it is an informed decision. You are about to invest a lot of time, love ,and money into this investment of a life time. Your investment should not be a mis-informed one.

Now Spend some time and learn about diamonds from the Diamond Guide

Why purchase your diamond online?

You’ll almost always save money buying online, as the markup is considerably lower. Diamonds, for instance, carry a profit margin of 30 to 40 percent in retail stores vs. 10 to 15 percent sold via Internet jewelers. Since diamonds are now graded according to the same widely recognized standard (scores are assigned for color, clarity, carat weight, and cut), it’s easier to comparison shop than ever. Consumers should not be shy about haggling for a lower price or pitting one jeweler against another to see if they’re willing to meet or beat a competitor’s price for the stone with the particular specifications you’re interested in.

Pay for your purchase with a major credit card to take advantage of the card issuer’s dispute-resolution policy if something goes wrong. And be sure you can return the item for a refund, and have a reasonable amount of time to do so. A week is the bare minimum.

If your purchase involves considerable expense, you’ll also want a grading or identification report from a major lab such as the Gemological Institute of America. The report, which describes the gem in detail, also reveals whether its been “treated.” Most valuable stones come with a report. If not, you can hire the GIA or other reputable lab to issue one.

Looking for a reputable online seller, VISIT HERE!

Conflict Diamonds

As a consumer and potential buyer of diamonds you are right in being concerned about the ethics of diamond mining and trade. You may already know about the 4 Cs but there is an increasing awareness of the so called 5th C - Conflict Diamonds, especially since the release of the film "The Blood Diamond" featuring Leonardo di Caprio and Amnesty International's campaign "Are you looking for the perfect diamond". What Are Conflict Diamonds?

Conflict diamonds, also known as "blood" diamonds, are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments. Profits from the trade in conflict diamonds, worth billions of dollars, were used to buy arms during the devastating wars in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Côte d'IvoireWhile the wars in Angola, Liberia and Sierra Leone are now over and fighting in the DRC has decreased, the problem of conflict diamonds hasn't gone away. Diamonds mined in rebel-held areas in Côte d'Ivoire, a West African country in the midst of a volatile conflict, are reaching the international diamond market. Conflict diamonds from Liberia are also being smuggled into neighbouring countries and exported as part of the legitimate diamond trade.

The Kimberly Process

Kimberleyprocess

The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme that regulates the trade in rough diamonds. It was launched in 2000 by several southern African countries. Its aim is to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds, while helping to protect the legitimate trade in rough diamonds. A Kimberley Process certificate, guaranteeing diamonds as conflict-free, accompanies all official shipments of rough diamonds to and from participating countries.

To support this, the international diamond industry agreed to a voluntary system of warranties to ensure diamonds continued to be tracked right up to the point of sale. All invoices for the sale of rough diamonds should now include a written guarantee that states they are conflict-free. Our Guarantee

Pomeroi only use and supply conflict-free diamonds and only deal with suppliers that provide this guarantee. We can trace the origin of all our diamonds and we are happy to supply you with a written guarantee that our diamonds are conflict free should you wish to receive one.

More information on an introduction to diamonds; http://www.pomeroi.co.uk/jewellery-articles/diamonds---introduction.cfm